FOR RELEASE: Immediately October 6, 2003
CONTACT: Peter Sigurdson (716) 842-1522 ext. 3006.
Indian River Intermediate School to Receive $400,000
NYSERDA Grant for Energy-Efficient Measures
Philadelphia, NY - The New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) will provide $400,000 to the Indian River Central
School District for energy-efficient improvements to its newly constructed
71,545-square-foot Intermediate School that features a state-of-the-art
energy management system and geothermal heating and cooling technology.
"I applaud the Indian River School Board and administration
for their willingness to explore and ultimately utilize geothermal
heating and cooling technology for their new intermediate school.
This is a true 'green' source of energy that is efficient and low-maintenance.
The geothermal heating and cooling will help save the district and
its taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars each year for decades to
come," said NYSERDA Acting President Peter R. Smith.
Indian River Central School District Superintendent Roger W. Adams
remarked, "We have been extremely happy with the system's performance
to date. I remember those who told us that it wouldn't work this far
north. Well, it does work, and it worked on days where the temperature
fell to -36 degrees Fahrenheit! In addition to the obvious cost savings,
I feel we must point out the environmental factors as well. Using
electricity to extract heat from the ground is environmentally friendly.
We're not emitting hydrocarbons into the atmosphere as we would with
a traditional oil or gas system. So in a state-of-the-art school building
we leave a legacy of a first class education for our children as well
as leaving their world a little less polluted. That's an unbeatable
combination."
Smith said the school district took advantage of financial incentives
available through the New York Energy $martSM New
Construction Program. Smith said that the district installed an energy-efficient
heat recovery system and variable speed drives as part of the geothermal
heating and cooling system, as well as an energy management system
to control overall energy usage at the new building.
"Indian River School has taken an important step forward by
choosing to utilize energy-efficient technology for their new building's
heating and cooling system," said Senator Jim Wright (R,C,I-Watertown),
chair of the New York State Senate Energy Committee. "Having
been out to see the construction and plans, I am impressed with the
scope and capabilities of the finished product. By using the earth's
natural resources, the school district will save taxpayers a significant
amount of money in the years to come while being environmentally friendly."
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of Syracuse,
NYSERDA's technical assistance provider, worked with MARCH Associates,
Utica, New York, the school's design professionals, to review equipment
specifications recommended by the design team. The school district
had expressed a desire to install a geothermal heat pump as part of
an overall energy-efficient building design.
Geothermal technology uses the Earth's relatively constant underground
temperatures as either a heat source or heat sink, thereby providing
a constant, reliable and cost-effective source of heating and cooling.
It is estimated that by installing the recommended energy-efficient
measures, the intermediate school will realize an annual reduction
of electrical energy consumption of approximately 307,181 kWh annually,
or a financial savings of $46,875 a year.
In addition to the reduction in operating costs, District Business
Manager James R. Koch is also anticipating a reduction in maintenance
costs. "The heat pumps, which are at the heart of the system,
do not require the level of maintenance of an oil-fired boiler. Their
operations can be effectively monitored via the computer. With an
average expected life in excess of 15 years, we anticipate additional
long-term savings through this technology."
All New York Energy $martSM programs are funded
by a System Benefits Charge (SBC) paid by electric distribution customers
of participating utilities. NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation
established by law in 1975, administers SBC funds and programs under
an agreement with the Public Service Commission. The programs are
available to all electric distribution customers (residential, commercial,
institutional, and industrial) of Central Hudson, Con Edison, NYSEG,
Niagara Mohawk, Orange and Rockland, and Rochester Gas and Electric.
Additional information about these programs can be obtained at www.nyserda.org
or 1-866-NYSERDA.
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