by Shane Henson — November 5, 2012—Ameresco Inc., a nationwide energy efficiency and renewable energy company, has completed energy efficiency upgrades to Montcalm Community College (MCC), located in Sidney Township, Michigan. As part of the $1.2 million energy savings performance contract (ESPC), Ameresco implemented various infrastructure upgrades and energy-saving measures across the college’s two campuses. The new equipment and energy management system installed will allow the college to save an estimated $129,000 annually over the 10-year contract without the burden of up-front capital investment, says Ameresco.
Located in central Michigan between Grand Rapids and Lansing, MCC sought to implement a campus-wide “face-lift” in order to enhance its infrastructure and educational environment simultaneously. As part of the partnership, Ameresco installed lighting and HVAC upgrades, an energy management system to increase control over energy consuming systems, as and vending machine controls and building envelope enhancements to save on annual energy costs.
Along with energy efficiency enhancements, Ameresco also says it provided energy efficiency training to staff to help MCC develop campus-wide energy standards. Ameresco collaborated with MCC staff to identify areas of focus and improve the resources available to further the level of training and resulting awareness of energy-efficient behaviors by students and faculty.
Ameresco’s work with MCC comes on the heels of a nearly complete ESPC with neighboring Ovid Elsie Area K-12 Schools, the company says. Through an ESPC, Ameresco pays all costs involved in identifying and installing new or upgraded energy-efficient equipment. The energy upgrades are paid for by a portion of the cost savings resulting from these improvements over a set term. At the end of the ESPC, the customer owns all of the improvements and receives all of the continuing savings.
