Baltimore Convention Center Inks $10m Energy Savings Contract with Constellation

Constellation Energy and the Baltimore Convention Center have signed an energy savings performance contract to install about $10 million in water and energy conservation measures.

Under the terms of the contract, the improvements provided by Constellation require no upfront capital from the convention center and are guaranteed to provide about $18 million in cost savings over a 15-year period. As is common with such contracts, Baltimore Convention Center will use the guaranteed savings to fund the project.

The convention center expects the project to conserve an estimated 100 million gallons of water and avoid the creation of 6,058 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually over the next 15 years.

The conservation measures will include: energy efficient LED lighting and lighting controls; HVAC repairs and controller upgrades; thermal blankets on steam valves and fittings; low-flow toilets and faucets; building envelopment improvements such as caulking and weather stripping; and installation of a “cool roof” membrane to reflect heat.

The project forms part of the Baltimore city government’s plan to cut electric power use by 20 percent by 2015, using 2007 as a baseline. Work is scheduled for completion by winter 2013.

Earlier this month Bay City, Texas awarded Siemens a $9.3 million energy savings performance contract expected to reduce electricity consumption by nearly 30 percent and water use by more than 70 percent over 15 years. The contract will focus on Bay City’s wastewater and potable water supply systems, water meters, municipal lighting and supporting information technology.

Late last year, President Obama issued a memorandum which he said commits the federal government to spending $2 billion on energy upgrades to its own buildings, using energy savings performance contracts.