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NY firm chosen to monitor Minillas Gov’t Center energy consumption

Minillas Government Center (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)

The Public Buildings Authority has entered into an agreement with New York-based utiliVisor to monitor energy consumption at the Minillas Government Center in Santurce, which houses a number of public agencies in several buildings.

The 800,000 square-foot complex houses the Consumer Affairs Department, the Permits and Regulations Administration, the Planning Board, the Corporation for the Arts, the Family Department, the Government Development Bank, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Highway and Transportation Authority and the PBA.

As part of the 10-year contract, utiliVisor will provide third party independent measurement and verification services and assist the PBA achieve its goal of reducing energy consumption by at least 10 percent, as per Gov. Fortuño’s mandate.

Local firm Alvarez-Diaz + Group PSC will be in charge of retrofitting the agencies to comply with the energy conservation project at Minillas, while Honeywell has been granted an energy performance contract to be implemented at the complex.

Under its contract, utiliVisor will review Honeywell’s energy baseline methodology for nine Energy Conservation Measures to validate that a measurable method exists for the proposed energy improvements. The ECMs include lighting upgrades, chiller plant upgrades, air distribution improvements, water and sewer improvements, power factors, solar panels installation, wind turbine installation, improvements to the building envelope, and installation of a building automation system.

UtiliVisor will also be responsible for reviewing and collecting data to validate the monthly energy savings and will provide the PBA with ongoing recommendations for improved operating performance of all building systems to ensure energy efficiencies are maximized.

Author Details
Author Details
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
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3 Comments

  1. hann February 8, 2011

    Solar cells work best in direct sunlight. If most of the south facing roof space is covered by nice large trees a photovoltaic system is not going to produce much electricity. Baldo also says that this technology could be used to improve the output of existing panels.

    Reply
  2. hann February 8, 2011

    There are all sorts of devices that use some form of solar power as an energy source but the area where you will most benefit (as will the planet) is in the home. This article will discuss the various ways to make home solar power.

    Reply
  3. Michelle Kantrow Vázquez February 8, 2011

    Thanks for your feedback and for the article!

    Reply

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