(Photo: Downtown Newark, New Jersey. Credit: Massmatt, Flickr Creative Commons)[/caption]
The City of Newark, New Jersey, and Honeywell formed a partnership to help the city improve energy efficiency and sustainability. Honeywell’s building infrastructure upgrades are expected to produce significant energy operating cost savings.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Phillip Scott, director of the Department of Engineering, announced this week that Honeywell will be performing building upgrades in 17 facilities as part of Newark’s Sustainability Action Plan. A $2.3 million rebate from New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and a 20-year, $15.4 million energy savings service contract are funding the building improvements.
When completed, the building infrastructure program should help cut Newark’s annual energy operating costs by around 36%, which translates into a potential savings of nearly $1 million annually.
Honeywell’s plan includes implementing three cogeneration plants so that the city can produce onsite electricity and heat for the City Hall complex and two recreation centers. The program calls for modernizing City Hall’s complex central boiler plant, replacing equipment to reduce thermal energy losses, and upgrading lighting to energy-efficient LEDs.
The tech company plans to install energy-efficient control solutions like room occupancy sensors and thermostatic radiator valves. A comprehensive building management system that integrates the city’s HVAC will allow building managers to monitor and control multiple facilities from one place. Honeywell says they will reduce desktop computer electric power consumption through a citywide solution, while electric and gas-submeters installed on buildings should accurately monitor and manage energy use.
These building infrastructure improvements are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. Besides saving money, the changes aim to help Newark reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2,930 metric tons annually.
“We understand how important it is for cities to lead the movement for climate action, energy equity and cleaner air,” Mayor Baraka said. “This is why Newark is committed to doing our part by developing solutions, implementing programs, and working with partners like Honeywell.”
The 4th Annual Environmental Leader & Energy Manager Conference takes place May 13 – 15, 2019 in Denver. Learn more here.
