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Fall 2023 Member News

(The following summaries may have been condensed)

 

CEG Solutions Completes Construction of ESPC Project for Baltimore County

Baltimore County recently accepted a high-impact ESPC project that was delivered by CEG Solutions. The project consists of seven ECMs that were implemented across two county facilities and are expected to significantly improve comfort, increase sustainability, and decrease utility costs and O&M burdens for the County.

Along with more traditional ECMs such as converting lighting fixtures to LEDs, upgrading domestic water fixtures, and implementing building controls strategies, CEG decommissioned the central steam plant at one of the facilities and replaced it with a new condensing boiler and infrared (IR) heaters. In contrast to the existing steam convection heaters (which used fans to direct heated air flow downward from the warehouse roof to the space), the IR heaters provide heat directly to the occupants and objects via long-wave radiation, reducing stratification and providing a more comfortable level of warmth throughout the space. CEG also installed a new central building automation system. This helps standardize equipment schedules and space temperatures, improves building functionality, and reduces electricity and natural gas consumption through equipment setbacks.

This project, which was paid from savings, is expected to avoid over 13,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions, reduce site energy consumption by more than half, extend the lifetime of equipment and systems, improve occupant comfort, and reduce the County’s O&M burden.

 

Dublin Unified School District Unveils $26 Million Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Project with ENGIE

Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) recently announced the unveiling of their $26 million sustainability and energy efficiency project during a ribbon-cutting event. Working with ENGIE North America (ENGIE), this project includes the installation of 4.5 megawatts (MW) of solar panels, HVAC upgrades, and the deployment of 66 electric vehicle ports across 12 schools and the district office, marking a significant milestone in the district's commitment to green initiatives and fiscal responsibility. The district-wide project also includes a student engagement program that features internships, a STEM education program, and a living laboratory.

The project showcases DUSD's dedication to providing a greener and healthier environment for students, staff, and the community. The comprehensive scope of this initiative encompasses several components including:

  • 4.5 MW of solar panels: The installation of solar panels in 13 district-wide locations will harness the power of the sun to generate clean, renewable energy.
  • HVAC system upgrades: The HVAC system upgrades will ensure optimal indoor air quality and temperature control, creating a comfortable and conducive learning environment for students and staff. These enhancements will also contribute to energy efficiency, reducing both costs and environmental impact.
  • Electric vehicle charging stations: The introduction of 33 level-two electric vehicle charging stations across schools promotes the adoption of sustainable transportation options among staff, students, and the community. It aligns with DUSD's commitment to supporting electric vehicle infrastructure and reducing emissions.

“Today marks a significant milestone for our District. We are thrilled to unveil a project that embodies our dedication to sustainability and responsible energy management. With the installation of solar panels, HVAC system upgrades, and the introduction of electric vehicle charging stations, we are taking substantial steps towards creating a greener, healthier environment for our students, staff, and our community. This initiative showcases our commitment to a more sustainable future, and we're excited to witness the positive impact it will have on our schools,” said Chris Hobbs, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

“This groundbreaking project is a testament to DUSD's vision for a sustainable future, reflecting its dedication to promoting environmental responsibility,” said Jean-Francois Chartrain, Managing Director, Energy Solutions Americas at ENGIE. “The anticipated benefits of this project extend far beyond environmental sustainability. Over a 25-year period, it is estimated that the project will yield a net savings of $30 million. These savings will be reinvested into educational programs, improving facilities, and enhancing the overall educational experience for students.”

 

ESPEN Technology Unveils Game-Changing Expansion with Revo™ Lighting Launch

Espen Technology recently introduced Revo™ Lighting, an innovative commercial and industrial light fixture brand. Revo offers a diverse range of luminaire types, signaling Espen's powerful leap into the competitive landscape of North America's lighting giants.

But that's not all – Espen has recently expanded its horizons with the launch of Outage Master for emergency and exit lighting, the thriving EspenEV for premium EV chargers, and a dynamic rebranding initiative. The revamped website and updated logo showcase Espen's renewed vigor, promising customers and the industry at large an era of enhanced value. Backed by colossal manufacturing capabilities, Espen is ready to illuminate projects of every size. Flemming Jensen, SVP of Sales & Marketing at Espen, emphasized the significance of the Revo™ Lighting launch, stating, “The introduction of Revo Lighting marks Espen's expansion beyond the indoor linear retrofit market, positioning us to compete with North America's lighting giants. We aim not only to challenge but to support our reps effectively, providing them with the ammunition they need." Jensen further emphasized Espen's commitment, saying, "Our goal is to be the easiest company to do business with, ensuring a seamless experience for our customers and Sales Rep partners as we illuminate a brighter future together." Get ready for a brighter future with Espen's groundbreaking offerings!

