Home > Case Studies >
City of Grand Junction, CO
Grand Junction becomes more energy-efficient, reduces costs and improves city facilities
At a Glance
- $1.2 million — Estimated energy and operational savings from energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy projects at facilities throughout the city of Grand Junction.
- 19% — Reduction the city of Grand Junction can now make in its annual energy budget.
- 626 tons — Reduction in the city’s carbon emissions resulting from energy and fuel conservation and the deployment of renewable solar energy technology.
The challenge: Find affordable ways to make the city’s facilities more energy-efficient and sustainable
The city of Grand Junction, Colorado is committed to making its facilities more energy-efficient and less impactful on the environment, and it has put that commitment in writing in a formal resolution to conserve energy. To this end, Grand Junction set some ambitious goals: a 20 percent reduction in energy usage and a 10 percent reduction in water consumption in all city facilities by the year 2012. The city formed a team called CORE (for Conserving Our Resources Efficiently) to monitor conservation initiatives and seek out additional energy- and water-saving opportunities.
The solution: Make comprehensive improvements to city facilities that generate energy and operational savings, offsetting the cost of those improvements
Johnson Controls conducted a six-month audit of Grand Junction’s facilities and worked with the CORE team to evaluate potential solutions. Under a 15-year energy savings performance contract, funding for the selected solutions would come from the energy and operational savings they were projected to generate. Accordingly, the CORE team opted to make improvements only at facilities that would still be in use at the end of the contract’s 15-year term. These improvements included a broad range of energy efficiency upgrades including lighting retrofits, occupancy sensors, programmable thermostats, and high-efficiency HVAC systems at selected facilities. They also included building envelope improvements such as caulking, sealing, and weather stripping to prevent heat and cooling loss, and low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water.
Because public pools need to be heated, they consume a tremendous amount of energy. The solutions for this issue were a new, more efficient boiler at the city’s public pool along with an innovative liquid pool cover which forms a protective film that inhibits water evaporation and heat loss.
Johnson Controls also implemented energy efficiency improvements at Grand Junction’s Persigo wastewater treatment plant, including a new boiler, high-efficiency lighting, and an HVAC system upgrade.
In addition to saving energy and money, the city of Grand Junction wanted to become more sustainable. So it engaged Johnson Controls to install solar photovoltaic systems at its visitor center and convention center. These renewable solar energy systems not only save energy and money and reduce the city’s carbon footprint; they also serve as a marketing tool promoting the city’s standing as a serious energy saver.
To further its municipal sustainability and conservation efforts, Grand Junction is working with Johnson Controls on implementing the company’s Sustainable Energy Education Communications program to promote awareness and motivate city employees to take actions that save energy and benefit the environment.
Results and benefits
The city of Grand Junction expects to lower energy costs and reduce its annual energy budget by 19 percent. Improvements at the wastewater treatment facility alone will save the city $23,000 a year in utility costs. The solar photovoltaic systems at the visitor and convention center generate from 5 to 15 kilowatts of electricity. The city will reduce water usage by 1.1 million gallons. Grand Junction is projected to realize $1.2 million in total energy and operational savings over the life of the contract. It will also become more environmentally friendly, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 626 tons, nitrous oxide emissions by 1,304 pounds, and sulfur dioxide emissions by 1,095 pounds.
As employees become more efficient, it saves the city and taxpayers money, and the employees themselves at home, too. It’s a great project for the city and the community.
– Kathy Portner, Neighborhood Services Manager, City of Grand Junction
Learn more
Johnson Controls can work with you to achieve your government energy efficiency and sustainability goals. Contact us to learn how to make your buildings work more efficiently, sustainably and profitably, or try our operations and energy savings calculator today.
