Clovis Unified takes a pro-active approach to managing energy use at its schools and district facilities in order to be a good steward of both its financial resources and the local environment.
The District’s energy management staff has two primary goals:
- Maintain comfort and safety in occupied facilities
- Operate efficiently and effectively to eliminate energy waste and save energy operating dollars
During our many modernizations, the District installed numerous Energy Efficient Measures (ECM), which reduced energy use/consumption at all of our facilities. Examples of ECMs installed included interior/exterior LED lighting, high efficiency chillers/boilers, HVAC package units, gym lighting, pool VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives). The installed ECMs also qualified for Prop 39 funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The District qualified for and received $9.2 million in matching funds which helped offset the costs of the 2 million. The ECMs helped the District reduce its operating costs and improved health and safety conditions in our schools and support facilities.
CUSD uses less overall energy (electricity and natural gas) today than it did 12 years ago despite opening 4 new schools (Clovis North/Granite Ridge; Bud Rank Elementary; Oraze Elementary and Boris Elementary) which is quite an achievement considering over 1.4 million square feet of conditioned space was added.
The Energy Department helps eliminate energy waste by:
- Coordinating facility usage with our Energy Management System/Building Automation System (EMS/BAS) to ensure lighting and HVAC equipment are only on when needed
- Monitoring operational efficiency of equipment
- Auditing every building monthly
- Tracking and analyzing energy consumption for building efficiency
- Pursuing third party accreditation of energy conservation through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Building Label for Clovis Unified facilities
The Energy Department helps reduce energy costs by:
- Minimizing consumption and demand charges throughout the District’s facilities
- Evaluating usage trends for abnormalities
- Maximizing the District’s use of rebate and grant programs to reduce utility expenses (the District has received over $1.5 million in rebates for installed ECMs
Because of the large energy demands of a school district the size of Clovis Unified, it is our financial and environmental responsibility to make every effort to reduce our energy footprint. We would also like to invite the community to help us conserve our natural resources.
The California Energy Commission (CEC) selected Clovis Unified School District to be featured on their Energy Strategies blog. Click to access:
CEC Energy LinkIn 2013, the District purchased and installed Photo Voltaic (PV) solar arrays at 23 sites. These sites generate over 8 million kWh (kilo Watt hours) worth of electricity which is enough to meet 20% of our annual needs. This production has helped offset our electrical costs by $1.8 million per year. In 2017, the District entered into a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) with SolarCity to install PV arrays at an additional 23 sites along with battery storage at the 5 high schools. This PPA arrangement will reduce the District’s energy budget by an additional $1 million per year.