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Case Study: Colorado State Capitol Complex
Energy Efficiency, Conservation and LEED Certification Project
Background
In May 2002 the State of Colorado
hired Chevron Energy Solutions
to perform an energy audit at its
Capitol Complex facilities. The
audit covered multiple buildings
totalling more than 1.7 million
square feet. Much needed upgrades
at these facilities had been deferred
for many years due to higher
priorities and shortfalls in state
funding. Some of the heating,
ventilating and air conditioning
(HVAC) infrastructure was more
than 80 years old.
Out of 35 energy conservation
measures identified in the audit,
13 met the state’s maintenance and
financial goals. Chevron Energy
Solutions (CES) was awarded an
energy performance contract to
implement improvements valued at
approximately $9 million. As more
energy savings opportunities were
uncovered during the early phase of
implementation, the performance
contract work expanded into a
multi-phase project valued at more than $20 million.
Solution
In 2009, CES completed its work on a
six-year project to significantly improve
the energy efficiency of 20 state government
buildings. As a result, the state’s
buildings, including historic landmarks
constructed in the late 1800s and early
1900s, are now among the most energy
efficient in the nation. The project was
funded entirely by energy savings generated
by the efficiency improvements,
along with utility rebates.
CES engineered and installed improvements
that included energy-efficient
lighting systems, energy management
systems, water conservation measures,
building shell retrofits, removal of old
equipment and asbestos, and extensive
HVAC upgrades including replacing
boilers, chillers and piping.
The project included several renewable
energy components including the
installation of a ground source heating
and cooling system at the Governor’s
Residence, a 100-kW solar photovoltaic
(PV) system at the Colorado Dept. of
Revenue Building in Lakewood, and
a 10-kW solar PV system at the State
Capitol Building.
CES managed the LEED® certification
process for five buildings — the State
Services Building, Human Services
Building, Judicial Heritage Complex, the
State Capitol Building, and the Governor’s
Residence. The buildings received
the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED
Certification for Existing Buildings. The
State Capitol Building became the first
LEED-certified state capitol in the U.S. and the first building of any kind in the
U.S. to receive the LEED Certification
for Existing Buildings: Operations and
Maintenance designation.
Benefits
The project reduces the state’s energy
costs by more than 30 percent, saving
taxpayers more than $1 million annually.
Also, by lowering the facilities’ demand
for energy from local utilities, the
upgrades are reducing carbon dioxide
emissions by more than 8,000 metric
tons per year, equivalent to removing
more than 1,900 cars from the road.
Along with the energy savings, there are
other benefits such as improved interior
lighting quality and a more comfortable
indoor environment, reduced
maintenance
costs, and environmental
benefits associated with proper removal
of abandoned equipment and asbestos.
Colorado's New Energy Economy
The Colorado Governor’s Energy Office
(GEO) is committed to leading the state
to a New Energy Economy by advancing
energy efficiency and clean renewable
and alternative energy resources. It
supports energy performance contracting
as an affordable way for building
owners and managers to make investments
in energy-efficiency improvements
and renewable energy.
CES was one of eleven energy service
companies pre-approved by Colorado
to identify and evaluate energy-saving
opportunities
and recommend and install
a package of improvements that would
be paid for with the resulting savings.
The program is one response to an
Executive Order requiring state buildings
to reduce energy consumption by
20% over the next five years.
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