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."

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is collaborating with the City of East Providence and Kearsarge Energy on a solar installation project along the city’s waterfront.  RIPTA will receive credit from the power generated by the solar installation, which will save an estimated $250,000 annually in energy costs, while the clean energy produced from the site will save approximately 62,000 tons of carbon emissions over the next 25 years. 

Kearsarge Energy completed construction of the nine acre, 6,000 panel solar installation in December of 2020.   Located on the site of the former Dexter Road Tank Farm in East Providence, the solar installation will generate new tax revenue for the city.  The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources assisted RIPTA in creating a net energy proposal beneficial to all parties.  

“This project is a win on many levels,” said Scott Avedisian, RIPTA’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are saving money, we are using sustainable clean energy, and we are tapping into a solar farm that brought new life to waterfront property that needed remediation. As we move toward adding more zero-emission electric buses, we know that they will need charging infrastructure and that finding economical and eco-friendly energy sources is of increasing importance.”

Through the public-private partnership Kearsarge Energy was able to lease formerly underutilized land to build a clean energy resource that will provide clean energy credits for RIPTA and tax revenue for the next 20 years to the city.  The project went from conception to reality in under a year due to the East Providence Waterfront Commission’s streamlined review process and cooperation by all involved.  

“Projects that utilize zero-emission, sustainable energy are a priority in our state, as is our commitment to cleaner air quality,” said Governor Daniel McKee.  “This collaborative effort helps us move toward our goals and benefits taxpayers in the process.”

“RIPTA continues to lead by example with this latest zero-emission energy project. OER applauds its commitment to cleaner energy sources, particularly as Rhode Island works to reduce its economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions and support local jobs and investment,” said State Energy Commissioner Nicholas Ucci.

Electric cars have been on the rise in Rhode Island for years, but lesser-known electric motorcycles are also appearing on the road. Russ’ Ocean State Harley-Davidson in Warwick, Rhode Island, recently installed a ChargePoint DC fast charger utilizing the State’s Electrify RI - Electric Vehicle Charging Station Incentive Program. The charger is available for customer use and can also be used by the public to charge any electric vehicle, including motorcycles.

“As Harley-Davidson begins to make EV motorcycles, it is important for us to be a part of the infrastructure buildout that will support the operation of these vehicles,” says Dana Bishop of Russ’ Ocean State Harley-Davidson.  

The Harley-Davidson company has launched its first EV motorcycle called the LiveWire. The LiveWire has 85.6 ft-lb engine torque with range between 95 and 146 miles depending on driving conditions. Using a DC fast charger, it can go from 0-80% charge in 40 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes.

Electrify RI is an electric vehicle charging station incentive program, administered by OER that seeks to make more charging stations accessible to Rhode Island drivers. The program has earmarked $1.4 million in VW settlement funds for EV charging stations at multi-unit dwellings, workplaces, state and local government properties, and publicly accessible locations. The increased availability of charging stations will encourage state residents and business to make the switch to electric vehicles in order to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions and pollutants. As of today, the Level II charger program has been fully subscribed and limited funding remains for DC fast chargers. More information may be found at http://www.energy.ri.gov/electrifyri.php.

Tell us about your background.

In 2017, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Shortly after and prior to OER, I was employed at the Department of Environmental Management in the Office of Customer and Technical Assistance and worked on governmental applications. 

What led you to work at OER?

I have always been interested in the environment and sustainability. I came across the position at OER online and saw that my interests aligned with the office’s goal of advancing the development of renewable and clean energy resources throughout Rhode Island. As an advocate for the environment, this position suited my goals and career path.

What do you see as the biggest opportunity for Rhode Island in adopting clean energy?

In my opinion, one significant opportunity for Rhode Island is to continue reducing up-front barriers so more local consumers – particularly our most vulnerable populations – can take part in the energy, economic, environmental, and resiliency benefits of clean energy.  All Rhode Island residents and businesses will need to play a role in reducing our carbon footprint if we are to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.  I am excited about the work ahead of us, and working with our valued stakeholders and the community to develop affordable pathways toward clean energy adoption. 

