WYOMING and DUNMORE, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are implementing $775,000 in facility enhancements designed to improve operations and energy efficiency at two troop headquarters facilities. The project includes installing a wind turbine to tap into the wind energy available in the region. TAC by Schneider Electric, the building management and energy services business of Schneider Electric, will complete the work as a performance contract and guarantees the PSP a reduction in utility costs of more than $40,000 annually when the project is completed in June 2009.

TAC will implement the performance contact at PSP facilities in Wyoming and Dunmore, Pa., both located in the northeastern portion on the state. The Dunmore facility, just east of Scranton, is headquarters to PSP Troop R and will include the wind turbine. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which estimates wind energy resources across the United States, gives the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton region a Class four (out of seven) rating for wind energy. The group recommends wind power in areas rated Class 3 or above. TAC will install a 1.5-2.0 kW wind turbine to take advantage of the area’s average wind speed of 13.4 mph. The turbine will be connected to the main power system in order to offset power purchased from the electric utility.

Additional updates at each PSP location will include window replacements, comprehensive lighting retrofits, new HVAC equipment, and new building controls.

“The Dunmore facility is one of the highest points in the region, so the wind turbine in front of the building will be visible across a large area and an obvious sign that the state is interested in pursuing alternative energy,” said Lester Brightbill, director, Facilities Management Division, PSP. “But even the more routine improvements will make a big difference. For example, the new windows at Dunmore will resolve the cold drafts in the wintertime when the average temperatures dip below zero.”

Performance contracting offers long-term benefits for government agencies, such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management, and environmental protection. TAC guarantees the amount of savings performance contracting projects will achieve and agrees to pay the difference if that amount is not realized.

“By using a renewable alternative energy source, such as taking advantage of the abundant wind energy available at the Dunmore site, TAC is helping the PSP and the state to take steps beyond efficiency and toward a sustainable future that doesn’t rely exclusively on environmentally harmful fossil fuels,” said Shon Anderson, vice president of sales, TAC Energy Solutions. “The performance contract will also positively impact the bottom line, both through lower utility costs and operational savings. Because the PSP are using energy savings to pay for the improvements and they have TAC’s guarantee, tax dollars can continue to go directly to law enforcement and public safety, not infrastructure.”

The Wyoming facility is headquarters for PSP Troop P and consists of a three-story office building and single level garage containing a combined 31,000 square feet. The Dunmore facility consists of a three-story office building and attached garage containing close to 24,000 square feet.

The performance contract includes new, high-performance windows that will also provide improved security through installation of low transparency glass and insulated panels to limit lines of sight into the buildings. New, efficient lighting equipment will save energy, as will the DDC systems, which will also improve comfort. TAC will replace a failing and outdated cooling tower and rooftop air conditioning unit at the Wyoming building with new, more energy-efficient units. In addition to better comfort and efficiency, the new equipment will reduce trouble calls and failures of existing systems.

For more information, visit www.tac.com.

Publication date: 05/11/2009