07/29/24 - 107 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/7k7dpu47
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Montgomery Correctional Facility To Reduce Energy Costs
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Honeywell this week announced it is helping the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Eagleville, Pa., upgrade its infrastructure, and save almost $2.5 million in estimated utility and operating costs. The $2.4-million energy conservation and building modernization program, which is backed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will enable the 600-bed correctional facility to reduce water and energy consumption, and strengthen safety and security for staff and inmates.
To finance the critical building improvements, Montgomery County is using an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, part of the stimulus package that allocates money specifically for projects designed to improve energy efficiency in local communities. Honeywell guarantees the subsequent savings under a 10-year performance contract — freeing up funds in the county's operating budget.
"Finding the resources to address energy and infrastructure concerns while maintaining the safety of our staff and prisoners is an ongoing challenge," said Julio Algarin, Montgomery County Correctional Facility warden. "Working with Honeywell, we were able to identify a path that allows us to address both objectives in a fiscally responsible way."
As part of the project, Honeywell will install a new water management system for the facility that will enable prison personnel to more effectively control water use. For example, correctional officers will be able to monitor and turn off water flow to an individual cell before entering it, minimizing potential safety risks and reducing prisoners' ability to discard contraband.
The Honeywell Enterprise Buildings Integrator — an automation platform that integrates core building technologies — will give staff a comprehensive, graphical view of the system, increasing efficiencies and water savings.
Honeywell will also install high-efficiency water fixtures across the facility, including new faucets and aerators in administrative areas, and toilets in prisoner cells. Additionally, Honeywell will upgrade controls in the kitchen to optimize vent hood operation and cut electricity use.
The improvements are expected to decrease annual water use by 20 million gallons, nearly 30 percent of the facility's consumption and enough water to fill more than 110 Olympic-size swimming pools. Having to produce less hot water will also require 41,000 fewer therms of natural gas per year.
In addition, the kitchen and other air-handling control upgrades will save an estimated 170,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 11,500 therms of natural gas annually. Combined, the improvements will decrease carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 380 metric tons each year. According to figures from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this is equivalent to removing almost 70 cars from the road.
"Making the most of stimulus funding through a performance contract can be a powerful tool in reducing energy consumption and costs, and shrinking carbon footprints," said Paul Orzeske, president of Honeywell Building Solutions. "Honeywell has a long track record of helping organizations find the mix of conservation measures that not only deliver environmental benefits, but also maximize the return on investment."
The building modernization program is just the latest in a number of steps Montgomery County has taken to implement its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project, a comprehensive energy conservation effort that has been underway since 2008.
Honeywell expects to complete the upgrades in the first half of 2011. The company and correctional facility are also planning additional upgrades and improvements, which are expected to start by year's end.
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3/7/2011 |
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