DLRCC’s Energy Performance Contracting Project

Codema's Role

Codema helped to facilitate the procurement of an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) in 2019, to upgrade three of DLRCC’s large leisure centres, namely Meadowbrook Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre and Monkstown Leisure Centre.

Project Description

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council identified Meadowbrook Leisure Centre, Loughlinstown Leisure Centre and Monkstown Leisure Centre as significant energy users, and decided to implement energy upgrades to these buildings through an Energy Performance Contract (EPC).

An EPC is a contractual agreement by an Energy Services Company (ESCo) to guarantee energy savings over an agreed period of time. It differs from the traditional method of carrying out energy efficiency measures, as the ESCo must approach the building holistically rather than small ad-hoc projects, and must ensure that energy savings are achieved to receive their payments, rather than being able to walk away from an unsatisfactory job.

This contract was awarded to Lawler Sustainability by DLRCC following a rigorous competitive dialogue procurement process. The contract includes a works period where the measures are implemented, and following this, an eight-year services period where the ESCo will perform Measurement and Verification (M&V) of the energy savings and provide maintenance and repair services.

The energy upgrades of the three leisure centres were completed in February 2022 and included:

• Optimisation of the Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Upgrade of pool filtration plants
• Optimisation of Air Handling Units and EC fan upgrades
• Heating controls upgrades to reduce gas consumption
• Pool Pump Upgrades
• Upgrade of pitch lighting to LED

Results to Date

Codema oversees the ESCO’s Measurement and Verification (M&V) of the savings for this project. The works were completed in February 2022, following which the services period began. So far, the project has achieved energy savings of 32% compared to expected energy savings of 24% and cost savings of 33%, compared to expected cost savings of 31%.

Codema will continue to assist DLRCC with managing this M&V process for the duration of the contract period.