Energy Conservation

Energy Performance Contracting

DGS works with State agencies to substantially reduce Maryland's government energy consumption. During the O’Malley/Brown Administration the Board of Public Works has approved 21 Energy Performance Contract (EPCs) projects. To date these projects are helping Maryland achieve contractually guaranteed energy and operational savings of approximately $310 million to be realized throughout the life of the contract)..

• Cost Savings: $21.3 Million annually
• Greenhouse Gas Savings: 97,000 tons of CO2 annually

At Spring Grove Hospital Center, energy conservation measures under an EPC completed in January 2010, have provided confirmed avoided utility costs of $5,556,336, nearly $1,400,000 in excess of the guarantee over that period.

Project Profile: DGS’s Jessup State Office Complex
Project Profile: DHMH’s Spring Grove Hospital

Electricity Purchasing

DGS purchases electricity in de-regulated power markets on behalf of all Executive Agencies. Through an innovative electricity purchasing strategy for the larger accounts, DGS hedges buys for a portion of the future power requirements for State sites,. By locking in rates for a portion of future power needs and purchasing the balance at real time rates, favorable trends in power prices are exploited to the State's benefit. DGS, works with the University System of Maryland to achieve savings compared to comparable fixed price contracts.

• Cost Savings: $6.6 Million in FY12

DGS continues to purchase electricity for the State's several thousand smaller accounts through periodic online reverse auctions. The first such auction was conducted in 2004. The most recent auction was conducted in May 2011

State Energy Database

DGS’s manages the State utility database.  This Web based, utility management system holds approximately 21,500 State utility accounts including electricity, gas water, steam, chilled water, and fuel.  DGS has established a baseline year of FY08.  The database provides access, accountability and trackability for all State Agencies energy use and is accessible to the public.

• State annual total utility expenditure:  $266 million

(Click graph to view larger image)

Electricity Demand Response

DGS, Towson University, University of Maryland Baltimore, Maryland Aviation Administration, University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs and Maryland Stadium Authority are participants in a demand response program.  The program allows the entities to manage peak energy demand by reducing consumption at critical summer days.

• Since 2008, the DGS West Preston Street Complex has received about $942,000 in net payments for program participation.

Renewable Energy

DGS currently has Solar PV panels on four DGS buildings generate 432 kW (520,000 kWh/Year)

• Tawes State Office Building (4 Buildings) -580 Taylor Avenue. Annapolis - 126 kW
• John R. Hargrove, Sr. DC & MS Center -700 E. Patapsco Ave. Baltimore - 106 kW
• Elkton DC & MS Center -170 E. Main St. Elkton - 74 kW
• Ellicott City DC & MS Center -3451 Courthouse Dr. Ellicott City - 126 kW

Maryland State Agencies have Solar PV Panels generating 1.75 MW (2,943,360 kWh/Year)

• Maryland Aviation Administration – Thurgood Marshall/BWI Airport 0.5 MW
• Maryland Transit Administration – 0.5 MW
• Maryland Port Administration – 0.75 MW

Generating Clean Horizons

A program managed by DGS & USM to assist with the States renewable energy portfolio, currently provides approximatly16% of State Government’s annual electricity from three large scale wind and solar installations. DGS works with State agencies in the development and implementation of additional renewable projects throughout the State.

These contracts are with the following entities:

• Mount St.Mary’s Solar – 13 MW of Solar generated power for 12,968 MWh/year. Delivery began July 2012

• Roth Rock Wind – 10 MW of Wind generated power for an annual 30,605 MWh/year.  Delivery began  August in 2011
• Pinnacle - 55.2 MW of Wind generated power for an annual 173,542 MWh/year. Delivery began December 2011

Energy Efficient New Construction

DGS has built two LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified buildings.

• St. Mary’s College of Maryland Goodpaster Hall 
• DNR’s Hammerman Beach Services Building at Gunpowder State Park in Baltimore County.

DGS is in the process of designing or constructing eight new green State projects including:

• Forensic Medical Center in Baltimore City
• Rockville District Court

Fleet Fuel

DGS manages the State’s fleet fueling stations throughout Maryland.  Including:

• E-85 gas tanks throughout the State which provide clean fuel ethanol.
• Compressed natural gas (CNG) located at BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport & State Center.