 

Johnson Controls Awarded DOE Grant to Accelerate U.S. Heat Pump Manufacturing

Johnson Controls has been awarded a $33 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains to help increase domestic production of electric heat pumps by expanding three U.S.-based manufacturing sites. Combined, these facilities will be able to produce approximately 200,000 electric heat pumps per year, representing a nearly 200% production increase. This substantial volume will help drive energy affordability and energy security, while helping combat climate change and creating new jobs.

"We are thrilled to participate in this program and help drive the enormous impact it will have on energy security, reliability and affordability while achieving unprecedented progress in slashing carbon. We also are excited to create 1,000 new family sustaining jobs – a great boost for the communities we call home," said Katie McGinty, vice president and chief sustainability and external relations officer, Johnson Controls.

The grant is part of the first award from DOE's authorization by the Biden Administration to utilize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase domestic production of five key clean energy technologies, including heat pumps. The Johnson Controls' project expands production of its York product line at its plants in San Antonio, Texas, Wichita, Kansas, and Waynesboro, Pennsylvania. Within these communities, Johnson Controls is partnering with local unions, economic development groups, and community colleges to expand internship, apprenticeship and long-term full time job opportunities.

Upon completion, Johnson Controls estimates the initiative will save 1.63 million metric tons of CO² emissions from residential heating and 25 million metric tons from commercial and industrial heating per year – the equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from more than 5.5 million gasoline-powered vehicles driven for one year. The investment also will highlight the versatility of heat pump applications, which, in North America, have historically been concentrated in the residential sector. To learn more about Johnson Controls heat pump technology, visit: johnsoncontrols.com/whatisaheatpump.

 

McClure Company Announces New Leadership Team Shayne Homan Promoted to President and CEO

Last fall, McClure Company announced that Shayne Homan, P.E., was promoted to President and CEO effective January 1, 2024. Chip Brown, P.E., President and CEO of McClure Company since 2001, will transition to President of Soesco, the holding company for McClure Company effective January 1, 2024.

Homan has led the Energy Services division of the company for the past 10 years to unprecedented growth, attracting top talent and an adaptable, innovative team. “McClure Company’s growth in revenue, services, and impact is due in large measure to Chip’s remarkable leadership,” says Homan. Brown joined McClure Company in 1984.

Additionally, McClure Company announced that Matt Dixon was promoted to Executive Vice President of Building Services. Dixon joined the company as a Graduate Mechanical Engineer from Penn State and has been instrumental in helping shape and strategically grow the company’s branch offices. As Vice President, he has led the company’s Building Services division since 2021.

Todd Hoffman was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations and began working at the company through the Local 520 Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship program. Hoffman held the position of Senior Project Manager and has served as the Vice President of Construction Operations since 2020.

Matt Tressler, P.E., was promoted to Executive Vice President of Preconstruction and Chief Operating Officer. Tressler, a Penn State Architectural Engineering graduate, interned with the company in 2000. He has held the position of Design Engineer and as Vice President managed the company’s estimating and preconstruction division. Since 2012, Tressler has been at the forefront of the company’s success in the healthcare and industrial sectors.

 

DOE Awards Prototype Phase L Prize to McWong for its Interoperable Bluetooth® Mesh Control Solution

McWong International announced that its Bluetooth® mesh wireless lighting control solution has been awarded the Prototype Phase Lighting Prize (L-Prize) by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award was announced on October 25, 2023.

The L Prize, first awarded by the DOE in 2011, is designed to advance the U.S. clean energy economy for next-generation LED lighting, encouraging innovators and researchers to engage in advanced lighting system development that leads to transformative designs, products, and impact. The Prototype Phase seeks prototype products, emphasizing technological innovation and presenting the opportunity and the challenge to think outside standard forms, materials, and price points of commercially available solutions.

McWong’s solution is founded on interoperable Bluetooth mesh capability to provide smart networked lighting control (NLC) that offers unprecedented flexibility and versatility. It offers robust LLLC control through a sleek Zhaga/D4i-compliant sensor/controller embedded in a luminaire that can deploy occupancy-based, daylighting, and scheduled control via web- and app-based interfaces. Because the controller is D4i compliant, the system can also provide vital energy and performance information from each luminaire. Compliant with the Bluetooth mesh specification, the system can be easily scaled over time by adding new Bluetooth mesh devices, re-configured via broadcast signal, or upgraded via over the air update. The company’s strategic partner Silvair collaborated with firmware and commissioning tool development, providing its market-leading expertise in Bluetooth mesh lighting control networks.

Stephen Zhou, Executive Vice President, commented, “The entire McWong team is proud to have contributed to this achievement. We look forward to continuing our work on this solution and bringing it to the marketplace soon.”

 

Metrus Energy Updates

In an article published on Utility Dive on 11/21/23, Metrus founder Bob Hinkle argued that the challenge of how to finance the world's climate-critical cooling needs can be solved through blended finance structures that combine funding from development-oriented agencies and private financing through Energy as a Service. Bob’s Utility Dive article is here.

