ESPC Step C - Project Implementation

Work Phase I - Comprehensive Energy Efficiency and Building Modernization Program & Two Solar Projects:

 

Project Managers. Honeywell International's Project Manager and the Division of Energy and Asset Management (namely - Division Director and Chief Clerk of the Works), the City’s designated project manager for the Municipal Energy Savings Project, are in regular and frequent contact throughout implementation phases to discuss the status and resolve any issues that come up as the work progresses. 

Sub-Vendors. More than a dozen sub-vendors, many of them local companies (including WF Lynch, Ostrow Electric, Grodsky & Co., and Coghlin Electric), employing hundreds of union employees, worked on this project.

Work Phase I took place over 5 years (2011-2015) across 92 City-owned buildings. Most of the work was completed by 2014 and included such ECMs as insulation, weather sealing, heating/cooling system upgrades (conversion from oil to natural gas where possible, installation of more energy efficient equipment, etc.), and installation of a computer power management system.

Additionally, two solar projects at Worcester Technical High School (256 kW DC) and Sullivan Middle School (186 kW DC) were completed in 2014.

Tying-in the building systems of 50 municipal facilities to a sophisticated control system with real-time electricity usage was completed in September 2015.

Some specific examples include installing new boilers at 6 schools, completing building envelope projects (insulation and air sealing) at 7 schools, and upgrading and installing energy management control systems at 36 "high-energy" use schools. The City Hall boiler has been converted from oil to natural gas and replaced, and a new chiller installed to serve the building and the Oval (i.e. the ice rink on the common). 

                                      

Work Phases II, III, IV - Solar Projects and Lighting Retrofits

Between 2013 and 2014, the original scope of work was amended three times to expand the work from primarily building energy efficiency ECMs to lighting efficiency and renewable energy projects. 

Eight PV installations on public school properties were completed in 2016.

Solar farm at the Greenwood Landfill and streetlight and garage lighting retrofits were completed in 2017.

Solar Energy Installations (Work Phases II-IV)

9 New Solar Projects:

  • Solar installations at 8 public schools and associated white roof coating application to 4 school roofs, extending roofs' lifespan by 20 years (guaranteed), and
  • Solar installation at the former Greenwood Street Landfill (8.1 MW-DC)

Installation of the Parking Canopy Solar PV System - Sullivan Middle School, Worcester, MA - winter 2015-2016

Municipal Lights' Retrofits to LED (Work Phase IV) 

  • Lighting Retrofit Project for all ~14,000 City-owned streetlights to LEDs
  • Lighting Retrofit Project at four municipal parking garages to LEDs


Hamilton Street before and after the conversion to LED lighting

Work Phase V - Building Lighting Efficiency

In 2020, the City started a large-scale lighting efficiency projects in its 67 buildings - 48 schools, 9 fire stations, and 10 municipal buildings. Consistent with Worcester’s green goals, this very large lighting efficiency municipal project commenced in August, 2020. As part of the city’s Energy Conservation Performance Contract, the project includes replacing existing old fluorescent lighting with high efficiency, motion-sensored LEDs. The project’s value is approximately $8 million, avoiding over 4 million kWh and 2,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, while improving light quality for city’s students, employees and visitors.

Local workers from Delsignore Electrical Contractors Inc., subcontracted by Honeywell, have spent 20 hours changing out Midland Elementary School’s 169 lights last week. Ethan McMahon, foreman, is being assisted by Scott Perkins, the apprentice.

Lights's Bulbs and Drivers - before and after, side by side

 

Next Step D: Measurement & Verification