WHAT WE DO > Energy Efficiency Services

 

NYPA’S "Power to Schools" program is earning high marks from officials at public and private schools across the state. This initiative, authorized by the state legislature in 2004, helps K-12 public and private schools conserve energy and save money by providing them with additional options to improve energy efficiency and utilize clean energy technologies.

Energy Services

Under the Power to Schools program, we are installing energy efficiency projects (such as lighting upgrades, high-efficiency motors for heating and ventilation, replacement or renovation of boilers and chillers, lighting occupancy sensors, insulation and energy management systems) that can cut energy costs.

We are also assisting schools to take advantage of clean energy technologies such as solar photovoltaic panels, fuel cells, microturbines, combined heat and power projects and other distributed generation projects that reduce reliance on fossil fuel power plants, lower emissions of greenhouse gases and help to improve environmental quality.

Our first project, for the Albany City School District, replaced an inefficient steam boiler plant with two new boilers and installed a temperature control system. Additional work, to install new chillers at Albany High School, is now underway, with more savings expected. District savings, once all construction costs are paid off, are expected to be more than $131,000 a year. 

And in upstate South Glens Falls, a $3.3 million project included lighting upgrades and boiler replacement in all six district schools. It will save more than $200,000 a year and remove 881 tons of greenhouse gas from the air annually.

To spread the word about Power to Schools, we continue to hold outreach forums in various parts of the state. Officials from both public and private schools are mailed invitations when we offer an outreach forum in their area.

Public schools within the five boroughs of New York City need prior approval from the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Office of Energy Conservation, before NYPA can begin a project within their specific school.

Between 1987 and 2011, NYPA provided nearly $1.5 billion in financing for energy efficiency, renewable resources and clean transportation projects for school districts, as well as eligible local governments and hospitals.  NYPA’s energy efficiency projects have already cleaned the air and lowered electric bills for more than 4,600 schools and public facilities statewide—and are currently in progress at 440 additional locations.

Contact Us

This program is open to K - 12 schools in New York State. If you are a school administrator and are interested in exploring possible energy services or clean energy technologies programs for your school, please contact:

Brian Vattimo
518-433-6734 or
PowertoschoolsESP@NYPA.gov