Built in 1989, the William E. Powers Building in Providence, Rhode Island houses over 800 state employees including the Departments of Administration and Revenue. It is the largest state-owned office building in Rhode Island and provides effective oversight, accountability and support of agency operations across state government.

The costs of heating and cooling the 250,000 square-foot building have grown over the years. This was due to an aging HVAC system which lacked adequate temperature and zone controls, requiring manual adjustments several times a day. This system was inefficient and expensive to manage.

THE SOLUTION

The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources, in partnership with the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance, hired Siemens to design and install a modern climate control system.

The new Desigo® Climate Control system provides:

• Automatic temperature and schedule controls with multiple zones to provide optimum comfort across the building in all seasons.
• New thermostats which allow individual offices fine tune temperature adjustments.
• Computer dashboard which gives building operators the ability to monitor the system in real time and visualize long term energy use trends.

THE RESULTS

Since installing the new system, the Powers Building has reduced its energy use between 15-27%!

Monthly energy savings may be reinvested into continued building improvements such as lighting upgrades and mechanical equipment.

For information about the state’s clean energy programs and financing opportunities for state agencies, visit www.energy.ri.gov

RIPTA buses are now receiving a little boost from sun!

Most riders won’t notice it from where they are standing, but RIPTA has installed solar panels on all 33 of its 2019 diesel fleet.

While the solar panels are not designed to make the buses go, they help power many of the vehicles’ auxiliary systems, such as ignition, GPS, automated stop announcements and lighting. This in turn reduces strain on the battery and can keep these systems live even when the engine is not running. Over the lifetime of the bus, the solar panels are expected to extend the life of the alternator, a vital engine component necessary for generating electricity. eNow Inc. supplied the 310-watt solar auxiliary panels and panel systems.

The pilot project was funded in part by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation which contributed a renewable energy grant of $42,800 that covered about two thirds of the cost. Read more about the project here.

This is not RIPTA’s only foray into clean energy. In 2018, it leased three electric buses for testing and plans to purchase several more starting in 2021.
 

Much has changed in our world over the past few months. I want to express my sincerest wishes for your continued health and safety during this difficult time. Today, I would like to offer some perspective on the road ahead and reassure you that our Administration and the Office of Energy Resources remain committed to advancing a cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy future.

First, I want to acknowledge the response of our people, communities, and leadership during this unprecedented crisis. Governor Raimondo’s steady leadership and clear, consistent communication during these past weeks have strengthened Rhode Island. Moving forward, we must all play a part to improve (and sustain) public health, as well as support economic recovery wherever possible. Further, our communities will need to work together to support the most vulnerable among us. If the response to date has shown us anything, it is that the Ocean State – its families, businesses, community organizations, and governments – will rise to meet this challenge. 

Recently, Governor Raimondo revealed her plan for reopening Rhode Island, which takes a multi-phased approach for getting our economy back up and running. You may view all the details here: https://www.reopeningri.com. Restarting the economy will not be like flicking on a light switch – rather, it will take place gradually over the months ahead, as we assess and reevaluate public health and safety at each stage.

I want to assure our stakeholders that our focus on Rhode Island’s clean energy future and our commitment to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions have not waned. At OER, we continue to operate on a full-time basis. My team and I have been teleworking and continue to engage, virtually, with stakeholders and industry partners. We remain committed to our agency’s mission to advance a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future for all Rhode Islanders. I want to thank the OER team – and all my State Government colleagues – for their commitment and dedication, particularly during these trying times. 

On the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and in response to a July 2019 executive order by Governor Raimondo, OER released an important report on Heating Sector Transformation in coordination with the Division of Public Utilities & Carriers. Over the past several months, we held three public workshops (two in person, one online), each of which attracted more than 60 participants. Stakeholder dialogue and comment represented important input as we developed our findings, and we are grateful for such incredible public engagement. The Final Heating Sector Transformation report can be viewed at: http://www.energy.ri.gov/HST/. 

We have many other clean energy initiatives now underway to support deployment of nation-leading, cost-effective energy-efficiency investments, as well as to accelerate clean energy portfolio growth. For instance, in collaboration with the Energy Efficiency & Resource Management Council (EERMC) and National Grid, we are hard at work developing a robust and comprehensive plan for cost-effective efficiency programs through 2023. Importantly, we are communicating with Rhode Island’s energy-efficiency vendor community to better understand the impacts of COVID on their businesses and workforce, and working with the utility to ensure we can ramp up service delivery as the immediate crisis dissipates. 

