by Brianna Crandall — January 4, 2016 — Global multi-industrial technology provider Johnson Controls and South Arkansas Community College recently signed an energy performance contract through the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting (AEPC) program to better integrate energy management systems on the El Dorado, Arkansas, campus.
The energy performance contract, valued at $2.4 million, will deliver full-campus LED (light-emitting diode) lighting, energy management systems integration, chilled water loop expansion, boiler replacements, and building envelope upgrades. Additionally, Johnson Controls will work with the City of El Dorado to incorporate energy efficiency upgrades to the state-of-the-art El Dorado Conference Center on South Arkansas’ West Campus.
Utility and operational savings from these energy conservation measures are guaranteed to cover the costs of installation on an annual basis over 15 years, notes Johnson Controls, so South Arkansas Community College will be able to finance the project at no out-of-pocket cost through these guaranteed savings.
South Arkansas and Johnson Controls worked with the Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), administrator of the AEPC program, to develop the project. AEO offers assistance to state agencies, institutions of higher learning, municipalities and counties seeking to utilize guaranteed energy savings to perform facilities upgrades.
AEO estimates the project will provide more than $7.5 million in economic impact to the downtown El Dorado area, further aiding the area’s revitalization after the recent dedication of the El Dorado Arts and Entertainment District.
Dr. Barbara Jones, president of South Arkansas Community College, commented:
Our building improvements, lighting retrofits and system redesigns will reduce energy costs and improve the learning and work environment. These improvements also will upgrade lighting, inside and out, for safer campuses. SouthArk is excited that it was able to utilize such a program to improve operational efficiency and the college environment for students and staff.
Cheryl Aquadro, South Region area sales manager, Johnson Controls, stated:
Johnson Controls has a long history of providing energy performance contracts, having implemented more than 3,000 such contracts in North America alone. We’re excited about the South Arkansas project and look forward to working with the college to improve its energy infrastructure.
To learn more about Johnson Controls’ energy performance contract expertise, visit the company’s Building Energy Performance Contracting Web page.
