by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
The Sartell City Council is still considering the possibilities for potential energy-cost savings by contracting for an energy plan as presented by Johnson Controls, St. Cloud office.
At its last meeting, the council heard an updated report presented by officials from the Johnson Controls company. No council action was taken because the report was for informational purposes only. Council members, however, did express interest in pursuing energy-and-water-cost savings.
Johnson Controls presented a preliminary study to the council last year. This latest report is highly detailed and extremely thorough.
The city could decide to contract for one or more energy-saving systems, including all new LED lighting and possibly an automated meter-reading system. The LED lights would last up to 15 years. In addition, they would be automatically dimmed in night areas that are unoccupied. One feature of a new lighting system is when someone moves into a dark area, the dimmed lights would automatically brighten, which could signal to police to check out that particular area.
Johnson Controls would work with the city’s energy companies (Xcel, Connexus and Stearns Electric) to introduce the energy-savings programs should the council so decide.
Brian J. Dudley, Johnson Control’s solutions account executive, spoke to the council and informed them of detailed updates made based on a thorough study of the city’s energy usage.
The possible plans could include total refits to LED lighting for all city lights (including the 500 or so city street lights), indoor and outdoor; building “envelopes” to completely block any heat leakages; fans to circulate heat to where it is most needed; temperature and humidity control; rebates from utility companies; energy-load management; water-treatment plant efficiency measures; and an automatic meter-reading system that would read all residential and business meters via electronic signals. Such readings could allow the city and water-users to know instantly if there are leaks in the system or where water is being wasted.
Johnson Control’s extremely detailed report to the city shows Sartell could save several millions of dollars over a 20-year period with the upgrades and new energy and water systems. The initial costs to introduce all the systems is estimated at about $3.6 million or about $4.5 million with interest over a 20-year payback period. One large cost would be the replacement of all water meters, which the city, not residents or businesses, would pay for through a capital-improvements expenditure.
The council will continue to examine the Johnson Control report to determine if it wants some or all of the upgrades and innovations.
