Case Studies
Case Studies
Videos
2024 Lead by Example Clean Energy Award Winner - University of Rhode Island
The University of Rhode Island installed a 1.5 MW solar canopy array over a newly developed parking lot, creating one of the largest solar carports in the state to date. The solar canopy offers plentiful benefits such as covered parking for commuting students, and a significant visual reminder of the University's commitment to green energy. URI also completed several energy efficiency projects across the Narragansett Bay Campus. These projects included significant LED lighting upgrades on campus, alongside the replacement of the building management system and boilers. Furthermore, URI reduced its environmental impact by replacing the entire Bay Campus vehicle fleet with low speed, efficient EVs.
2024 Lead by Example Clean Energy Award Winner - Woonsocket Education Department
The Woonsocket Education Department upgraded six of its schools to high efficiency LED lighting and controls, dramatically improving the learning environment and providing significant energy savings for the department. These lighting upgrades were funded by OER’s School Equity Program, and significant incentives from the state energy efficiency program. By upgrading these buildings, the Department will save $2,000,000 over the life of the equipment.
2024 Lead by Example Clean Energy Award Winner - Town of Lincoln
The Town of Lincoln replaced all its streetlights with energy efficient LEDs. This project encompasses many benefits, including significant energy and cost savings, and improved safety and visibility throughout all town streets. The streetlight conversion project will save the Town of Lincoln just over $2 million over the life of the equipment.
The OER Public School Energy Equity Program
The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Public School Energy Equity Program aims to provide essential support to underserved public schools in Rhode Island by implementing energy-saving measures that improve building occupants' health, safety, and comfort while also reducing energy costs. This will contribute to the state's Act on Climate law, which mandates economy-wide greenhouse gas reduction targets leading to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Jamestown Public Schools: OER Lead by Example Clean Energy Award Recipient 2023
Jamestown Public Schools received a Lead by Example Clean Energy Award from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources on May 9, 2023, for implementing multiple clean energy projects throughout the year. The first project was installing two solar arrays, and a carport solar canopy at the Melrose Elementary School and a solar roof array at the Lawn Middle School. Together these solar projects will offset 84 percent electricity for the school district annually, making the Jamestown School Department the first district in the state to achieve this renewable energy benchmark. The total cost of this project was $1.03 million using $799,000 funds from the School Bonds and the remainder covered from the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund. Additionally, both schools have updated their ventilation systems to provide healthier indoor air quality and improve the comfort and health of students and faculty.
RI State Police: OER Lead by Example Clean Energy Award Recipient 2023
The Rhode Island State Police received a Lead by Example Clean Energy Award from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources on May 9, 2023, for implementing completing a comprehensive lighting and controls retrofit at the Rhode Island State Police Public Safety Complex. After completing these energy efficiency upgrades, the State Police facilities are now 100 percent LED. These energy reductions will save the State over $45,000 per year in energy costs. The agency also upgraded its HVAC system with a heat pump and installed insulation at the training academy barracks, drastically improving the comfort, efficiency, and operations of this critical facility. This project's energy savings are estimated to result in nearly 200,000 pounds of avoided CO2 per year, taking another substantial step towards helping the State achieve the goals outlined in the 2021 Act on Climate.
North Kingstown: OER Lead by Example Clean Energy Award Recipient 2023
The Town of North Kingstown received a Lead by Example Clean Energy Award from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources on May 9, 2023, for implementing several significant energy efficiency and clean energy transportation projects. One of the major initiatives involved converting all 2,500 streetlights to LED. The town also made upgrades to the Historic Town Hall, first built in 1884, which includes a new HVAC system, temperature controls, and low-emissivity replacement windows, as well as HVAC upgrades at several other public safety buildings. Additionally, the town was able to install EV charging stations at the highly utilized municipal golf course. These projects will result in significant cost and energy savings as well as improve safety and comfort.
Compass School transforms abandoned barn into a schoolhouse with help from OER
The Compass School, located in Kingston, Rhode Island, is a public K-8th grade charter school. It was founded in 2002 by a group of parents who desired an environment where their children would be challenged to become problem solvers, critical thinkers, and life long learners. Compass School received a $500,000 award from the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to help renovate an abandoned seed barn and transform it into a state-of-the-art schoolhouse, using the latest in energy efficiency technology.
5th Annual Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards - April 29, 2022
The McKee Administration has recognized 26 state and quasi-government agencies, municipalities, and public schools for their renewable energy and energy efficiency achievements at its Fifth Annual Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards ceremony.
RI Army National Guard: Leading by example with clean energy
The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) has installed a rooftop solar array on the 56 Troop Command Armory Building at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich. Marissa Pereira, energy program manager for RIARNG, discusses the project and her process of working with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources to procure funding and technical assistance. At 207kW, this solar array is the second largest on a state facility in Rhode Island. Newport Renewables performed the installation. As one of the most critical facilities for the RIARNG, the armory houses several units that respond to natural disasters, pandemics, state of emergencies, and other critical events. With the building’s brand new, flat roof and location free from shade, the armory was the perfect location for the RIARNG’s first solar project.
Articles
Rhode Island College installs upward facing LED lighting in Murray Center with help from OER
Last season, Rhode Island College’s Women’s Basketball team took home the title of Little East Champions and made it to the NCAA Division III Championship Semi-Finals for the first time in history. Now, they get to start off the 2024 season in the Murray Center with brand-new lighting.
Rhode Island State Police installs LEDs and Heat Pumps with help from OER
The Rhode Island State Police, in collaboration with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, have implemented energy efficiency upgrades to multiple State Police facilities.
Providence Public Schools replaces old lighting to new energy efficient LEDs
Serving about 22,000 students, Providence Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in Rhode Island. The district has a diverse learning community throughout its 37 schools, with about 68% of student population identifying as Hispanic.
RI Department of Corrections converts 90% of its facilities to energy efficient LED
We are proud to recognize one of the winners of the 2022 Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards – Department of Corrections (DOC). With 1.3 million square feet of facilities in Cranston at the Pastore Government Center, the DOC is home to some of the oldest buildings in the state.
We are proud to recognize one of the winners of the 2022 Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards – Quonset Development Corporation. The Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) is home to over 200 companies, varying between small businesses to some of the States’ biggest energy consumers.
The Town of Smithfield installs LED streetlights and EV charging stations
We are proud to recognize one of the winners of the 2022 Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards – the Town of Smithfield. In 2021, the town of Smithfield audited, mapped, and converted its streetlights to energy saving LEDs throughout the community.
RI Army National Guard installs largest rooftop solar PV system on a state facility
In 2020, RIARNG installed its first rooftop solar PV system on the Camp Fogarty Armory building. At the time, it was the largest rooftop solar PV system on a state facility at 207 KW.
Central Falls Calcutt Middle School replaces aging fluorescent lights with new LEDs at zero cost
At 1.29 square miles, with over 22,500 people, Central Falls is the smallest, most densely populated city in Rhode Island. It is also the only majority Hispanic community in the state. In 2021, the city unveiled its new brand and slogan, “Diversity That Inspires,” recognizing its rich cultural heritage.
Pastore Complex exterior LED lighting project to save Rhode Island $176K per year
In June 2020, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER), Department of Administration (DOA), Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and Department of Corrections (DOC) completed a collaborative project to upgrade the exterior lighting at the John O. Pastore Complex to current LED technology.