Name: Jackie Olivieri

Job Title: Programming Services Officer

Hometown: North Providence, RI

Favorite Food: Pasta

Favorite hobby and/or sport: Soccer   

Ideal Vacation: Italy or Greece

Personal hero: My father

Favorite music: Classic 90s/R&B

Favorite movie: Halloween (The Original)

A cause or charity that’s important to me: World Wildlife Fund

“The EV charging stations are being used every day,” said Jim Murphy, sustainability coordinator for Rhode Island College. “We get requests from students, faculty and staff to install more due to the increase of electric vehicle use. They serve as an example of Rhode Island College’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint.”

Rhode Island College installed its first EV charging station in 2013 with support from OER. The eight ChargePoint stations, installed by DK Power, offer 16 EV charging ports. Combined, they collectively average 152 plug-ins per month and the average plug-in time is 2 hours and 58 minutes. To date, the EV charging stations have avoided 10,000 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to planting 250 trees and growing them for 10 years. 

In addition to the eight EV charging stations on campus, RIC has also installed many energy efficiency measures as well as a 111-kilowatt solar array. In 2017, Rhode Island College was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Green Ribbon School, as a result of its commitment to sustainability.

Electrify RI is an electric vehicle charging station incentive program, administered by OER that seeks to make more charging stations accessible to Rhode Island drivers. The program has earmarked $1.4 million in VW settlement funds for EV charging stations at multi-unit dwellings, workplaces, state and local government properties, and publicly accessible locations. The increased availability of charging stations will encourage state residents and businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles in order to reduce transportation-related carbon emissions and pollutants. More information may be found at http://www.energy.ri.gov/electrifyri.php.

On a bittersweet note, Barbara Cesaro, OER’s Interdepartmental Project Manager, will be retiring at the end of July after 35 years of working in Rhode Island government. She has been with OER for the past 11 ½ years. We asked Barbara to reflect on her career, her fondest memories of state service, and what she plans to do in retirement.

Please tell us about the programs you worked on at OER.

Currently, my work has focused on transportation initiatives, RGGI and the DOE State Energy Program. I started my work at OER managing over $23M of DOE State Energy Program American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. One of those early projects, funded with the ARRA dollars was the installation of 50 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state. I am currently working on Electrify Rhode Island – an electric vehicle charging station incentive program. The program seeks to make more charging stations accessible to RI drivers. As I reflect on my time at OER, it seems I have come full circle.

Tell us about your career in government.

I began working for the state 35 years ago. I initially spent several years at the DOT, followed by over twenty years at DEM. While at the Office of Air Resources, I was responsible for developing and implementing both the Operating Permit Program and the RI CO2 Budget Trading Program (also known as RGGI).  Over eleven years ago, eager to make a change and learn something new, I transferred to the Office of Energy Resources. It was one of the best decisions I ever made as it opened up entirely new subject matters for me to explore around clean energy and climate change mitigation. 

Reflecting on your time at OER, what will you miss?

I will miss the daily interaction with my co-workers. It has been a delight to work with such a dedicated, intelligent and thoughtful group. I will also miss many state and federal colleagues with whom I have developed strong and fruitful relationships over the years. 

I especially enjoyed being the state coordinator for the National Energy Education Development Project. I planned and coordinated a yearly event that recognized students and teachers that participated in the program. The NEED Project provides students and teachers a hands-on curriculum that brings the science of energy out of the textbook. I loved seeing what the students learned about energy. 

What are you most looking forward to in retirement? 

Spending more time in Michigan and South Carolina with my husband, children and their families. I’m excited by the prospect of being with my grandchildren, Nora, William, Beau and Paige, as they grow. Knitting, reading, gardening, volunteering at a local animal shelter and finally finishing my second children’s book, A Slice of Pizza, are also in the mix. When COVID-19 is behind us, I’m hoping to cross off a few more items from my bucket list: a visit to the Shetland Islands, Patagonia and a river cruise in France. 

