Energy Efficiency, Finance  -  March 2, 2021

City of Madison receives energy-efficiency grant

The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it will give Dane County and the City of Madison, Wisconsin a nearly $1 million grant to make energy efficiency improvements at its shared facilities.

The retrofits will include high-performance, triple-paned windows and cost-effective LED lighting systems coupled with networked lighting controls and integrated into the building automation system. This project will demonstrate whole-building energy savings resulting from integrated HVAC and lighting systems that save 10% and 60%, respectively, while providing key grid services.

The project is expected to total about $1.5 million, with Dane County and the City of Madison allocating approximately $500k in matching funds. Implementation of the project will begin in the spring of 2021 and continue through 2022. In addition to installing efficient technologies, the funding will enable the team to measure energy usage before and after the installation so others can learn from the project.

“Dane County is excited to have this opportunity to explore next-generation energy efficiency technologies and further reduce our energy usage,” Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said in a statement. “We are always eager to share what we learn about energy savings with other local governments hoping to make improvements, and we look forward to carrying out this project at the City-County Building.”

Local nonprofit Slipstream will help make the improvements. The funding is being made available through the Department’s Building Technologies Proving Ground – Public Sector Field Validation Funding Opportunity.

“Madison is pleased to partner with Dane County and Slipstream on this project that will increase efficiency and occupant comfort at the City-County Building,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in the statement. “What we learn from this project can strengthen the case for energy retrofits in more of our own buildings, and for buildings throughout the city.”

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