A $2.5 million two-phase energy-efficiency program, developed and implemented by NORESCO
at no upfront cost to the West Essex Regional School District, is expected to provide more than
$4 million in energy savings and utility subsidies to the district over 15 years.
Technical Overview
Project Type: NORESCO managed the two-phase project that included lighting upgrades, replacement of an
outdated electric heating system with a conventional hot water system, construction of a self-contained
boiler plant and installation of an enhanced energy management system.
Facility Description: Public high school and public middle school, about 325,000 square feet
Contract Term: Two 15-year Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)
Financing: Two 10-year tax-exempt municipal leases arranged by NORESCO. Incentive programs offered
for 15 years by the utility. NORESCO guaranteed that the savings and incentives generated will
exceed the annual costs to the district.
Installation Period: Phase I: Winter 1997 - Spring 1997
Phase II: Spring 1998 - Fall 1998
Project Summary
NORESCO implemented energy conservation measures that included:
Lighting Upgrades
Providing design and implementation for the retrofit or replacement of 5,171 lighting fixtures.
Electric Heat Conversion
Converting from electric heat to a hot water heating system, including the installation of two
new 250-horsepower gas-fired boilers, and more than four miles of hot water distribution
piping throughout the school. The project included the installation of 61 new unit ventilators
with hot water coils, adding new hot water fan coil units, and replacing air handling unit heating
coils with hot water coils.
Boiler Plant
Constructing a self-contained building to house two boilers, pumps and auxiliaries.
Domestic Hot Water System
Replacing an electric hot water heater with a gas-fired unit.
Energy Management System (EMS)
Expanding the existing EMS to include sophisticated temperature controls for the new heating
system at the high school and to control the existing heating system at the middle school.
Measurement and Verification
NORESCO acts as the district's project sponsor for participation in the Standard Offer incentive
program offered by the utility. This program provides subsidy payments for measured kilowatt-hours
saved over the contract period. NORESCO manages the measurement and verification
protocol required by the local utility.
Customer Comments
"NORESCO has met all the timelines and performed major, major renovations while keeping the
health, welfare, and safety of everyone as the number one priority. This agreement produces
savings that can ultimately reduce taxes and finance additional programs for students. It's a
model that could easily be replicated by other districts."
- District Business Administrator Daniel Borgo
NORESCO Comments
"With NORESCO's expertise, numerous public school districts in New Jersey have leveraged
their existing utility budgets by taking the savings and paying for infrastructure improvements
and program additions. In the case of West Essex, their savings and utility subsidies over the
next 15 years will exceed $4 million, benefitting both the taxpayers and students.
It's an honor that West Essex has given us their Service Excellence Award. This affirms
NORESCO's basic business practices - technical and managerial excellence in support of each
customer's requirements with guaranteed savings and customer satisfaction."
- NORESCO Former Senior Vice President David Rowland
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