LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Energy Alliance (LEA) presented Louisville Metro Government with two-Kilowatt Crackdown awards in recognition of the city’s enhanced energy efficiency efforts. This is a city-wide competition that challenges building owners and operators to decrease energy use in their buildings to fight climate change while cutting operating costs.
The LEA recognized two Louisville Metro Government buildings: Louisville Metro Development Center and the Northeast Regional Library. The large reductions in energy consumption were largely achieved by operational efficiency measures, such as changing the automated schedules for boilers, chillers, and pumps.
The year’s top honor, the Kilowatt Cup, was awarded to La Quinta del Sol of Louisville East for superior achievement in energy efficiency and renewable energy. This new hotel construction invested in multiple sustainable strategies by utilizing Louisville Metro Government’s EPAD Program, which allowed the hotel to pay for the optimization measures using low interest by utilizing tankless water heaters coupled with low flow/high-velocity water fixtures, LED lighting, ENERGY STAR certified appliances, and motion sensors to shut systems off when unoccupied. In addition, the building generates a significant portion of its electricity from rooftop solar panels and micro-windmills. Onsite, free electric vehicle charging units were installed for guests.
“In order to meet our clean energy goals, we need everyone’s help, and I applaud these organizations’ efforts to do their part,” Mayor Greg Fischer said. “Louisville Metro Government is proud to lead by example through our energy efficiency efforts across Metro’s buildings while providing programs such as EPAD to help local businesses make these critical investments as well. I thank the Louisville Energy Alliance for recognizing the Metro Development Center and the Northeast Regional Library for their efforts to cut Louisville Metro’s energy costs.”
Sunny Dronawat, the developer of La Quinta del Sol, said, “Consumers feel good when they spend their money on goods and services that incorporate sustainability, green energy, and energy conservation elements into their business practices.”
The Louisville Energy Alliance recognized nine local organizations for taking the Kilowatt Crackdown Challenge, awarding achievements in energy savings by building type. The winners are as follows:
- Kilowatt Cup – La Quinta del Sol of Louisville East
- K-12 Facility – Sacred Heart Model School
- Office Facility, Best Performance – Human 515 Market Building
- Office Facility, Most Improved – Kindred Health Corporate Headquarters Building
- Healthcare Facility – UofL Health Shelbyville
- Data Center – Humana Simpsonville Data Center
- Government Facility, Best Performance – LFPL Northeast Regional Library
- Government Facility, Most Improved – Louisville Metro Development Center
- Religious Facility – Walnut Street Baptist Church
“The combined efforts of the award winners have realized a savings of 2,972 metric tons of carbon dioxide. That’s equivalent to over 330,000 gallons of gasoline consumed in a year,” said Julie Donna, LEA Vice Chair. “We applaud these building owners who have exhibited a commitment to the health of our community.”
In March, Louisville Metro Council authorized the creation of the Energy Innovation Fund, which will allow cost savings from energy projects to be re-invested into energy efficiency measures in Louisville Metro buildings. The fund will launch with approximately $550,000, or 80% of Louisville Metro’s energy savings from the past year.
In addition to the EPAD Program, Louisville Metro’s Office of Advanced Planning & Sustainability offers incentives to property and business owners to invest in energy efficiency via its Cool Roof Rebate Program and renewable energy through its Solar Over Louisville Program. The office is working to achieve Louisville’s sustainability goals, including a goal to power Louisville with 100% clean energy community-wide by 2040. Learn more about Louisville Metro’s clean energy efforts at www.100percentlou.com.
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