Distributed Energy Resources, Energy Efficiency  -  April 2, 2019

Newark plans 17-building upgrade project

The City of Newark, New Jersey announced an energy savings improvement project that includes upgrading building infrastructure in 17 facilities, from City Hall to Symphony Hall, that will cut the city’s annual energy operating costs by an estimated 36% with potential savings of nearly $1 million a year. 

The upgrade is part of the Department of Engineering's commitment to Newark's Sustainability Action Plan, aimed at making Newark healthier, greener and more vibrant through various city-wide sustainability programs, according to a statement from the city. Honeywell was selected as the city's Energy Services Company and will lead the project., which is being funded with a $2.3 million rebate from the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and a 20-year, $15.4 million energy savings service contract. The contract enables the funding of the upgrades with annual energy and operational savings resulting from the project work. Honeywell guarantees the savings, eliminating the need for upfront capital investment and making it a self-funding project over the contract term.

"We believe that everyone in our community has the right to a clean and healthy environment to live, work and play," said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. "We understand how important it is for cities to lead the movement for climate action, energy equity and cleaner air. This is why Newark is committed to doing our part by developing solutions, implementing programs and working with partners like Honeywell to help us achieve energy savings, reduce greenhouse gases and pollution, and bring quality of life benefits home to Newarkers."

Projects will include the implementation of three cogeneration plants to enable the city to generate on-site electricity and heat simultaneously in two recreation centers and at the City Hall complex; modernization of existing City Hall complex central boiler plant; a lighting upgrade with more energy-efficient LEDs; installation of energy-efficient control solutions, such as room occupancy sensors to automatically turn lights off when areas are unoccupied, and install thermostatic valves on radiators to reduce steam consumption; installation of a comprehensive Building Management System (BMS) platform that allows building managers to monitor and control multiple buildings from a central location, and integration of the City's HVAC and building systems into the BMS for city personnel to better monitor and manage systems under a unified platform, and more.

The building infrastructure improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

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