Lawler Sustainability entered an energy performance contract with the Watershed Leisure Centre in Kilkenny to help the facilities achieve annual energy savings of €75,000.
Energy Performance Contract
Our agreement with The Watershed began with an initial energy survey to determine the building’s current performance and energy efficiency.
This survey revealed the leisure center’s energy consumption to be in the region of €350,000 per year. Following this revelation, it was evident that there was a lot of work to do, especially considering the Watershed was targeting a 33% carbon reduction by 2020.
Our sustainability team proceed by performing a detailed site audit, before compiling a detailed list of energy-saving opportunities. This list formed the basis of our energy performance contract with Lawler Sustainability acting as the energy service company (ESCo) and annual energy savings of €75,000 being targeted.
Energy Upgrades
With the contract details ironed out, work began on performing the necessary energy upgrades.
Areas targeted for upgrading included the training pitches and their flood lighting, improved lighting controls for indoors, passive infrared (PIR) controls in the back areas of the facility, a heat recovery system for the air handling units, and much more.
We were also able to achieve maintenance savings by switching suppliers and seeking outside expertise.
Second Energy Performance Contract
Following the success of the first one, the Watershed entered its second energy performance contract with us in 2019.
This second contract saw us achieve a 20% reduction in electrical energy consumption and further significant reductions in annual maintenance costs.
The energy upgrade works carried out consisted of a full LED lighting upgrade, heating pump replacements, and the installation of a Building Management System (BMS) and plant optimisation.
These energy upgrade works have resulted in annual cost savings of €33,000.
