November 7, 2007—Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials have approved a $17.6 million performance contract with the Energy Solutions division of TAC. CPS chose to partner with TAC, a world leader in energy services, building automation and security, to improve operations, comfort and efficiency at its administration building.
TAC guarantees that CPS will reduce utility costs by $1.25 million annually when the project is completed in 2009.
TAC is delivering this project through performance contracting, a turnkey method whereby the design, construction, commissioning and performance measurement are incorporated into one guaranteed fixed price, notes the company.
Improved facility efficiency, comfort, financial management and environmental protection are among the long-term results TAC delivers as the single provider accountable for all aspects of the project.
CPS administrators manage the nation’s third largest school system, which serves more than 410,000 students, from a 20-story building with 503,000 square feet of space in downtown Chicago. High energy costs and the difficulty of constantly maintaining aging mechanical systems prompted CPS to find a new solution.
To address the problems at the CPS administration building, TAC will apply a variety of energy conservation measures (ECMs). These include modifying the chilled water system by installing an on- site chiller plant for the building, instead of relying on the districts chilled water system and adding new steam boilers. Furthermore, a completely new direct digital control (DDC) building management system will operate the mechanical equipment and the new energy efficient light fixtures TAC will install throughout the building. Finally, TAC will replace all the antiquated, poorly insulated windows in the facility.
For more on TAC, see the Web site.
