The European Energy Service Award is part of the European Energy Service Initiative and helps bring increased attention to energy services. The Award honours outstanding efforts and achievements for the development and success of energy services for energy efficiency in Europe. The winners are selected on the basis of project replication potential, contribution to new market development, energy savings and environmental impact.
It is a fantastic achievement for an Energy Services project in Ireland to be recognised by Europe
Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, honoured the prize winners of the 5th European Energy Service Award (EESA) at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels on Monday 13th September 2010, stating "through engaging in the efficient use of energy, the stakeholders make an important contribution to the three energy priorities: the fight against climate change, competitiveness and security of supply. Through my participation in the award ceremony, I would like to express the European Commission's support for the European Energy Service Initiative".
The aim of the winning project was to design, implement and manage energy consumption and cost saving solutions for the Stewarts Campus in Palmerstown, Dublin. The site is approximately 1 km2 in area and consists of over 30 buildings of varying use. The energy cost savings achieved over the contract duration will cover the annual operation, maintenance and financing charges incurred by Stewarts under a 15 year Energy Services Performance Contract. The project was funded by a mixed investment of government grant funding via Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) and financing organised by Veolia*.
Under the project, a new Energy Centre was constructed to house a new combined heat and power unit (CHP), steam boilers and heating plant. A 2nd CHP serving the leisure centre was also installed. Boiler optimisation and zone heating controls, energy efficient lighting, as well as an energy monitoring and targeting system were installed throughout the campus. Veolia is further incentivised for continuous improvements throughout the contract via a shared savings arrangement. These measures ensure that the Stewarts campus benefits from energy and cost savings as well as a reliable, controllable source of lighting, heating and energy for the campus clients.
These savings for Stewarts are calculated at 1,693,000 kWh of electricity, 1,310,000 kWh of heat and over 1,050 tons of CO2, equivalent to taking 375 cars off the road.
Stewarts is a charitable foundation, with a 140-year tradition in the provision of care for people with intellectual disability. The foundation was the first in Ireland to offer such support for people with severe disabilities. Services are provided regardless of age, religion, socio economic background and encompassing every degree of intellectual disability. Speaking about the Award, Maura Donovan, CEO of Stewarts said "The issue of aging and inefficient energy infrastructure has been a serious concern to Stewarts over many years. This partnership has brought security of energy provision and brings us cost, energy and carbon savings allowing us to concentrate on our primary goal which is the provision of services to people with intellectual disability. We are delighted that the project has achieved this endorsement at this level in Europe".
Pat Gilroy, Country Director of Veolia Ireland commented "it is a fantastic achievement for an Energy Services project in Ireland to be recognised by Europe for the benefits it brings to our clients and our community and is a testament to the commitment of Stewarts to the provision of an environmentally-friendly solution to their energy requirements".
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*On 25th July 2014 Dalkia adopted the Veolia group name.