Strategic Planning for a Clean Energy Future
MCCo's Commitment
The Medical Center Company (MCCo) has a rich history dating back to its formation in 1932 as a not-for-profit corporation with a mission to provide utility services to its tax-exempt member institutions located in the vibrant University Circle in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years, MCCo has played a crucial role in ensuring reliable and environmentally responsible energy distribution to its members. With a focus on reliability, sustainability and efficiency, MCCo has recognized the importance of integrating renewable energy sources and energy management into its energy portfolio to further enhance our and its member's mission.
The Need for Renewable Energy
The world is undergoing a significant transformation in its approach to energy generation and consumption. Environmental concerns, climate change, and the finite nature of fossil fuels are driving the shift towards cleaner, renewable energy sources.
MCCo's Clean Energy Commitment
Strategic Planning for a Clean Energy Future
In the pursuit of a sustainable and environmentally conscious future, strategic planning plays a pivotal role. The MCCo exemplifies this approach by providing utility services at a below-market price with superior reliability and service. Our mission emphasizes safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility, reflecting a commitment to long-term planning for a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.
Embracing Renewable Sources and Energy Efficiencies
The advantages of strategic planning for clean energy extend beyond economic savings. They encompass a broader societal and environmental impact. By reducing dependence on fossil fuels, communities not only lower their carbon footprint but also decrease air pollution, enhancing public health. Additionally, embracing renewables and advanced storage solutions like battery technology fosters technological innovation, creating jobs and driving economic growth in the burgeoning green energy sector.
In the face of providing reliable, cleaner energy, adding renewables to diversify our energy mix is not just an ethical choice, but an imperative one. Solar energy, with its vast potential for harnessing sunlight, is a leading contender. Additionally, battery storage technology has emerged as a critical component of the clean energy landscape. It allows for the efficient storage of excess energy generated during peak production periods, ensuring a reliable supply even when the sun isn't shining.
In advancing that process and aligning with the company's vision for a cleaner, sustainable and reliable energy future; the Company successfully:
- Established a renewable energy fund allowing members access to funding for renewable energy projects which has led to installation of 1,095 rooftop solar panels (246kW) on six buildings to date.
- Established an energy efficiency grant fund allowing members to access funding for energy efficiency projects totaling over $2MM to date.
- Completed a 5 acre, 1MW solar farm brownfield re-development project in November 2014.
- Completed transitioning away from coal-fired to natural gas-fired steam generation in 2017.
- Transitioned to installation of variable frequency drives on all major motors and continue to integrate trending, data analytics, and logic into our control systems for more efficient operations and energy management.
Strategic Planning Commitment
- Assessment of Energy Needs: Continue to perform a comprehensive analysis of the energy needs of member institutions. Identify peak demand periods, energy usage patterns, and potential areas for energy conservation.
- Resource Assessment: Continue to evaluate the renewable energy and energy efficiency potential in the University Circle area. This includes assessing the feasibility of solar panels, heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, battery storage feasibility, other renewable opportunities, and energy efficiencies.
- Technology Selection: Continue to evaluate the most appropriate renewable energy and energy efficient technologies based on resource assessments, cost-effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. Consider hybrid systems that combine multiple renewable sources for optimal efficiency.
- Financing and Incentives: Continue to explore financing options, including grants, incentives, and partnerships, to support the adoption of renewable and energy efficiency technologies. Collaborate with vendors, clients, local and federal agencies to maximize financial benefits.
- Grid Integration: Continue to develop plans for integrating renewables and energy efficiencies into the existing district energy system, ensuring seamless operation and reliability. Consider energy storage solutions to manage intermittent energy generation.
- Environmental Impact: Continue to measure and report the environmental benefits of adopting renewable energy sources and energy efficiencies, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and decreased reliance on non-renewable fuels.
- Education and Outreach: Continue to engage with member institutions, the local community, and stakeholders to raise awareness of MCCo's commitment to renewables and energy efficiency and its positive impact on the environment and cost savings.
- Monitoring and Maintenance: Continue to implement a robust monitoring system to track the performance of renewable energy and energy efficiency installations and ensure they operate at peak efficiency. Develop a maintenance schedule to prolong the lifespan of renewable and energy efficiency infrastructure.
The company continues to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to transition to alternative energy capabilities in support of our energy conservation vision to transform the lives of our customers and the communities in which we serve by providing energy solutions that are attainable, sustainable, economical, and environmentally beneficial.
