Federal Facility To Save $79 Million in Energy Costs Over 2 Decades

The Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumterville, Fla., is one of the largest prison complexes in the country, with more than 2.4 million square feet housing upward of 7,400 inmates.

A facility that size uses a tremendous amount of energy, and much of it was going to waste due to aging, inefficient infrastructure.

In two years, however, it will reduce its total energy intensity by more than a third and cut its water intensity in half. That’s because the federal government recently awarded Constellation a contract to implement energy costs and water conservation measures expected to save $79 million over the next two decades. The federal government will use those savings to fund the $45 million project over the term of the 19-year contract.

The project includes the construction of a 2-megawatt solar array designed to offset some of the complex’s reliance on coal-fired energy.

Other upgrades include:

• Installing high-efficiency (LED) lighting
• Implementing building automation controls to reduce usage during off-peak hours
• Efficiency upgrades to the chiller plant and cooling tower
• Upgrades to the hot water heating system
• High-efficiency transformers
• Low-flow toilets and faucets
• Refrigeration upgrades

The upgrades are designed to enable the complex to conserve an estimated 18 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 194 million gallons of water each year. This avoids the emission of more than 323,000 tons of carbon dioxide over the term of the 19-year contract, which is equal to taking 68,000 cars off the road!

Work is scheduled to be complete in 2017.

In addition to reducing energy usage and saving costs, this project will ensure the complex has a more stable, secure supply of energy for the future, said John Dukes, executive director of federal and public sector sales for Constellation.

Constellation has helped commercial customers and public agencies throughout the United States to implement energy efficiency programs. We are one of only nine energy service providers accredited by the National Association of Energy Services Companies (NAESCO), a distinction that means we bring a full range of energy efficiency services to each project.

It means our customers can count on us to assist with:

• Energy audits
• Designing, building and maintaining renewable energy sources, such as solar projects
• Developing and building distributed generation, cogeneration or combined heat and power projects
• Project financing
• Operating and maintaining energy efficiency technologies, such as building automation
• Verifying energy savings
• Arranging energy supply contracts

We make it much more affordable to build renewable energy projects like the solar array we’re building for the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex by allowing customers to pay over the term of the contract with the money they save, rather than footing the bill upfront.

We also help companies secure state and federal rebates or tax incentives for these projects when available, further offsetting construction costs.

When you work with us, you have access to a team of experts and tools to advise you on the best ways to manage costs over time, including energy efficiency upgrades and strategic energy purchasing options.

Want to learn more about how your government agency or facility can reduce your energy usage and save money? Contact us today.