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East Hartford High School a State Standout for Energy Efficiency
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Sept. 18, 2006 – In a state whose schools rate among the least energy-efficient in the nation, East Hartford High School today celebrated its decision to become one of Connecticut’s most energy-efficient and environmentally conscious places of learning. The school uses an on-site power generation system produced by UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
A recent study by the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University concluded that on a scale of 1 to 100 (50 being average energy efficiency, 75 being exemplary), Connecticut schools rate a 26, making them among the least efficient in the United States. The state’s public schools spent more than $124 million on energy during the 2004-2005 school year, according to the institute.
In a ribbon-cutting event today at the school, officials unveiled the environmentally advanced on-site power generation system made by UTC Power, which is based in neighboring South Windsor. Congressman John Larson, East Hartford Mayor Melody Currey, East Hartford Schools Superintendent Dr. Marion Martinez, and Randy Hudson from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, were among those attending.
According to Albert Costa, director of facilities for the East Hartford School District, “The UTC Power PureComfort™ system was a great fit for us and allows us to make our own electricity, cooling and heating. Waste heat from the system provides chilled water for air conditioning - or space heating in winter - so we can achieve energy efficiencies up to 90 percent, far greater than the 33 percent typical of a central power plant. Not only do we lower our overall energy costs, but the innovative technology ensures there is a minimal environmental impact because of the ultra-low emissions.”
The project is being developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.
The UTC Power PureComfort™ system also enables the school to produce off-grid, back-up power in an environmentally sound manner, meaning the school can double as an emergency shelter if there is a local outage. “Now that we are in hurricane season, concerns about reliable assured power increase around the country,” said Jan van Dokkum, UTC Power president. “East Hartford High School can now serve as an emergency shelter and reception area when weather-related emergencies or other events occur.”
A wide variety of commercial buildings around the United States and Canada currently operate with UTC Power PureComfort systems, including the Wal-Mart experimental store in Colorado, the Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and the University of Toronto.
United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides high-technology products and services to the building and aerospace industries. Its UTC Power unit includes UTC Fuel Cells and is a full-service provider of environmentally advanced power solutions. With more than 40 years of experience, UTC Power is a world leader in developing and producing fuel cells for onsite power, transportation, space and defense applications, and a developer of innovative combined cooling, heating and power applications in the distributed energy market. |
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