Features Efficiency Energy
MN greenhouse gets energy efficiency award

Interstate Power and Light Company (Alliant Energy) has just honoured four Minnesota businesses with an ‘Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award,’ including one greenhouse operation.

The press release states:

‘The Excellence in Energy Efficiency Award’ showcases Alliant Energy’s commercial, industrial and agriculture customers whose energy-efficiency initiatives yielded the most significant cost and energy-savings results last year. The award recognizes ‘leadership and vision in integrating energy efficiency into the design, construction or operation.’

A greenhouse operation named ‘Bushel Boy Farms’ in Owatonna is reducing usage by about 831,000 kWh a year with a special fan and thermal curtain in the greenhouse. Bushel Boy Farms grows beefsteak, vine-on, and “Baby Boy” grape tomatoes for the Twin Cities and a few other communities.

Albert Lea Schools will reduce their usage by about 445,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a year with a special lighting upgrade in eight buildings. Lou-Rich built a new warehouse and found a way to use the excess heat from the air compressors to keep the building warm. Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea is reducing natural gas usage by 39,800 therms a year with a special pipe insulation project.

The award-winning organizations took advantage of Alliant Energy’s Shared Savings and Custom Rebate programs. With Shared Savings, customers can upgrade equipment, save money and conserve energy – all with no up-front capital investment. Alliant Energy experts help customers identify, finance and carry out energy improvement projects and pay for the initial cost of the high-efficiency equipment.

Albert Lea Schools, Lou-Rich Inc., an Innovance Company, Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea, and Bushel Boy Farms were recognized at the Minnesota Energy Summit Luncheon on Oct. 10^th.

“Businesses are looking for ways to save money and energy cost is one piece they can control,” said Tom Aller, President of Interstate Power and Light. “The award winners understand the value of energy savings and what it can do for their business growth.”