Go to report:
September 2010
August 2009
Report date: September 2010
Two large scale solar systems were completed 12/23/09. A 171.99 kW DC solar photovoltaic system with 882 panels was installed on the roof of Rippowam School and is on target to produce 202,282 kWh of renewable energy annually. A 65.52 kW DC solar PV system with 336 panels was installed on the roof of the Highway Department facility and is on target to produce 79,600 kWh of renewable energy annually.
Two Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant projects are in progress:
- For the $500,000 grant for conversion of the street light system to high efficiency LED lighting - testing of sample fixtures is still ongoing, with several samples being reviewed in the Cove Island Parking lot. A bid for materials will be issued in September with the first installations expected this fall.
- For the $220,537 grant for school lighting retrofits and energy management system installations at Vehicle Maintenance and Central Firehouse, an RFQ #546 for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Services was issued on 6/22. A total of 27 vendors responded and pre-qualification will be complete by September.
Purchases of wholesale generation electricity were implemented through MCEnergy with RBS/Sempra for the Board of Education, Municipal Accounts, the WPCA, and Street Light accounts for the July, 2010 through July, 2013 period. Rates were hedged at 50%-60% with the resulting cost savings estimated to be at least 8-10% compared to the 2009/2010 year.
A Silver Summer Savers Award from the State of Connecticut was received for the lighting renovations which were implemented at the Police Headquarters. A demand reduction of 38kW and 41,776 kWh was verified from May-September of 2009 compared to the previous summer.
Damages from the March 13th/14th storm required 38 street lights fixtures to be partially or wholly replaced. A total of 1,395 street light repairs or replacements were made during the year by Nxegen – which is the highest annual total in recent years, due to storms from January and March, 2010.
Street lighting improvements included 12 new aluminum poles on Harbor Drive, 4 decorative lights at Hatchfield Park, decorative additions on Main Street and Atlantic Street when sidewalks were replaced, and 6 new decorative lights on the Richmond Hill Bridge. Recommendations for streetscape lighting design were provided for Mill River Park, Scalzi Park, and Palmers Square. Assisted with the coordination and design of the phased installation of over 430 new decorative fixtures in the South End for the Harbor Point project.
A two day energy efficient lighting sale was held April 27th and 28th in the lobby of the Government Center, with 3,414 compact fluorescent and LED products sold.
Report date: August 2009
Two grants were received from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund for solar projects. The design for a 171.99 kW DC solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Rippowam School received a grant for $606,822, and a 65.52 kW DC solar PV system at the Highway Department at 90 Magee Ave. received a grant for $330,440. Both projects are also being funded by $2 million in Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. Construction was started by Sun Edison on August 7, 2009.
An Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) for $1.186 million was applied for in June through the Department of Energy. Four projects were chosen by committee for the funding:
- $500,000 for conversion of the street light system to high efficiency induction or LED lighting
- $223,523 for a fuel cell and engine hybrid power plant at the Government Center
- $220,537 for school lighting retrofits at 13 schools, group relamping at 5 schools and energy management system installations at Vehicle Maintenance and Central Firehouse
- $123,340 for two solar powered electric vehicle charging stations downtown
- $118,600 for administrative expenses for staffing
A study of electric consumption at 19 schools prepared for the Board of Education Facilities Committee showed a reduction of 1,132,223 kilowatt hours or 5% from 2008 compared to 2007, at a cost savings of $191,346. Reductions were achieved through the installation of the Verdiem computer management software as well as more effective control of existing energy management systems. Electricity cost savings through wholesale purchasing with RBS/Sempra at seven schools was approximately $152,274 in 2008. An additional 10 schools are now on the RBS/Sempra contract through 2009.
Interior lighting efficiency improvements were implemented at the Town Yard at 110 Haig Ave., Highway Department at 90 Magee Ave., and at Police Headquarters at 805 Bedford St. Total project costs were $82,151 with funding from CL&P of $26,051. Annual energy savings are estimated at 138,457 kilowatt hours or $23,538.
Decorative lighting renovations included replacing fifty six 250-watt metal halide lights on Stillwater Avenue with high efficiency 85-watt induction lights. The annual energy savings is 49,966 kilowatt hours or $8,994. Another 22 lights were replaced at the Cummings beachfront. Savings from replacing fixtures with two 175-watt sodium lights to new decorative 85-watt induction lights is 30,586 kilowatt hours or $5,055 annually.
Six new decorative streetscape lights were installed in front of the CTE Community Center on Henry Street.
Three 30ft. box lights on Main Street were replaced with 10ft.decorative streetscape lights. Recommendations for new streetscape lighting were also made for developments on Prospect St., Metro Green Apartments on Atlantic & Henry, Fairfield Ave., and Hatchfield Park.
At the request of the Cove Island Wildlife Sanctuary, 19 lights along the Cove Island Marina were replaced with full cut-off lights and converted from 400-watt sodium to 100-watt induction. Energy savings are 28,544 kilowatt hours or $5,138 annually, and the new fixtures have been well received.
Other street lighting improvements included adding lights to the railroad underpass on Greenwich Ave., and replacing 22 old cast iron fixtures and 5 bases on Summer, Broad, Bedford, and Hoyt streets. Half-night street lighting technologies are also being tested on three streets for a potential new rate through CL&P. The installation of special photocells which turn off every other light at midnight was installed on 26 lights. Residents were informed and three concerns were received prior to the installation. Since the installation, no calls or concerns have been reported.
A total of 1,064 standard street light repairs or replacements were made during the year by Nxegen.