Metrus recently announced the addition of Luke Kopyar to its Regional Sales team. With a strong résumé in the energy efficiency sector, Luke brings a proven ability to help customers achieve their sustainability and operational goals by unlocking the energy savings in their facilities to fund infrastructure improvements. Metrus’ LinkedIn post announcing Luke is here.

Last month, Metrus announced an increased investment in America Is All In, pledging $400 million toward sustainable energy projects. The commitment will support the Mission Efficiency initiative, which aims to double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. Metrus’ press release is here.

Metrus Energy announced that it is making a $100 million commitment to the Global Cooling Pledge, which advocates for nations to decrease their cooling-related emissions by a minimum of 68% by the year 2050. The initiative is being spearheaded by the Cool Coalition, and Metrus’ press release is here.

NGS Announces New Sustainability Director

NGS is pleased to introduce our new Sustainability Director, Kenneth Patterson II.

The sustainability director is a new role, one that signifies an exciting expansion in our company’s capabilities. The sustainability director will oversee the development of our new building sustainability solutions department.

Under Ken’s leadership, our building sustainability team will work with clients to identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency and lessening environmental impact. They’ll turn these opportunities into practical wins by working with partners and our in-house team to run models, procure financing, implement tools and technology, and monitor results after project completion.

Window film has long been our company’s bread and butter, and this will continue to be an important means by which we secure the building envelope and improve energy efficiency. Our new department will expand the focus to other opportunities for improving sustainability, including:

  • Roofing
  • Gasketing
  • Insulation
  • Window inserts
  • Radiant barriers
  • Electric vehicle charging
  • Renewable energy and storage
  • Generators
  • Lighting
  • Compressed air leaks and repairs
  • Water efficiency

Companies today are looking for efficiency-enhancing solutions, and each of these areas can be a key part of a comprehensive solution. According to one survey, 78 percent of firms are including energy efficiency upgrade projects in their upcoming two-year plans.

By considering the full breadth of a facility’s operations and energy usage, our building sustainability department can empower companies to revolutionize their efficiency and greatly enhance eco-friendliness, environmental responsibility, brand reputation, and their bottom line.

We’re pleased to install Kenneth Patterson II, CEM, CDSM, into the new role of sustainability director. With more than 35 years of experience in the energy industry, Ken is well-positioned to excel in this role and bring incredible value to our clients as they seek new ways to become more environmentally aware and energy-conscious.

From designing energy-saving fixtures and controls to manufacturing and sales, Ken has the breadth and depth of experience to approach sustainability concerns from a variety of angles and work toward innovative solutions.

Throughout his career, Ken has learned the ins and outs of energy efficiency and has helped countless companies find ways to lower their energy usage. We look forward to seeing Ken and his team bring this experience and solutions-oriented thinking to the table to help them make a real difference in their building sustainability.

NGS is excited to step into a new chapter of our business—one with expanded solutions for a more comprehensive approach to improving sustainability. We have the utmost confidence in our new sustainability director and look forward to hearing success stories from our clients as they turn inefficient commercial buildings into more eco-conscious and cost-effective facilities.

Schedule a Meeting With Ken, Today!

 

Streamlinx Tackles Deep Energy Retrofits

As an energy retrofit professional, you don’t need anybody to tell you about conventional energy retrofits.

But these are unconventional times when it comes to the demand for more energy efficiency especially for commercial and industrial buildings. That’s because, as Energystar.gov reports, those buildings are responsible for half of the nation’s energy use and nearly half of its greenhouse gas emissions. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that on average, 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted due to inefficiencies.

So, it is no surprise that deep energy retrofits are an increasingly popular topic of discussion among building owners and managers.  But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Continue reading

 

Ubicquia Announces Product and Staffing News

Prolec, has partnered with Ubicquia, an expert in intelligent utility infrastructure, to unveil the industry's first smart transformer with fully integrated intelligence. This innovative product offers real-time monitoring and advanced grid analytics, improving energy management and reliability. The collaboration has led to the integration of Ubicquia's UbiGrid™ DTM+ platform into Prolec’s transformers, facilitating proactive grid and supply chain intelligence. Set for commercial release in 2024, this smart transformer represents a significant advancement in the field of smart energy solutions. Read more here.

Ubicquia is pleased to announce Jeff McCammon has joined the Ubicquia team! As Vice President of Grid Sales, Jeff McCammon is responsible for the global electrical utility markets and the go-to-market strategy for Ubicquia’s smart grid products portfolio. With several years in technical sales, management and new business development for industry-leading brands, he has demonstrated success with securing major deals and leading teams to surpass customer expectations. His expertise spans utility, commercial, industrial, and renewable energy power systems, including smart grid technology solutions. Jeff is adept in business development, opening new markets for diverse electrical products, and has extensive experience in utility power delivery system applications and mission-critical power solutions.