https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

Smart Cities & Technology


Commentary

Performance contracting yields energy savings for Florida agency

Performance contracting yields energy savings for Florida agency

Rob Risley of FPL Services talks about his firm's performance contracting with the state of Florida's Agency for People with Disabilities.
  • Written by Rob Risley
  • 20th March 2013

FPL Services, LLC (FPLS), a subsidiary of Florida Power & Light Co., has saved the state of Florida $6.5 million by improving energy efficiency at the state's Agency for People with Disabilities (APD). A performance-contracting model that was implemented as part of the project guaranteed savings with no capital expenditures by the state.

As part of the project, FPLS completed an energy-saving renovation of two locations for the APD. The renovations, made to 65 main buildings and other structures, are projected to save APD approximately $400,000 per year for the 16-year term of the contract. Stephen Boley, the APD's acting bureau chief for general services at the time of the project, described the project as a "win-win-win" for the state, the APD, and the residents and staff at the two locations.

"Given the current economic climate, the state has done a great job of keeping the APD facilities safe and operational, but these improvements were a much needed step," said Boley. "Now we have a far more energy efficient campus with systems that require less maintenance."

The two locations, called Tacachale and Seguin, covered more than 200 acres and had more than 100 structures, including dormitory-style residential buildings, individual staff houses, offices, cafeterias, and medical or recreational facilities, most of which had been built prior to or during the 1950s. Though the structural integrity of the buildings was good, the facilities were outdated when it came to energy conservation and operational efficiency.

The physical modifications made across the two facilities included: the installation of high-efficiency fluorescent lighting and occupancy sensors (to turn off lights when rooms were unoccupied); water fixture upgrades; water conservation and control measures (including low-flow toilets and faucets); high-efficiency HVAC systems; boiler and chiller upgrades; modified electrical distribution and metering; building envelope caulking, and new insulation for walls, roofs, and piping.

The project addressed a deteriorated sewer system by elevating manhole covers to reduce the intrusion of rainwater and prevent backups. It also incorporated elements of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification system.

Working with the local power supplier, Gainesville Regional Utility (GRU), FPLS and APD negotiated financial incentives from a one-time rebate of $40,000 to a total of nearly $170,000. As part of the energy savings project, FPLS also negotiated with GRU to assume responsibility for a significant portion of the distribution and metering system and equipment, previously owned and maintained by APD, at no cost to the agency.

Under a performance contract, the general contractor facilitates financing for a governmental or municipal project through a third party, with the energy and maintenance savings designed to more than pay for the capital costs of the improvements. A performance contract stipulates that if projected savings are not delivered, the contractor covers the shortfall. During an investment grade audit prior to any construction or renovations, detailed analyses of current usage are made and energy modeling, to predict future needs, is employed. Rigorous benchmarking throughout the projects has made it possible for FPLS to never miss a savings target in over 20 years of executing performance contracts.

The APD project's first phase was completed in early 2012. All renovations were completed while residents and staff continued to live, eat, sleep and work at the facilities. A new phase, at APD's Sunland facility in Marianna, Fla., will include a comprehensive upgrade of energy saving measures in 130 buildings. That portion of the project is set to begin in early 2013.

Speaking of the performance contract project with FPLS, Boley said, "Without the guaranteed savings and the public/private relationship between us and FPLS, these energy saving improvements could probably not have been undertaken."

FPL Services, LLC is a subsidiary of Florida Power & Light Company and a Florida general contractor that provides energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable solutions for government, education, health care, commercial and industrial customers. For more information about FPL Services' energy-management solutions for large business and governmental customers, visit here.

Rob Risley is senior sales executive at FPL Services, LLC.

Tags: Public Works & Utilities Smart Cities & Technology Commentary

Most Recent


  • With the digital evolution, equity in accessibility is of utmost importance
    When historians write the history books of tomorrow, they’ll note a sharp divide in the timeline: Pre-pandemic and what came after. This chasm spans industry and locality, impacting just about every aspect of society, such as the way governments interact with constituents in the digital realm. Before stay-at-home orders and mask mandates were issued, residents […]
  • MSPs
    The MSP downstream cyberthreat paradox: Understanding the city and county connection
    Recently the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) along with the FBI, NSA, and international cyber authorities issued a cybersecurity advisory aimed at protecting managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers. This high-level advisory has been gestating for some time ever since the SolarWinds and Kaseya supply chain cyber-attacks. A software supply chain attack occurs […]
  • As ransomware threat increases, a shift in minimum cyber insurance standards is hardening digital defenses
    In the last decade, the threat of ransomware and other cyberactivity has increased dramatically—more than ever, targeted organizations are paying the criminal perpetrators to have their information restored.  “Over the last year there has been an almost threefold increase in the proportion of victims paying ransoms of $1 million or more: up from 4 percent in 2020 […]
  • EV chargers
    Cities steadily adding more EV chargers for public to use
    Local governments are making headway as they develop their electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. “Progress varies depending on what stage governments are at in the electrification strategy and funding availability,” says Brandon Branham, assistant city manager and chief technology officer for Peachtree Corners, Ga., which is part of the Atlanta metro. Its 2022 population is estimated […]

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • North Texas alliance partners with Marketplace.city on smart government solutions
  • Harris County deploys next-generation security in 150 public buildings
  • Prioritizing rapid restore leads to stronger ransomware attack recovery
  • Today’s infrastructure needs greater than roads and bridges - It’s time to face our digital connectiveness

White papers


Hand Hygiene: Compliance Matters

23rd May 2022

What it Takes to Build a Winning Esports Program

23rd May 2022

Sixth-Largest US School District Saves Over $500,000 by Utilizing a Cooperative

23rd May 2022
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Amid digital evolution, equity in accessibility is of utmost importance dlvr.it/SQwZ3b

23rd May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Hand Hygiene: Compliance Matters dlvr.it/SQwL8f

23rd May 2022
AmerCityCounty

What it Takes to Build a Winning Esports Program dlvr.it/SQwJRj

23rd May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Sixth-Largest US School District Saves Over $500,000 by Utilizing a Cooperative dlvr.it/SQwHPv

23rd May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Amid shifting workplace expectations, local government employers must adapt dlvr.it/SQm2RT

20th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Smart911 emergency profiles provide first responders with more information, faster dlvr.it/SQh9gl

19th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Minor league baseball is helping cities hit a revitalization home run dlvr.it/SQc5N4

18th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council can help governments get up to speed on sustainable buys dlvr.it/SQbwqL

18th May 2022

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X