CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- Al-Jon Manufacturing and John Deere-Ottumwa Works were two of ten businesses and schools honored by Alliant Energy for leading the state in energy efficient building construction, processes or plant upgrades. The awards were presented today at Alliant Energy’s Energy Summit. The organizations receiving the “2009 Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award” were recognized for their leadership and vision in integrating energy efficiency in to the design, construction or operation of their business.
“Energy efficiency addresses both energy cost concerns and our environment,” said Dundeana Doyle, Senior Vice President-Energy Delivery for Alliant Energy. “We’re recognizing Al-Jon Manufacturing and John Deere-Ottumwa Works for the tremendous impact they have made on their energy usage, as well as their carbon footprint.” Selection of the 2009 winners was based on a variety of criteria such as energy savings, programs implemented, the number and kinds of projects completed, technology applied or a unique application of energy-efficiency technologies.
Al-Jon Manufacturing retrofitted its facility in Ottumwa with new, energy-efficient lighting. Utilizing Alliant Energy’s Performance Contracting Program, Al-Jon Manufacturing reduced the total number of fixtures and their kilowatt hour usage by 68 percent.
Al-Jon Manufacturing replaced older fluorescent lighting fixtures with high-lumen, high-efficiency T5 and T8 lamps and ballasts. Occupancy sensors were also installed throughout the manufacturing, warehousing, and office areas to allow for automatic lighting shut-off. The project encompassed approximately 94,000 square feet of manufacturing, warehousing, and office space. The retrofit, through excellent cooperation and coordination by all parties involved, was completed with no disruptions to operations.
“The successful completion of the lighting project further illustrates to our customers, employees, and community, our continued commitment to green initiatives and waste reduction,” said CEO Kendig Kneen.
John Deere’s Ottumwa Works participated in Alliant Energy’s Performance Contracting program for a multi-phase facility lighting retrofit. Older, less efficient lighting was replaced with 3,425 new, greener, energy-efficient T8 lamps in two phases. Phase I saved the manufacturer over 3.8 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity; Phase II saved nearly 2.9 million kWh for a total of 6.7 million kWh. That’s equivalent to annual power consumption of 677 typical Midwest homes for one year.
“We have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by lowering energy consumption and simultaneously improving our employee environment with the completion of this lighting project. We appreciate Alliant Energy’s cooperation in helping us achieve this new level of green,” said Dejan Djordjevich, Manager of Maintenance and Facilities.
The 2009 Excellence in Energy Efficiency Awards showcase Alliant Energy’s commercial and industrial customers whose energy-efficiency initiatives yielded the most significant cost and energy-savings results in the previous year. The awards were presented during the 2010 Energy Summit program. The program provided attendees with a variety of energy-related educational sessions, technical information and energy solutions. Participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas and strategies with companies that have successfully implemented energy efficiency projects.
Through Performance Contracting, Iowa businesses can invest in energy-efficient equipment, new technology, processes and materials with no out-of-pocket capital expense. Performance Contracting projects are paid from the energy and quantitative non-energy savings of the new equipment. This program is available to Alliant Energy’s retail electric and/or natural gas customers in Iowa. To qualify, energy-efficiency projects must be located within Alliant Energy’s Iowa service territory. For more information, call 1-866-ALLIANT or visit www.alliantenergy.com/performancecontracting.
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