DIA Partners with Utility to Save Energy and Money

Your business can be more cost effective and save energy when you partner with your utility. Xcel Energy's energy efficiency programs and rebates proved extremely effective for the Denver International Airport (DIA). DIA completed several different lighting, motor, custom and design projects over the last year that saved over 4.3 million kilowatt-hours of electrical savings. It also helped them save money and reduced their impact on the environment.

Programs and Projects

DIA Energy Manager Woods Allee benefited from Xcel Energy's Motor Efficiency program and installed NEMA Premium^® motors and variable frequency drives to help the motors throughout the complex.

"We're always looking for various projects that are going to allow a significant amount of savings relative to the amount of investment we make," says Allee. "The power management units on the escalators and the variable frequency drives on our motors were projects that we knew would cost us a low amount up front but with pretty quick payback and a significant improvement in energy consumption." Xcel Energy's rebates enhanced the project even further.

Xcel Energy's rebates helped offset the initial cost of equipment and brought the paybacks into range. "We expect to have some improved motor life for both the high-efficiency motors as well as for the variable frequency drives that we installed," says Ed Keegan, Senior Engineer at DIA.

Incentives and Customer Service

Xcel Energy Key Account Manager Doug Ryan says the efficiency programs offer a lot of bang for the buck and are often the catalyst to making the improvements because they reduce the cost for implementing those conservation measures.

Reducing environmental impact is another benefit of this conservation project with an estimated carbon dioxide emissions reduction of 4,000 tons at DIA.

Janell Barrilleaux, the Director of Environmental Programs at DIA says most companies want to lower energy use while reducing environmental impact but says sometimes the capital investment is just too much. "I'm a big fan of companies that offer any kind of financial incentives. I don't think we'd be successful without those programs and I think it's great that Xcel offers it."

Partnering with Xcel Energy has been very positive. "Our account manager has been extremely helpful in putting together rebate programs and guiding us through the paperwork," says Keegan. "That's a huge help."

For more information about Xcel Energy's programs, contact your account manager or visit www.responsiblebynature.com.