State Recognizes 3 New York City Hospitals and 3 Energy Service Companies for Reducing Electric Demand

October 9, 2007

Over $1 million in energy costs and 7 million kilowatt hours saved

Albany, NY- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) presented awards to three hospitals and three energy service companies today in recognition of their energy efficiency upgrades and measures that will significantly reduce their electric consumption. The awards are made through NYSERDA’s Peak-Load Reduction Program, which is designed to improve the reliability of New York’s electric grid while helping businesses and industries reduce operating costs.

Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA said, “Governor Spitzer has laid out an ambitious energy plan that aims to reduce our State’s electric consumption 15 percent by 2015. The awards being presented today will not only help to meet that goal, but will also allow the hospitals to redirect funds into vital healthcare services. I would not only like to congratulate the hospitals being recognized, but the energy service companies for their steadfast partnership in identifying areas in which businesses and industry could become more energy efficient and help all of us to reduce electric consumption.”

New York Methodist and Mount Sinai Hospitals, along with New York Medical College, were each presented a plaque in recognition of their energy efficiency projects that will significantly reduce load demand during peak summer hours.

New York Methodist hospital received a $560,000 for the installation of two new, high efficiency dual-stage absorption chillers. This will reduce the hospital’s demand by 1,390 kW and save them over $234,000 annually.

Mount Sinai received a $265,000 incentive for a lighting project plus an additional $65,000 under NYSERDA’s Commercial Industrial Performance Program to retrofit existing, inefficient T12 lighting fixtures with modern, high efficiency T8 fluorescent technology. This will reduce Mount Sinai’s annual energy usage by over 4 Million kWh and demand by almost 700 kW, saving them over $625,000 annually, while greatly improving the overall quality of light as well as the user comfort level of the working and healing environment.

“Mt. Sinai is committed to continually finding ways to reduce our energy consumption.” said Benedict Ciferri, Vice President of Facilities Management and Engineering, Mt Sinai Hospital.

“We work closely with NYSERDA in identifying and implementing opportunities. In addition to reducing our energy usage we incorporate Green technology into the design of our various facilities projects. This covers the spectrum from high efficiency lighting, daylight harvesting to products such as linoleum flooring. These types of initiatives make perfect sense as they help the environment as well as our bottom line” Ciferri added.

New York Medical College received a $400,000 incentive that was used to install three high efficiency electric chillers and consolidated the air distribution system within the college. This will reduce New York Medical College’s annual energy usage by 4 Million kWh and demand by 843 kW, saving them over $550,000 annually.

Combined, the three hospitals will save over $1 million a year in operating expenses and reduce electric consumption by over 7 million kilowatt hours per year. To date, the Peak Load Reduction Program has reduced statewide load by 504 megawatts of electricity and has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 70,000 tons-the equivalent of removing over 14,000 cars from road.

"Time and time again, public sector entities like NYSERDA play a leading role in promoting energy efficiency,” said Jorge Lopez, President and CEO of ConEdison Solutions. “As ConEdison Solutions marks its tenth anniversary, we are proud to be recognized by our partners at NYSERDA for our common efforts to make New York State the most energy-efficient state in the nation.”

LC Associates, NES Energy, and Con Edison Solutions were each presented awards for their work in numerous cooling, motor, and lighting projects.

The Peak-Load Reduction Program is split into two components-Permanent Demand Reduction and Demand Response-with $37 million in incentives available through February 2008 for projects that meet the goals of either component.

The Permanent Demand Reduction component provides incentives towards measures that reduce electric demand during summer weekday afternoons for five years or more and increase the energy efficiency of the building. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to installing energy-efficient lighting, upgrading air conditioning or chillers, replacing motors, or other custom measures that permanently reduce power consumption.

The Demand Response component provides incentives for measures that temporarily reduce electric demand on the few days when there is a risk to the power grid. Steps taken that raise a buildings thermostat a few degrees in response to a grid emergency, dim lights, shift load to a back up generator, or otherwise reduce electric demand are eligible for incentives.

For more information, please visit NYSERDA.

Contact:

Colleen Ryan, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext 3359
cqr@nyserda.ny.gov