Denver International Airport launched an $83 million, multi-year Energy Performance Contract (EPC) with McKinstry Essention to cut energy and water use at the airport and reduce its carbon footprint.
The contract began with an audit of more than 8 million square feet of airport facilities. The implementation process began in October and will continue over a seven-year period, including three years of construction followed by a measurement and verification period.
The audit identified more than 60 possible sustainability opportunities across the airport. Those were prioritized to seven high-value measures for implementation. The project includes lighting, water and cooling tower sub-meter improvements, with most of the work focused on energy controls management systems to improve energy efficiency.
Project outcome will be measured and verified upon completion. The contract guarantees 19.6% in energy savings, 28.3% in water reduction and 30,278 metric tons in annual CO2e reduction.
Details on the scope of work include 38,100 LED lamp replacements, retrofits, and new fixtures; and replacing and optimizing building controls systems in two of the airport’s three concources, the airport office building, and terminal. The program also aims to reduce sewer charges by $130,000 annually, in part by replacing hundreds of valves in airport restrooms.
Once the project is implemented, the total savings is projected at around $5 million a year including utility savings, as well as operational savings tied to longer-lasting LED lights and the energy management controls system.
Minority and women-owned businesses in the contracting community are promised a minimum of $17 million in subcontracts, according to the press release.
The program was supported by the Colorado Energy Office.