Also, on April 27, we announced the availability of $1 million in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds to facilitate renewable project development on contaminated brownfields. Finally, we are working hard to launch an analytical and stakeholder process to support Governor Raimondo’s call for Rhode Island to meet 100% of its electricity demand with renewables by 2030 – another nation-leading initiative. Details on all of OER’s programs and initiatives are available on our website: http://www.energy.ri.gov/. 

The Ocean State has a load road ahead, but I remain optimistic about our future. As we move toward a new normal, let us not forget that climate change still represents a vital threat to our public health, economy, environment, and way of life. Yet, if COVID has taught us anything, it is that Rhode Island can pull together in times of crisis to meet – and overcome – the most daunting of challenges. It is with that spirit that I look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Ucci
Acting Commissioner    
Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources

Governor Gina Raimondo appointed Ron Gerwatowski Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission in June 2020. Chairman Gerwatowski has worked in the utility and energy industry for over thirty years. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Senior Regulatory Advisor to the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. For the past four years, he has been a guest lecturer and instructor in the Energy Fellows Program at the University of Rhode Island.

We asked Chairman Gerwatowski about the PUC and his vision for the next year and beyond.

1. For our readers who are not energy experts, can you describe what the PUC does and what your role is there?

The Public Utilities Commission is a “quasi-judicial” agency.  The utilities we regulate have statutory requirements to obtain approvals from the Commission, such as rate increases, procurement contracts, energy efficiency programs, and other matters. It is the role of the Commission to consider the proposals and issue orders approving or denying the requests based on an evidentiary record, much like a court. When rate changes are proposed, it is the role of the Commission to assure that the rates are just and reasonable, and that the utilities have the resources and are conducting their business in a way that assures safe and reliable service. We also have an important role to assure that the proposals being made by the utilities are consistent with the law and policies adopted by the General Assembly. Because the statutes do not always specify what is permissible and not permissible, the Commission also can fill regulatory gaps and issue directives designed to assure that the actions taken by utilities are in the public interest.

2. Looking ahead to 2021 and beyond, what are the major goals that you would like to accomplish as the new chairman?

3. The coronavirus pandemic has changed life for Rhode Islanders. In what way has the PUC changed in the face of the pandemic? Have your priorities shifted?

The last two questions call for a similar answer, so I will answer them together.

Unlike other agencies with policy-making responsibilities, the Commission in Rhode Island does not typically set policy goals or create initiatives. While we do establish policy standards for reviewing proposals, we largely operate as the last stop before a utility launches any initiative, whether the proposal is small or one with wide-ranging policy implications.  

Having said this, the economic difficulties being experienced in Rhode Island from the pandemic will be a significant point of reference for me as Chairman when the Commission considers the impacts of proposals in 2021. My goal would be to strive for rate stability during a very challenging time. 

As we strive to emerge from this short-term crisis, I recognize that we have some very important long-term objectives to achieve a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future. This presents the biggest challenge for the Commission because these three related objectives of “clean”, “affordable,” and “reliable” do not always neatly align with each other. It almost always requires a careful balancing of competing objectives that is not easy for the general public to appreciate. But that is a part of our job at the Commission.

The Rhode Island Army National Guard (RIARNG) completed the interconnection of its rooftop solar facility on the 56 Troop Command Armory Building at Camp Fogarty in East Greenwich. The $335,000 project is expected to generate $45,700 in annual energy savings. The 207kW solar facility is the largest rooftop solar array on a state facility in Rhode Island and is the ninth solar project contributing towards the state’s Lead by Example Initiative.

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.

In the last several years, the RIARNG has implemented several energy-related projects, including converting several facilities from oil or propane to natural gas, upgrading equipment to energy efficient systems, and LED lighting retrofit projects. In addition to the 207kw system, RIARNG is also in the process of procuring a 550kw system for their Combined Support Maintenance Shop at Camp Fogarty. The hope of implementing these solar projects is to eventually install storage components that will allow the facilities to run off electricity generated by the panels during power outages and natural disasters, so that RIARNG units can continue their missions without disruption.

Resiliency is important to the RIARNG, and implementing renewable energy will allow the organization to become more resilient. “The installation of a 207 kW-DC solar array on Camp Fogarty Armory made good organizational sense,” said COL Sean McKiernan, CFMO. “The array is the largest rooftop solar array the State of Rhode Island has installed on a state facility to date. As the RIARNG looks to the future, there are plans to construct a 550 kW-DC solar array in the fall of 2020, which will continue to advance the RIARNG closer to the Governor’s goal for a 100% renewable energy future. We all have a responsibility to safeguard our environment and serve as an example for others to follow.”

Providence-based Newport Renewables installed the net-metered solar array with its in-house team of electricians and renewable energy professionals. The company was also behind the three building installation on Capitol Hill administration buildings in 2018.

