Client Overview and Project Background
The Colorado Department of Corrections (DoC) is the agency responsible for running Colorado’s state prisons and correctional facilities. The DoC operates 20 state-run correctional facilities.
In 2019, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed an executive order with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions across state government by at least 10 percent below 2014-15 levels by the end of fiscal year 2022-23. The Colorado DoC is one of the largest energy users of all state agencies in Colorado, so their primary goal was to get their energy usage down and reduce their carbon emissions to be in compliance with the Governor’s executive order.
Solutions Implemented
Since the DoC operates across the state of Colorado, their facilities fall under the service territories of both Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy. Leveraging the energy efficiency programs of each utility, we were able to set up a comprehensive portfolio of programs that the DoC could take advantage of to achieve their goals. We ensured that the DoC could benefit from each utility’s respective offerings. For facilities in Black Hills territory, we focused on their no-cost ASHRAE Level II audits. We also provided Strategic Energy Management (SEM) for facilities that are serviced by both Black Hills and Xcel Energy.
Implementation Process
The project began with a thorough energy audit of each prison facility, 7 in total. By nature, prisons are designed to function like a miniature city, with all of the necessary services on-site. This includes laundry, food service, wastewater, trash, in addition to HVAC, lighting and refrigeration. Therefore, the audits had to be all-encompassing and look closely at the facility and the way it operates.
Once each facility’s audit was completed, we created a clear pathway for the DoC to achieve their goals. We presented the findings of each audit with the DoC facility team on site, allowing them to ask questions on implementation. Once the DoC determined which measures they wanted to move forward with, Michaels worked directly with the client’s controls vendor to implement the identified measures.
We also enrolled several facilities in a Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program, provided by Black Hills Energy or Xcel Energy, depending on the territory. The SEM program helps customers to understand and manage their energy usage, assign team members accountability, and implement a series of organizational practices aimed at creating energy savings.
Additionally, we performed one facility recommissioning assessment for the DoC.
How did we do?
The energy efficiency upgrades resulted in a savings of 1,699,402 kWh saved across two facilities, equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from 318 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year, or 148 homes’ energy use for one year. This kWh savings is also equivalent to carbon sequestered by 1,366 acres of U.S. forests in one year.
For the DoC, Michaels Energy secured rebate savings equivalent to $69,789. Additionally, we identified potential savings of 3,866,107 kWh at the remaining facilities, and rebate estimated potential of up to $126,560.
This comprehensive portfolio of energy savings solutions ensured that the DoC was able to maximize their opportunity for improved efficiency. Ultimately, this project allowed the DoC to achieve compliance with the Governor’s executive order and control energy costs. As an added benefit, it heightened awareness of energy usage at each facility throughout the DoC.
Don’t take our word for it, here’s what Ashley Clark, Director of Finance and Administration for the Colorado Department of Corrections had to say:
“Our partnership with Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy are paving the way for significant energy savings across CDOC facilities. With ongoing energy audits, we’re identifying actionable improvements, from LED retrofits to automated systems that boost efficiency and cut costs. By investing in sustainable upgrades and working closely with local maintenance teams, we’re on track to make meaningful reductions in energy consumption that benefit both DOC, the communities we serve, and future generations.”
