CNMI Division of Energy projects continue to move

The CNMI Division of Energy continues to push forward with the various energy efficiency and renewable energy projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With grant closure deadlines quickly approaching, many of the projects that are funded through the CNMI Division of Energy are making their way toward completion.

To date, the CNMI Division of Energy, through State Energy Plan grant funding, has been able to successfully complete half of the contracted projects funded through ARRA monies, which include the replacement of street lights to LED’s, air-conditioning retrofits at the Saipan and Tinian courthouses and the CNMI Legislature building, Energy Star tinting at the new wing of the Commonwealth Health Center, as well as the concluding the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s turbocharger project. The completed projects have helped to increase the CNMI’s energy efficiency while decreasing the government’s cost of operations.

With the continued emphasis on energy efficiency, the CNMI Division of Energy has continued to move on projects that benefit the public. The Public School System and the Northern Marianas College will be undergoing some lighting retrofits, while several government buildings across all three islands will be undergoing air-conditioner retrofits to move to more energy-efficient units. CUC will expand on the installation of the streetlight LED replacements, while contractor Spectrum Electric is currently completing the installation of parking lights at several sites throughout the CNMI.

The project began in September of 2010 and faced many challenges, the most substantial being the ARRA “Buy America” Provision. Once this obstacle was overcome, steady progress continued to be made on the project. The first pair of units arrived at Power Plant 1 on Feb. 9, 2011,and were installed on Engine 8. The last pair turbocharger was installed and commissioned on Dec. 1, 2011, and the project is currently being closed out. The new turbochargers have improved engine response, and have provided for lower spare part costs, while providing easier maintenance and time between overhauls.

Project manager Chris Fryling of N15 Architects said, “The turbocharger installations went smoothly. We expect all four turbocharger sets online and running above rated efficiency. We are on track to start saving the Commonwealth at least 2 percent of their total fuel costs, which will add up to millions of dollars over the next few years.”

This project aims to change the lights at various parking lots into LED lights. Parking lots that will be getting these new LED lights include that of the Commonwealth Health Center, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the Multi-Purpose Center, the Courthouse Complex, the Saipan International Airport, the Administration Office, and the Susupe Sports Complex.

The installation of these new LED lights will help save energy at these sites, help to keep operating costs down. The new lights will reduce glare, increasing visibility in the parking lots and adding to driver safety. These new lights also have a longer lifespan and require less labor to maintain.

The project is currently ongoing with nine of the approximately 31 locations completed on Saipan. Work is slated to begin on the other two islands of Tinian and Rota within the next month.

This project has allowed for Saipan Southern High School and 10 other schools throughout the CNMI to receive solar panels and wind turbines. Two of the wind turbines were recently installed at Garapan Elementary School over the weekend, while contractor Pacific Green Integrated Technologies Inc. continues the solar panel installation at the same site.

When completed, Saipan Southern High School is expected to harness as much as 165 kW, which is enough solar and wind power to run the entire school. The project will be connected to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. power grid by a net-meter, so any excess power can be used by Saipan residents.

The intent of this project is to educate students on the benefits of renewable energy through the collection of actual energy data being produced at each site. It will also cut power usage at each of the sites leading to power savings for the Public School System.

Currently all the schools except one have solar panels, with wind turbines to be installed in the second week of February on Saipan and the first week of March on Tinian.

Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos, who has been charged with leading the CNMI’s renewable energy efforts, lauds the efforts made by all involved. “With recent developments at [PSS] in response to the cost of utilities, the pending completion of the PSS Green Energy Project is well timed. I hope that the production of alternative energy at the school sites will serve as a means for PSS to resume in a fashion as not to be overburdened by the cost of utilities.”[I] (Office of the Governor)[/I]