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City of Baltimore, MD
Reducing energy and operational costs by $60 million
At a Glance
- $60.8 million — Estimated energy and operational savings from energy efficiency improvements and use of renewable energy sources over the 15-year term of the performance contract.
- 50 — The number of buildings undergoing energy and operational improvements.
- 20% — The City’s anticipated energy use reduction – exceeding the 15% target set under the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act.
The challenge: Reduce energy consumption, utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions
In the face of rising energy costs, the City of Baltimore, Maryland, wanted to reduce energy and operational expenses in more than 50 buildings, and become more environmentally friendly and sustainable. As a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, its goals were clear:
- Reduce energy consumption 15 percent by 2015
Baltimore aims to reduce its building energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent, by the year 2015 to comply with the EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency Act. - Use more renewable energy power
Baltimore plans to produce at least 40 percent of its power from renewable energy sources to meet Maryland’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which calls for 20 percent of the state’s electricity to be produced from renewable sources by 2022.
Johnson Controls is working with the City to help achieve these goals. Through a series of upgrades and energy efficiency improvements, Baltimore expects to save more than $60 million in energy and operational costs over the next 15 years.
The solution: A combination of energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy projects financed with savings produced by these projects
Building on a rich 20-year history of working together, Johnson Controls is helping the City of Baltimore lower energy costs and reduce carbon emissions in 50 of its largest energy-using buildings – among them courthouses, fire stations, office buildings, City Hall and a wastewater treatment plant. These projects are being implemented under an energy savings performance contract through which Johnson Controls guarantees savings that equal or exceed the costs of the projects.
The projects include renewable energy solutions in City Hall, courthouses, fire stations and office buildings. At the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, methane gas produced by the waste treatment process helps generate 20 percent of the power necessary to operate the facility. A new solar energy array will supply even more of the power needed while reducing carbon emissions and the amount of electricity the City purchases from the local utility.
The City and Johnson Controls are also collaborating on government building efficiency improvements at other City facilities, including:
- Installing energy-efficient lighting systems
- Upgrading to more energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment and systems
- Deploying the Johnson Controls Metasys® building management system at selected facilities to monitor, control and optimize equipment and system performance for maximum efficiency
Results and benefits
These projects are expected to save the City of Baltimore an estimated $60.8 million in energy and operational costs over the 15-year term of the performance contract. Because of those savings, the City is able to perform much-needed improvements and maintenance that had been deferred due to budget constraints.
As a result of these projects, the City is on course to become 20 percent more energy-efficient by 2015, exceeding the 15 percent goal set by EmPOWER Maryland, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The improved municipal buildings and facilities provide more productive work environments for City employees and more comfortable surroundings for everyone who visits these facilities.
Since the savings generated by the energy efficiency and operational improvements at least equal the cost of the projects, the City can use its financial resources to enhance the services it provides to residents, visitors and businesses.
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.
