CES has worked with the City of Portland since 2011, helping the City manage all aspects of its energy purchasing activities for its public facilities including electricity, natural gas, and liquid fuel procurement, energy budgeting and tracking, and evaluation of onsite and offsite renewable energy project opportunities. CES has served as the owner’s representative for the City on several strategic energy projects, including onsite and offsite solar generation and behind-the-meter battery storage. In this role, CES has helped Portland navigate project development from inception to completion including performing preliminary feasibility analysis, administering competitive solicitation of project proposals, contract negotiation support, implementation support, and ongoing performance review.
One of the largest energy users in the City’s facilities portfolio is the Portland International Jetport (“PWM”). PWM takes pride in being a forward-thinking energy leader. In 2011, PWM completed a large-scale geothermal heating and cooling system as part of a $75 million expansion of the terminal. The project is the largest geothermal installation in Maine to date and was a creative first in the transportation industry, with PWM leveraging a Federal Aviation Administration Voluntary Airport Low Emissions Grant to support the installation of the system. Following completion of the geothermal project, in 2017 PWM completed construction of a large solar photovoltaic canopy on the upper level of its parking garage. The solar array includes nearly 1,400 panels covering more than 29,000 square feet and has helped reduce PWM’s energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. CES advised PWM on the design, solicitation, and financial analysis for the project.
Over the last three years, CES has helped PWM evaluate establishing a microgrid at the terminal that utilizes a 2 MW lithium-ion battery storage system to provide backup power for the facility in the event of service outage. CES performed a feasibility analysis of the project, conducted a competitive solicitation for battery storage proposals, helped PWM complete the local electric utility’s interconnection study process, and helped PWM finalize a five-year incentive contract with Efficiency Maine Trust for participation in the Trust’s new demand response program.
