FRAMINGHAM, Mass., and BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Ameresco Inc. announced that its client, the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, was the recipient of the 2014 Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) Energy Services Coalition (ESC) Award for its sustainability focus and leadership in efficiency initiatives. Under energy savings performance contracts (ESPC) with Ameresco, valued at more than $4.4 million, the city has untaken major upgrade projects at facilities including the Full Blast Recreation Center and the Kellogg Arena Event Center resulting in more than $84,000 in annual energy and maintenance savings.

The city was recognized by the Michigan Chapter of the Energy Services Coalition during an awards luncheon at the Michigan Municipal League office in Lansing, Michigan. City Manager Rebecca Fleury accepted the award on behalf of the city.

“The city of Battle Creek is honored to be recognized by the MEDC and to receive this sustainability leadership award,” said Fleury. “Our entire community is committed to reducing our energy usage and to being more efficient, and our ongoing partnership with Ameresco has allowed us to effectively upgrade our facilities while utilizing taxpayer dollars in the most efficient and environmentally responsible way.”

Ameresco performed several projects and energy efficiency upgrades under the ESPCs. Some of the energy conservation measures (ECMs) implemented at the Full Blast Recreation Center included: a central hot water heating plant that provides the heating capacity for improved building comfort, domestic hot water, and the indoor pool; a new open protocol controls system; and installation of renewable energy features, such as solar energy for the outdoor pool. Some of the ECMs at Kellogg Arena included: replacing the roof, renovating and replacing seats (bleacher mechanism replacement), LED exterior lighting retrofit, instituting water conservation measures, and enhancing the building envelope. Each of these measures at the facilities were designed to increase the efficient use of energy and to decrease the buildings’ emissions and carbon footprint, while enhancing the comfort for guests.

“These projects helped to reduce our overall operating costs and have allowed us to take a leadership role in economic and environmental stewardship in our community,” said Fleury. “It’s important for us to take a proactive role in reducing our energy consumption and it’s rewarding to have been recognized for our commitment.”

“Ameresco commends the city of Battle Creek for its leadership and we congratulate the city on the award,” said Louis P. Maltezos, executive vice president, Ameresco. “We value our partnership where together we have been able to realize great results utilizing a phased-approach to implementing improvements to facilities throughout the community. The energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrade projects at the Full Blast Recreation Center and the Kellogg Arena are delivering greater energy efficiency and significant financial, comfort, and environmental benefits for the community.”

For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

Publication date: 11/17/2014

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