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Texas School District Unlocks $25M in Energy Savings

San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District Partners with Schneider Electric to Generate $25 Million in Energy Savings

San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District (CISD), located in Del Rio, Texas, has  leveraged the district's energy budget to fund much-needed infrastructure upgrades that will help the district save money and improve the learning environment for its students. Once completed, San Felipe Del Rio CISD will reduce its utility consumption by 35 percent, with guaranteed savings of $25 million over the course of the 20-year project.

San Felipe Del Rio CISD is strategically addressing challenges associated with deferred maintenance and increasing energy consumption and operational costs from its aging mechanical and electrical distribution systems. San Felipe Del Rio CISD will save an average of $1.25 million in energy and maintenance expenses annually over the life of the project, while simultaneously streamlining district operations and attracting and retaining students and faculty.

“We are proud to provide San Felipe Del Rio CISD with solutions that not only make its facilities more efficient and sustainable, but also help reallocate dollars back into classrooms where they are needed most,” said Tammy Fulop, vice president of Energy and Sustainability Services at Schneider Electric. “These types of public-private partnerships make it possible for cash-strapped school districts, large and small, to achieve their vision for a better learning environment without compromising their financial well-being.”

Renovations will be made to 20 buildings throughout the district, 15 of which are schools. Specific energy conservation improvements include:

  • Interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades
  • Water conservation upgrades
  • Building automation system upgrades
  • Unitary HVAC replacements
  • District-wide plug load control
  • Power factor correction at Del Rio High School and Garfield Elementary School
  • Building envelope upgrades
  • Utility procurement changes

Del Rio High School will undergo a complete energy efficiency transformation with additional upgrades made to its air handler, DOAS (dedicated outside air systems) and cooling tower as well as boiler and electric distribution replacements.

“This comprehensive infrastructure improvement project will create a more inviting, comfortable environment where our students and staff can thrive and supports our vision to embrace a belief in developing a strong culture of Courage, Collaboration, Innovation and Self-Direction,” said San Felipe Del Rio CISD Superintendent Dr. Carlos Rios. “Schneider Electric’s strong track record for implementing energy savings projects in K-12 schools made them an ideal partner to provide a safe and nurturing environment so that San Felipe Del Rio CISD can produce learners that will excel academically, in their future careers, and in life.”

Construction is underway and is scheduled to be complete by spring 2020.

The San Felipe Del Rio CISD project will have a sizable environmental impact on the community. Once completed, this energy efficiency project will provide energy efficiency savings equivalent to removing 739 cars from the road, planting 109,168 new trees or removing over 4,456 tons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Over the past 25 years, Schneider Electric has successfully implemented more than 700 energy savings performance contract (ESPC) projects across the nation, saving its clients nearly $2 billion. This project delivery method helps publicly funded entities make capital improvements over longer payback periods and offers many long-term benefits such as improved facility efficiency, occupant comfort, financial management and environmental protection.

For more information on how Schneider Electric helps K-12 schools tackle energy efficiency, please visit www.enable.schneider-electric.com or contact your local Schneider Electric representatives.