West Hartford Looks For Ways To Cut Energy Costs

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Nov 28, 2008 (The Hartford Courant - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- OPL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- WEST HARTFORD -- The town is looking to reduce energy costs, which exceed $16 million a year.

Tighter windows, dimmer lights, controls on air flow, after-school programs in one building instead of three, centralized storage, solar power -- "capturing these conservation opportunities could result in significant savings," said West Hartford resident Paul Popinchalk, a mechanical engineer and member of the town's clean energy task force.

Next month, town council member Tim Brennan will ask for the council's backing to pursue a comprehensive plan to save on electricity, water use, gasoline, oil, natural gas -- in short, everything the town consumes.

Brennan wants the energy task force, town officials, town hall workers, teachers, students, and residents to work together to come up with a written strategy.

"I want all the stake-holders in on this," said Brennan. "The plan would identify efficiencies and alternative sources of energy."

Officials are now working on a small piece of what they hope will become a greener, leaner energy policy.

They are looking to sign a power-purchase agreement with a solar energy company. The company would install solar panels on several town buildings, and own and maintain those panels. The town would buy the power generated by the panels, saving roughly $5,000 to $10,000 in electricity costs annually over the life of a 20-year contract.

Two California-based companies are vying for the work, Tioga Energy and Borrego Solar. Town officials are trying to negotiate the best price agreement, said Brennan. Up to four town and school buildings and as many as 400 kilowatts of solar electricity would be involved. This would be in addition to solar power systems already operating at several schools.

Energy companies get subsidies through the state's Clean Energy Fund to help buy the panels and towns have to produce energy audits of the buildings, Brennan said.

The audits are valuable because they help towns recognize additional ways to save money, he said.

Plainville recently signed a purchase agreement with Opel International Inc. of Shelton, said Town Manager Robert Lee. He said rotating solar panels that follow the sun will be installed on the Linden Street School.

Popinchalk said he'd like to see West Hartford begin to use solar thermal power to heat water for public buildings.

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