Iowa funds new green energy initiatives

Iowa announced funding for eight new initiatives that will focus on green energy. The Office of Energy Independence will put $1.39 million toward the projects which will benefit a variety of organizations statewide, with the funding coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The projects are part of the state’s agenda of working toward an energy economy.

Funds will be spread through academic institutions, private businesses and state agencies. Awardees will provide cost share of nearly $1.5 million. The Project breakdown is listed below:

Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport – $185,000 to develop displays for the Iowa Sustainable Energy Center that focus on wind, solar and hydrogen energy. The planned displays include experiments and information on how wind turbines work; solar powered hydrogen fueling station for a fuel cell powered forklift; solar thermal water heating system with three types of collectors; and electric car and solar powered recharging station.

Flex Fuel USA, Mason City – $47,332 to install 25 flex fuel conversion kits on vehicles owned and operated by the Iowa Department of Transportation, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff and Police Department from Clear Lake, Charles City and Mason City; and to train North Iowa Area Community College students in the installation of fuel conversion equipment.

Iowa State Fair Association, Des Moines – $250,000 to install renewable energy features at Expo Hill on the State Fairgrounds including: solar cooling benches, photovoltaic array on the visitor center roof, solar lighting, and a solar powered portable tent.

Iowa Utilities Board, Des Moines – $25,427 to install an integrated energy management system in 74 workstations at the new IUB building on the Capitol Complex. This system will control non-critical power usage when individual workstations are not occupied.

Kum & Go, Statewide – $249,150 to retrofit 151 convenience stores in 95 communities with Light Emitting Diode (LED) display cooler lighting.

Ovation Networks, Cedar Rapids – $81,033 to install an energy management system in six Iowa hotels. The system uses Wi-Fi architecture and carbon dioxide sensors to manage the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system based on occupancy.

Sun Prairie Apartments, West Des Moines – $354,000 to install Energy Star metal shingles over existing asphalt shingles on buildings and garages and install induction light fixtures throughout the apartment complex. Both projects will reduce energy costs and will be used to train contractors on product installation.

University of Iowa, Medical Research Facility, Iowa City – $205,000 to replace a standard air make-up ventilation air handling unit with a new system that incorporates energy recovery wheels to reduce energy consumption.

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