What is a cause or charity that’s important to you?

There is a soft spot in my heart for animals, all animals. We currently have two rescue dogs (Pedro and Sophie) from Puerto Rico who bring great joy and happiness to our lives. I look forward to spending more time with them and taking them on long walks. I am especially attached to the “The Sato Project” which is an organization dedicated to rescuing abused and abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico.

Barbara, thank you for your service to OER and Rhode Island. We will miss you!

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.

Built in 1976, the Central Falls Calcutt Middle School, serves over 700 students in grades 5-8. The school was using older fluorescent lights and was overdue for an upgrade to newer LED smart lights.

Calcutt Middle School took advantage of a brand-new State program called the School LED Lighting Accelerator, which provides lighting, and other energy upgrades, free of charge to schools. In total, the school replaced 1,032 light fixtures in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, library, gym and other areas.

Lighting is critically important, not just for energy cost savings, but also for safety and the quality of the learning environment for students and teachers. Better lighting makes it easier to concentrate and improves mood and motivation. Furthermore, the LEDs each come with sensors to adjust to the changing natural light conditions throughout the day, dimming when there is adequate sunlight and automatically brightening when the sun is hidden.

By using the School LED Lighting Accelerator program, Calcutt Middle School received $282,513 ($198,828 from the Office of Energy Resources and $83,685 from National Grid) worth of lighting upgrades at zero cost to school department.

As a result, the school is expected to lower its energy use by 129,119 kWh per year which is equal to $21,304 in saved energy costs per year. Additionally, the new lights will also save the school $14,378 in maintenance costs, resulting in a combined estimated annual savings of $35,682!

“We are thrilled with the School LED Lighting Accelerator program. The application was easy and we received expert technical support from the Office of Energy Resources. I would highly recommend this to any school that needs a lighting upgrade and instant energy savings," said Rory Marty, Director of Operations & Safety, Central Falls School Dept.

For more information about the School LED Lighting Accelerator program, please contact George Sfinarolakis (george.sfinarolakis@energy.ri.gov) or Nathan Cleveland (nathan.cleveland@energy.ri.gov) of the R.I. Office of Energy Resources.

Steve Chybowski joined OER in December 2021 as chief of program development, with a focus on energy efficiency, buildings optimization and decarbonization. We are delighted to have him on our team and asked him to introduce himself to our readers.

Tell us about your background.

I completed my undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and my graduate studies at Indiana University. After college, I worked with the City of Fishers, Indiana where I led the City’s sustainability efforts and developed the community’s first greenhouse gas emissions inventories. Then, I worked with Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute where I provided education and training to local government staff throughout the state of Indiana on energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities. In 2021, I moved to Rhode Island and joined OER where I now lead its energy efficiency programming.

What led you to work at OER? 

I chose to work at OER because I want to make the world and my community a better place for future generations, and I believe that public service and the public sector gives me the opportunity to do so. OER is a national leader on energy policy and I’m proud to be a part of this team. 

What do you see as the biggest challenge for Rhode Island in adopting clean energy? 

There are a lot of exciting developments happening in the clean energy space and it is our goal to make sure that everyone has the most up-to-date and accurate information available to them. By keeping Rhode Islanders informed about the options available to them for energy efficiency and renewable energy, we can ensure that each resident, business, and Rhode Island energy customer is making the best choice for meeting their individual needs.

Hometown:  Flint, MI 

Favorite Food: I love all foods and am open to trying anything!  

Favorite hobby and/or sport: Playing guitar and soccer, and I enjoy watching Michigan State football and basketball 

Ideal Vacation: Anywhere with a warm beach and soft sand   

Personal hero: My grandparents 

Favorite music: Indie and alternative rock 

Favorite movie: Pixar’s Coco   

A cause or charity that’s important to me: Putting an end to climate change and all the great organizations working in the environmental space