Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Master Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Valparaiso schools report higher-than-expected energy savings; Phase 2 on track
Summary
District and contractor reported Phase 1 energy savings exceeded projections (about $495,000 vs $436,000 expected) and outlined Phase 2 measures — solar arrays, building controls, retro-commissioning and microturbines — with a contractor-guaranteed $34 million savings over 20 years; some systems await utility interconnection testing.
A district energy consultant told the Valparaiso Community Schools board on June 8 that the district's energy-efficiency program has delivered stronger savings than expected and that Phase 2 implementation is proceeding on schedule.
For Phase 1 the presenter said the project was targeting roughly $436,000 in first-year energy savings; measured results through mid‑May showed about $495,000 — roughly 114% of the target. The presenter also noted recent utility rate increases mean avoided-cost savings compound over time, increasing the long-term dollar benefit of reduced energy use.
The Phase 2 package includes 15 energy-management and monitoring systems, nine solar installations, retro‑commissioning of mechanical equipment at 10 facilities, new open‑protocol building controls, and combined heat-and-power microturbines at two sites. The presenter said the contractor guarantees $34 million in savings over a 20‑year period. Several components are complete and producing savings; others await final utility interconnection and testing with the local provider (NIPCO), which the presenter said is in progress and expected by October but carried through December in the schedule as a buffer.
Early Phase 2 construction-year savings measured from January through mid‑May were reported at about $117,000 for the completed energy-conservation measures. The presenter noted control optimization work at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Flint Lake produced a substantial share of recent savings and that operators flagged controls that were not operating optimally; the contractor will correct those issues before substantial completion is granted.
Board members asked about shaded arrays and construction adjustments; the presenter said some arrays were relocated during walk-throughs when shading was identified and that the project has active retro‑commissioning, monitoring and warranty procedures.
The board thanked the project team for the progress and said it will monitor interconnection completion and performance data as retro‑commissioning proceeds.
