On November 6, 2013 in Mankato the Energy Service Coalition in Minnesota hosted a workshop for government, energy service company, and utility staff to talk about the Guaranteed Energy Savings Program (GESP), a technical and financial solution to install energy efficiency upgrades and renewable technologies in publicly owned buildings.
GESP utilizes energy performance contracting to identify, finance, and install energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy, with additional technical, financial, and contractual assistance by the Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources to help with the EPC process for the public sector, including local units of government.
The workshop addressed leveraging savings through utility rebates, EPC project financing, investment grade audit details, and the different options for measurement and verification. There were also EPC testimonials, to learn more about how previous EPCs went.
The energy performance contract success stories came from a variety of different players within the government sector, including Waconia Public Schools, City of Hutchinson, and University Minnesota Morris. The City of Hutchinson went through a project that cost $375,000 with guaranteed energy savings of $32,571 annually. Energy efficiency projects they installed included variable speed drives in their waste water treatment plant, lighting upgrades, and building controls. As a result of their upgrades, the city saved $60,272 annually, almost twice what they were expecting.
Looking to identify, finance, and install energy efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy projects with a publicly owned building? Consider the Guaranteed Energy Savings Program!
If you are a local government or school and are interested in learning more about GESP, contact:
Lindsay Wimmer
Guaranteed Energy Savings Program Outreach Coordinator
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs)
wimm0020@umn.edu or 612.625.9634
Click here to learn more about GESP >>
About the Local Government Energy Action Series:
This year-long effort tells the stories of nearly 50 Minnesota municipalities, counties, and schools and the tangible results of their energy-saving efforts to inspire others to take their own actions.
Local Government Energy Action is brought to you by the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resource
