Project Overview

In 2021 CEG was awarded an ESPC project in Centennial, CO, that covers two sites. The first is the Civic Center, a 33,000 SF facility consisting mainly of office space. Apart from the main Civic Center building, there are two separate structures that are a part of this premise: a 300 SF structure that houses fiber optic equipment and a 800 SF storage garage. The second is the Public Works Building, a 14,660 SF facility with single-story warehouse space, offices, a community room, and a space for Animal Services. Adjacent to the Public Works Building, the Eagle Street Garage serves Transportation Operations and houses equipment for snow and ice removal. While most of this building is an open shop, there is a mezzanine, finished space for the manager’s office, and dog kennels equipment with electric radiant heaters.

Approach

This project is a hybrid ESPC and Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) where the ESPC has its own contract. This enabled us to have a more flexible payment structure for the solar aspect of the project, which otherwise would not have fit into the ESPC. CEG developed the PPA with the City of Centennial to implement a 214 kW combined rooftop and canopy solar PV system. The system is expected to produce 329 MWh of electricity annually, resulting in electricity savings of more than $600,000 over the life of the PPA. To avoid loading facilities personnel with additional responsibilities, we included the cost of ongoing monitoring and maintenance by the solar installer in the ECM’s cost. We also included the cost of an inverter replacement after 15 years to ensure that the solar PV system can perform for its entire expected life without burdening Centennial with unforeseen maintenance costs.

Results

The eight ECMs for this project will provide significant energy and cost savings to the City while making progress towards capital improvement, sustainability, and economic goals. It will reduce energy and water consumption, reduce carbon footprint, increase use of renewables, revitalize infrastructure, enhance occupant comfort, and streamline operations and maintenance. CEG was able to leverage savings from faster payback ECMs to include highly desired capital intensive upgrades, RTU replacements, and canopy solar. The success of this project will lay the foundation for additional energy efficiency and renewable projects  in Centennial.