As Rhode Island’s largest water utility, Providence Water provides drinking water to approximately 600,000 Rhode Islanders. The company completed a 17,739-panel, ground-mounted, 4.99-megawatt solar project at its Pine Hill Road location in Johnston.

EDF Renewables designed and built the project at no cost to Providence Water. The Pine Hill Solar project, combined with the rooftop solar array on Providence Water’s Central Operation Facility, will provide Providence Water with 100 percent renewable energy and produce no greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to significant cost savings, the Pine Hill Road Solar Project has substantial environmental benefits, including reduced carbon dioxide emissions.

The utility company expects to save up to $600,000 in the first year, with an anticipated savings of $25 million in utility costs over the next 25 years. Providence Water has agreed to purchase power from EDF at a fixed rate of $0.0914/kWh for the next 25 years, with an additional ten-year option available.

“Sustainability has long been at the core of Providence Water’s mission, so working towards the goal of 100 percent renewable energy has been one of our most important initiatives,” said Ricky Caruolo, General Manager of Providence Water. “At our new headquarters, we installed a rooftop solar array, switched to energy-efficient LED lighting, purchased three zero-emissions Chevy Bolts and installed two electric vehicle charging stations. And now, with the completion of the 4.99-megawatt, 17,739-panel Pine Hill solar array, we have reached our goal of being powered by 100 percent renewable energy sources.”

The construction process required minimal tree clearing and less than one acre of land. Providence Water planted 61 seedlings near the cleared area to replace the removed trees. 

The Pine Hill Road Project was completed in July 2020 and began operation in August.

“This project could not have happened without the hard work of many Providence Water employees; our project partners, AEP OnSite Partners and EDF Renewables; and the Town of Johnston. Working cooperatively, we were able to bring this project from RFP to operation in two years,” said Caruolo.

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. The project will help reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 811 tons, equivalent to removing 159 vehicles from the road for one year, on average. 

Much of site’s exterior lighting had reached the end of its useful life, making this an opportune time for an upgrade. Improving the infrastructure, however, was just one of the project goals. The energy and maintenance cost savings of this large-scale project will be significant, as will reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Equally important is improved security resulting from increased and better-focused illumination across the complex. Finally, the project also upgraded the lighting of the outdoor prison exercise yards, improving conditions for both the inmates and security personnel.

The Pastore Complex, located in Cranston, covers approximately 325 acres of land and includes thirty-five buildings totaling 1.5 million square feet of floor space. It is home to a variety of state government agencies, including the Department of Motor Vehicles; Department of Labor & Training; Department of Business Regulation; Executive Offices of Health & Human Services; Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals; Department of Human Services; Healthcare Exchange; Office of the Child Advocate; Governor’s Commission on Disabilities; Fire Code Appeals Board; Labor Hearing Board; Traffic Tribunal; Parole Board; Department of Corrections; Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner; Department of Children, Youth & Families; and the Eleanor Slater Hospital Network. 

The Solution

The project was designed and installed under the auspices of the OER’s Lead by Example Program.  OER also committed Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds to support project financing, leveraged with energy efficiency program incentives and technical assistance delivered through the electric distribution utility. Throughout the process, OER worked closely with Rethinking Power Management (RPM), an engineering consultant, as well as with DOA, DOC and DCAMM to incorporate economic, environmental and safety goals. 

To begin, RPM developed a lighting plan. The plan defined replacement equipment, equipment locations, installation instructions for each fixture, additional fixture requirements, and repair opportunities. Rise Engineering, a Rhode Island company with years of lighting expertise, was selected as the installation contractor following a competitive bid process led by the state’s Division of Purchasing.

DCAMM headed a multi-agency management team for the installation portion of the project; RPM facilitated the process and weekly meetings. To start, the team refined the lighting plan and process for installation. Once products were approved and received, samples of each fixture type were vetted with the appropriate agency to ensure the design met expectations. From there, the team addressed questions and issues as the project moved forward. 

Ultimately, approximately 1,100 fixture upgrades were completed – including street and walkway lighting, wall-packs, parking lot lighting, and flood lighting. 

Acclaim

Response from agencies across the campus has been tremendous.

“The entire project was very well managed and the results are beneficial to our operations. Perimeter and parking patrols have commented on the overall brightness of both areas. Many thanks to all involved in this project.”  – Joe Costanzo, RI Department of Children, Family & Youth

“The upper parking lot is so much more visible. Great job.” – Dave Cannon, DOC

“You have improved the yard lighting by 100%.” – Captain Anthony Atella, DOC

Summary

The project will provide economic and environmental benefits for years to come. The project is estimated to reduce annual energy consumption by 1,040,205 kWh, thereby generating approximately $176,800 in electricity cost savings. Moreover, these installations will help reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 811 tons, equivalent to removing 159 vehicles from the road for one year, on average. 

