The North Carolina Energy Office approved $1.8 million in grants to seven businesses and non-profit agencies to make energy-efficiency upgrades that will trim energy use, cut utility bills and provide 80 jobs around the state. The grants are funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“These grants help North Carolina’s businesses and non-profits operate efficiently,” said Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco. “In addition to creating jobs, these energy-efficiency improvements will pay off well into the future to control energy consumption during times when fuel costs are continually increasing. That pays off for the businesses, their consumers and clients and our environment.”
The North Carolina Energy Office received 89 proposals, requesting a total of $23 million for energy-saving improvements. The proposals came from owners of commercial facilities, industrial facilities and incorporated large nonprofit organizations seeking funds for energy efficiency upgrades using commercially available technologies to reduce energy and petroleum consumption, cut costs and polluting emissions. The Energy Office looked for projects that were cost-effective and could be quickly implemented.
In addition to the following seven grants, the Energy Office expects to announce additional recipients as state and federal reviews are completed. Below is a list and brief description of the initial seven grants:
Forsyth Medical Center Foundation (Winston-Salem, Forsyth County) $323,405 to retrofit their lighting system with high efficiency fixtures and occupancy sensors to optimize energy savings in their 1.8 million square foot facility. Along with lighting upgrades, the chiller plant and steam systems controls will be optimized for better efficiency. Total cost of the project is $503,405.
Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company (Hickory, Catawba County) $304,085 to retrofit seven locations consisting of over 1.2 million square feet of manufacturing and warehousing space. The company will replace over 4,000 inefficient lighting fixtures with high efficiency fixtures resulting in significant energy savings. Total cost of the project is $630,915.
MasterBrand Cabinets Inc (Kinston, Lenoir County) $340,000 to upgrade lighting and a power conditioning system for the plant. The power conditioning system will effectively filter unusable harmonics while capturing unusable voltage spikes that are then reintroduced when there are voltage sags. Total cost of the project is $486,660.
Performance Fibers Inc (New Hill, Wake County) $200,000 to upgrade an air compressor; install pressure and temperature instrumentation for monitoring air and cooling water conditions for optimization of the compressed air system. Total cost of the project is $427,400.
Red City (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County) $307,840 to insulate all floors and roof; install a thermal solar system to service all restrooms, kitchen and banquet areas; and install solar trackers. Total cost of the project is $615,115.
SG Atkins Development Corporation (Winston-Salem, Forsyth County) $145,000 to install energy efficient lighting fixtures, high efficiency heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems and install a 10 kW rooftop solar array with an educational component to significantly reduce energy consumption. Total cost of the project is $945,000.
YMCA of Northwest North Carolina (Winston-Salem, Forsyth County) $177,679 to update lighting and install occupancy sensors; restore and adjust outside economizer and controls; upgrade heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems and install solar thermal systems at six of their nine locations. Total cost of the project is $312,179.