City of Winona powers up sustainably
March 2010
City officials, McKinstry to Cut Ribbon on New Methane Gas Capture Micro Turbine
Minneapolis, MN (3/15/10) – Wastewater. It’s not a very exciting word, unless you’re talking waste to energy - as in the new methane gas capture micro turbine that recently made its debut in Winona, Minnesota. On March 16th, Winona’s Mayor, City Manager, and sustainable design/build expert McKinstry will cut the ribbon on a new methane gas capture micro turbine. McKinstry built the innovative device which captures and cleans the gases from Winona’s wastewater, then sends those gases through a turbine generator to create electricity. The
$1 million turbine will provide a local renewable energy source for Winona, generating 268,000 kWh of carbon free electricity annually - enough renewable electricity to power 25 households.
The project will save $123,000 in annual utility and maintenance costs, net nearly $400,000 in grants and rebates, and have an 11-year payback. As a result of the project, the City will reduce its electricity use by 11.5%, natural gas use by 21%, and result in a 14% reduction in carbon emissions - all without spending an additional dollar more than was already being spent on utilities and maintenance.
The methane gas capture micro turbine is one of many projects being implemented under the Sustain Winona’s partnership with McKinstry. The project, approved by Winona’s City Council in January 2009, includes LED traffic lights, interior lighting retrofits of all buildings, vending machine controls, direct digital control upgrades, HVAC recommissioning, and various water conservation measures. The project cost is $1.7 million, which will be paid for entirely through savings and grants, with no impact on taxpayers.
About McKinstry
McKinstry is a full-service, design-build-operate-and-maintain (DBOM) firm specializing in consulting, construction, energy and facility services. Our innovative, integrated delivery methodology provides clients with a single point of accountability that drives waste, cost, time, and redundancy out of the design/build process. We employ over 1,600 professional staff and trades people throughout the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, West, Midwest, and Southwest regions of the United States with operations in more than 15 states. McKinstry advocates collaborative and sustainable solutions designed to ensure occupant comfort, improve systems efficiency, reduce facility operational costs, and ultimately optimize profitability for "The Life of Your Building."
For more information, visit www.mckinstry.com
Contact: Lynnel Hampton, Marketing Specialist
(206) 762-3311 or email at lynnelh@mckinstry.com
About Winona
Located in the southeastern corner of Minnesota on the Mississippi River, The City of Winona is surrounded by wooded bluff lands that provide a panorama of natural beauty which reflects the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. Winona’s robust economy is driven by more than 100 manufacturers and three institutions of higher learning. With countless opportunities for recreation, sightseeing, and entertainment Winona offers diversity with combined with small town charm.
For more information, visit www.cityofwinona-mn.com
