Dawson PPD recommends camp facility improvements
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| Dawson PPD advised Maranatha Bible Camp to install a geothermal system in its gym. The energy-efficient heating/cooling technology allows guests to use the gym year-round without increasing the camp's energy costs. |
Record attendance levels were driving up energy costs for Maranatha Camp near Maxwell, Neb., until Dawson Public Power District showed how energy conservation and maintenance improvements could help the 65-year-old Bible camp make the most of its success.
From its days as a summer camp, Maranatha had moved to hosting events year around, placing pressure on outdated heating and cooling systems. "The old roof unit and the ductwork on the dining hall and chapel were clogged with mud and mold," recalled Dawson Energy Specialist Bernie Svoboda. "There was no air conditioning in the gymnasium. You can imagine what that was like during the summer."
Co-op focuses on large load customers' needs
Svoboda is a certified key account executive, trained by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association to help large load customers manage their energy consumption. He first visited Maranatha in spring 2000 to discuss the camp's energy needs with General Director George Cheek and Bruce Stucky, properties director. "The goal is to build a relationship with Dawson's large commercial accounts so we can better meet their needs," Svoboda explained of the Certified Key Account Executive program. "Whether they have air quality issues, want to cut costs or are interested in self-generation projects, the solution begins with the relationship."
In the case of Maranatha, the solution began with an energy audit. Svoboda and Joel Lee of Nebraska Public Power District inspected the cafeteria/chapel and the gymnasium and came up with a list of potential energy efficiency improvements. Inefficient lighting and deteriorated weatherproofing contributed to the camp's growing electric bills, but the real energy loser was the HVAC equipment and ductwork in the dining and chapel building.
Incentives, loans make geothermal technology affordable
Camp officials implemented several of Dawson's recommendations, including installing geothermal heat pumps for both facilities. The gymnasium had an existing propane heating system, but the heat pump system could provide cost-effective heating as well as cooling. The expensive propane heating system will now be used only for backup.
A Nebraska Energy Office loan enabled Maranatha to purchase and install the equipment, and an incentive payment from Dawson and NPPD further assisted the upgrade. Volunteer technical assistance and labor also helped offset the cost of the improvements. Duane Norman, a local heating contractor and member of the camp's board of directors, worked with the equipment vendor to design the open-loop geothermal heat pump system.
A portion of the groundwater recirculates through the 17 heat pumps to offer a total of 77 tons of cooling capacity. This double circulation cuts down on the volume of water needed to operate the system.
For climate control, the cafeteria was divided into quadrants with a ceiling-mounted sensor in each area. Diners can enjoy their meal in comfort in one quadrant while the heating system remains on standby in unoccupied areas, saving the camp money and energy.
Technical assistance key to problem solving
The upgrades made it possible for Maranatha to use the gym during the summer heat, and to hold concerts and lectures in the building throughout the year. "What they really needed, and what the improvements gave them, was greater use of their facilities without an increase in their energy costs," noted Svoboda.
Giving customers what they need is a team effort, and the energy specialist has found NPPD and Western to be great resources for technical assistance. "Without organizations like that, there is no way for small utilities to keep up with all the changes in energy technology," he insisted.
The secret is knowing the people who do keep up, because one of those developments could be the answer to a customer's question. "Telling someone they have a problem is only half the job," Svoboda stated. "You're not done until you've come up with a solution."
