a green
transformation
When it comes to energy
conservation, Northern
Maine Community College
isn’t just talking the talk.
The “green transformation” launched
a few years ago on NMCC campus, designed to both reduce energy costs and the
College’s carbon footprint, is now paying
dividends. And, efforts to reduce energy
costs and embrace alternative energy sources are about to be significantly enhanced as
construction is underway to install a new
biomass boiler to provide heat to two of the
largest building complexes on campus.
More than $3 million has been
invested to make the campus more energy
efficient. The scope of the work completed
ranges from building and lighting upgrades
to mechanical renovations and insulation
and building controls installation. A year
after completing of much of the work, the
College is looking at initial savings that
exceed projections.
Under the agreement with Honeywell,
the company performing much of the efficiency work, and following a comprehen-
sive energy audit and resulting work to help
maximize energy efficiency, College officials
were guaranteed a minimum dollar amount
in savings each year for the next 15 years.
Initial savings for the first year under
the project were set at $73,000, inclusive
of both electrical and fuel consumption
reductions realized as a result of the extensive energy conservation work completed.
Preliminary figures for the first year show
actual savings at $125,000. That number
includes a reduction of $90,000 in fuel
costs – 30,000 fewer gallons of number
2 fuel oil over the year before the energy
conservation work was completed. The
College also saw a reduction in its electrical
usage in the same time period that resulted
in $35,000 worth of savings.
In addition to the projects undertaken
through contract with Honeywell, two
other building upgrades at NMCC, funded
The College hosted an open house in it’s
alternative energy center as part of Maine
Weatherization Day on October 27.
NMCC’s alternative energy center is now
home to northern Maine’s Weatherization Training Center – one of only four in
Maine. A pressure house, installed through
a $220,000 MaineHousing grant, provides
training to support weatherization auditing.