The City of Fullerton in 2023 contracted with NORESCO, a national leader in energy efficiency, resiliency, and infrastructure solutions, to implement an $8.4 million energy efficiency project guaranteed to save $12.1 million during the contract period. Funded entirely from generated savings, the project demonstrates that energy savings can help local governments tackle deferred maintenance while expanding smart city technologies and distributed energy resources.

A ground-mounted photovoltaic system at the main water plant will provide renewable energy, and carport-mounted photovoltaic systems at city hall and the police department will provide shaded parking and renewable energy. Fifteen dual port integrated electric vehicle chargers throughout the city will provide public access to clean transportation fuel and generate revenue for the city. The project will also enable the city to replace critical air-conditioning equipment at the end of its useful life and make other energy-efficiency updates to building systems.

The upgrade of approximately 7,700 lighting fixtures with new LEDs will reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan to at least 20 years. Additionally, NORESCO will assist the city in working with Southern California Edison to convert nearly 600 pole lights to LED technology. Smart city technology in parks will include improved lighting controls and motion activation, which will be capable of providing greater public safety benefits.

The project also provides decarbonization benefits and is expected to reduce the city’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by 2,793,572 pounds. The total expected reduction in greenhouse gases equates to planting 1,306 acres of trees, improving the community’s air quality.

The project includes a rigorous commissioning and measurement-based verification plan to ensure energy usage savings and operational success. Construction will utilize local subcontractors, expected to be more than 95% union-represented, and projected to create at least 50 local jobs.

It will also help prepare the city for converting a series of streetlight circuits to LED technology. Completing the design package, cost calculations, and budgets to convert a particularly problematic circuit will provide the data the city needs to secure financing and move forward with the conversion.

“The City of Fullerton continues its progress toward healthy, safe, sustainable, and intelligent buildings and infrastructure, modernizing the city while conserving capital, reallocating its energy spend, and decreasing its carbon footprint,” said Jim Williams, Vice President of NORESCO. We are honored to serve and help make a positive impact on local budgets and the local community.”

About NORESCO

NORESCO helps customers create modern, sustainable, healthy buildings, campuses, and communities while saving energy and water and optimizing operational and capital budgets. NORESCO is also a leader in addressing the modern energy infrastructure challenges facing the nation and our world, including decarbonization, electrification, grid flexibility, sustainability, and resiliency. Through its projects, NORESCO has guaranteed more than $5 billion in energy and operating cost savings at more than 10,000 facilities throughout the U.S. and abroad while reducing customer CO₂ emissions by more than 25 million metric tons, equivalent to planting 1.4 million acres of forest.

About the City of Fullerton

The City of Fullerton is located in northwestern Orange County, approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city is ideally located for transportation, bounded by three major highways and 15 miles northwest of John Wayne Airport. Fullerton has over 280 days of sunshine and a diverse blend of amenities with abundant cultural, educational, and entertainment resources. Boasting a population of 140,000 citizens, Fullerton has a strong sense of tradition. It takes pride in providing an atmosphere that allows both for the preservation of its historic past and opportunities to meet future challenges. For more information, visit www.cityoffullerton.com.