Ameresco to implement energy efficiency measures at McAllen Independent School District

Greentech Lead in America: Ameresco, a provider of
renewable energy solutions, announced an Energy Savings Performance Contract
(ESPC) with the McAllen Independent School District (McAllen ISD), one of the
largest districts in the Rio Grande Valley. The energy efficiency measures are
expected to save McAllen ISD more than $1.2 million annually over the term of
the contract. 

Ameresco’s ESPC was able to stretch McAllen ISD’s dollars
into more than $16 million of infrastructure renewal. McAllen ISD is now
able to make critical upgrades to its energy infrastructure and increase energy
efficiency without bearing the burden of initial capital investment from
taxpayers.

The ESPC model enables budget-neutral energy efficiency
upgrades by guaranteeing a minimum level of energy savings over the term of the
contract. Ameresco coordinates the upfront project costs, and the customer
repays that investment with their energy savings over time.

“Ameresco understood our sense of urgency and was able to
work quickly with the District team on a transparent basis to address our
critical needs. The performance contract concept and Ameresco’s expertise has
allowed us to leverage resources, make improvements, and implement conservation
measures otherwise not possible in these economic times,” said Mike Barrera,
assistant superintendent of District Operations for McAllen ISD.  

Ameresco has identified 17 energy conservation measures
to increase energy efficiency throughout McAllen ISD. Ameresco has begun
construction on energy efficiency measures at 39 facilities district wide in
McAllen, Texas.

Ameresco will begin to implement
this month including retrofit 39,958 light fixtures, install 4,494 automatic
lighting controls and power management scripts for 10,000 computers, replace
1,003 sink aerators with low flow aerators and failing roofs at four schools,
install 121 internet-enabled programmable thermostats in portable buildings and
16 air curtains for kitchen backdoors and replace 118 split system heating and
air conditioning units and five chillers.

“What the McAllen Independent School District will be
able to accomplish through this contract is a testament to what a performance
contract can do to stretch diminished budget dollars. Whether a school district
has received bonds, utility incentives or not, Ameresco can leverage these
dollars with energy savings into greater upgrades of aging infrastructure,”
said B.N. Tripathi, vice president at Ameresco.  

The project will also eliminate the production of 6,498
tons of carbon dioxide each year. This annual reduction is equivalent to
removing 1,226 cars from the road, or powering 702 homes.

Recently, Ameresco signed an agreement 
with Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) to design, build and maintain a $47.5
million innovative wastewater biogas-to-energy facility.

editor@greentechlead.com