Your Owner’s Representative for Energy Performance Contracting
Municipal Consulting enables public sector agencies to make infrastructure and operating improvements through contracts based upon the performance of technology and processes. The ESCOchoice Advantage program identifies areas of cost savings which are then reallocated to pay the cost of the improvements. Municipal Consulting is not an ESCO (Energy Service Company), but has decades of experience working with different ESCOs. We have leveraged this experience and knowledge to develop a unique advantage representing cities and counties as they work through an energy performance audit/contract. Consider Municipal Consulting as an Owner’s Rep or Project Manager to ensure your project stays on time and on budget.
As required by Local Government Code 302, ESCOs must identify enough savings and increase revenue to guarantee the return on investment. Municipal Consulting works on behalf of cities and counties to ensure that ESCOs identify the appropriate infrastructure and operating improvements to justify their claimed cost savings. We also ensure ESCOs are accountable in their annual reporting of energy and dollar savings.
Municipal Consulting will work with you to choose the best energy service company possible. In other words, Municipal Consulting lessens the risk for the performance of the project.
A typical performance contract consists of the following three phases:
I. Preliminary Assessment
The preliminary assessment is a high-level snapshot of the infrastructure, operations and capital improvement objectives. The intent of this assessment is to determine if an opportunity exists for a performance-based solution. Although there is typically no monetary commitment for this phase of the project, ESCOs will typically require some records and time from the staff. Municipal Consulting will work alongside the ESCO to verify the data in this preliminary assessment.
II. Project Development
The project development phase expands on the findings from the preliminary assessment. The project development will determine the total project scope, costs and savings guaranteed by the ESCO for the entire project. This detailed analysis clearly identifies specific savings, both physical and operational, and that the project meets the desired outcomes.
The Project Development costs are presented to the client before proceeding to the following phase. These costs are usually 5% of the square footage and must be, by law, covered as part of the overall savings generated. If the ESCO develops a project that is not cash-flow positive, there is no obligation for the client to proceed. If, however, the project does cash-flow and the client decides not to move forward, there is typically a charge to cover the costs of the project development. Municipal Consulting will audit the project development scope prior to the ESCO presenting it to the client.
III. Implementation
After the scope is finalized, a performance contract is signed and implementation begins. Since the ESCO is financially liable for project costs and savings, installation is performed in a timely manner to maximize the savings benefits. Upon completion, the ESCO will continue to monitor and verify the savings goals to ensure achievement with the contract. Municipal Consulting will monitor all facets of the Implementation phase.
Municipal Consulting is your advocate for all projects involving energy service companies. We look forward to working with you to develop and implement a successful energy performance contract.
What is the Process for Implementing ESCOchoice Advantage in my Community?
We’re glad you asked! Municipal Consulting will meet with your facilities reps and administration to begin outlining your energy performance contracting journey. Once an ESCO is selected, we will work with you to begin gathering the following information:
- 1-2 years of utility bills including water, electricity, and gas
- Square footages of all public buildings involved in the project
- Typical occupancy count of buildings
- Number of stories/types of uses – office, classroom, conference room, etc.
- Hours occupied/days per week
- Temperature setpoints – summer and winter
- Information on major equipment or obtain equipment list from customer
- Age and size of major equipment – tons, BTU input/output
- Nameplate information on major equipment – chillers, boilers, cooling towers
- Outside air handling – how much air is brought in (if any)
- T12 lamps with magnetic ballast or T8 lamps with electronic ballasts
- Do lighting levels appear adequate
- What type of control system – programmable stats/building automation system
- Any recent major upgrades or planned upgrades
- Types of HVAC systems – DX, Chilled Water, Steam, Hot Water, etc.
- Types of wall constructions – brick façade, etc.
- Types of windows – single pane, double pane
- Type of roof construction – built up, etc.
- Building drawings – 8.5 x 11 exit floor plans or mechanical blueprints
- Estimate miscellaneous equipment – # of computers, copiers, etc.
Contact Municipal Consulting to implement your very own TRIPPP program!