From a project financing perspective, OER’s $283,563 commitment in RGGI funds was leveraged with $333,000 in utility-administered energy efficiency incentives.  The net cost to the State - $283,563 – will be paid back through energy savings in just two years. 

The Pastore Complex LED lighting project will also enhance security and improve comfort for all who work there, live there or visit – improvements that will last years into the future. These include:

• Improved safety and security for campus occupants

• Better illumination across the complex

• Streamlined inventory requirements

• Extended hours for outdoor recreation at the correctional facilities

• Reduced vandalism

Based on its cost-effectiveness and other myriad benefits, additional improvements at the site and across the state are being considered.

The Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility recently installed a new Combined Heat and Power system to reduce its dependence on the energy grid by approximately 36%. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the concurrent production of electricity and useable thermal energy from a single energy source. The CHP system will allow NBC to become more energy-efficient and reduce costs. 

The heart of the new system is a 644 kW (gross capacity) engine-generator that operates on biogas created through anaerobic sludge digestion. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which microorganisms break down biodegradable materials in an absence of oxygen. It produces a combustible biogas that is in turn used to generate energy. The new CHP system will use a blend of 59% biogas and 41% natural gas. 

The Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility is Rhode Island’s second-largest wastewater treatment facility. It treats wastewater through biological nutrient removal and ultraviolet disinfection. The facility required an average of 1.5 MW of power throughout 2019, which equates to an annual electric bill of $1.8 million. Historically, the Bucklin Point facility has used biogas only for heating and has safely flared any excess. 

The total cost of the CHP project was $6,440,000. The NBC received several financial incentives, including $682,300 from National Grid, $200,000 from the Renewable Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and $80,000 from the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund. In addition, NBC will sell the electric renewable energy credits from the project to help pay for it. 

“We have galvanized a strong commitment from every part of the organization,” said NBC Chairman Vincent Mesolella. “The Board of Commissioners made a commitment to pursuing 100% sustainable energy for the NBC nearly twenty years ago. With each new clean energy project, the NBC gets closer to this ambitious goal. This commitment makes sense from an environmental standpoint, and also benefits the NBC’s ratepayers.”

The energy the CHP system produces will also provide most of the heat necessary to warm the anaerobic digesters that power it. Only during the coldest part of the winter will the system rely on other sources of heating. At that time, natural gas-fired boilers will provide additional heat.   

The project was completed in late 2020 and is expected to go online for continuous operation in the first quarter of 2021

Homeowner Melissa Buttaro of Lincoln, Rhode Island, called Newport Electric Construction (NEC) Solar to install a Tesla Powerwall 13.5kWh battery in her home. The Tesla Powerwall is a fully-integrated AC battery system designed for residential and light commercial use.

With a rechargeable battery pack, it stores solar power for later use, as well as providing time-based control and backup. Her existing rooftop solar system plus battery storage will pay for itself in 10 years and save $44,000 over the next 25 years. She was also able to use several incentive programs to finance the project. NEC completed the project in June of 2020.

NEC Solar had previously installed solar panels on Melissa’s home in 2019. Last spring, the company informed her about several incentive programs available. These included the federal tax credit, 0% financing through the Rhode Island HEAT Loan program, and the Connected Solutions program, which allows property owners to sell their stored solar energy to National Grid during peak usage. 

“When they mentioned energy storage options to me at the start of the pandemic, there seemed to be a lot of insecurity in the world at that time,” Melissa says. “I realized how essential power is for working from home and staying connected with friends and family. I wanted a secure source of energy and to reduce my reliance on the grid.”

Once Melissa learned more about Tesla Powerwall, including about its ability to detect a grid outage and switch to solar battery power in a fraction of a second, she was sold. “The decision to buy one essentially became a no-brainer,” she declares. “I didn't have a generator at the time, and now I don't worry about not being able to work from home, or the pipes freezing when I leave town in the winter." 

The Powerwall is compact and takes up minimal space in Melissa’s garage. She is so pleased with the Powerwall that she has recommended it to several family members, and her parents now have two in their home.

“Homeowners are looking to be self-sufficient and use the energy that their solar systems produce daily at night and be prepared in an emergency or black out,” said Taylor Yeager, director of sales for NEC Solar. “The generous incentives of the REF grant, Connected Solutions Program, and tax incentives have brought front and center the conversation of storage and solar. We are excited to be able to offer a diverse range of storage solutions, incorporating varied chemistry and power output to fit any homeowner’s needs."