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Schneider Electric proposes $4.8M–$5M pilot to cut Calhoun County schools' utility bill; firm projects $700K annual savings
Summary
Schneider Electric told the Calhoun County Board it found $2.8M in annual utility spending and proposed a pilot (estimated $4.8–$5.0M) targeting the highest‑impact schools that the firm says could reduce utility and operations spending by about $700,000 per year.
Schneider Electric presented findings from walkthroughs of every Calhoun County school and proposed a phased pilot to modernize lighting and install building automation systems.
"You are spending $2,800,000 a year right now on your utilities across the county," the Schneider representative told the board and later said, "We think that there could be a significant reduction. Over $700,000 a year, we think we could reduce from the utility and operations budget." The firm recommended starting with high‑impact campuses — Pleasant Valley and Alexandria Elementary — and setting up district maintenance offices to operate a new system.
The vendor described an energy‑usage index (EUI) baseline and identified measures (LED lighting, a district‑wide building automation system, capital asset tracking) intended to lower consumption, extend equipment life, and improve maintenance response. Schneider estimated the pilot would cost about $4.8–$5.0 million and projected, "by doing these investments," up to $19,000,000 in cost savings over the contract term, a figure the presenter said is allowed by Alabama statute and tied to a guaranteed performance clause.
Board members asked whether automation work would duplicate planned renovations; Schneider said the automation and lighting upgrades can be implemented independently and are designed to be compatible with future HVAC or renovation work. The presentation used utility data going back to 2019 and showed roughly a 17% increase in costs since then, attributed to higher rates and aging equipment.
The presentation was for information only; no procurement or contract was adopted at the meeting. Schneider said staff would be available after the meeting to answer follow‑up questions and that performance guarantees would be included in a contract if the board chose to pursue the project.
