Opened in 1973, Mystic Aquarium is a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to care for and protect the ocean through conservation, education, and research. As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Connecticut, Mystic Aquarium’s 18 acre campus has a variety of exhibits open year-round for public view.

CHALLENGE

With high energy usage rates of approximately 8.3 million kWh per year in electricity, Mystic Aquarium reached out to Fidelity Energy & Sustainability to incorporate changes to the facility’s mechanical and electrical infrastructure that would yield energy savings. With 24/7/365 operations, all work at the facility needed to be performed while the building was occupied by visitors and staff, requiring careful coordination and planning.

SOLUTION

General improvements were recommended throughout the property, and specifically within the main building, visitor services building, and ocean exploration center. Fidelity Energy & Sustainability identified a number of energy conservation measures to help the aquarium save energy and money, including a high efficiency lighting package with building automation controls. Fidelity Energy & Sustainability investigated the aquarium’s water process pumps and suggested installing new Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) to reduce motor speeds while maintaining optimal water flow. In addition, Fidelity Energy & Sustainability expanded and upgraded the building management system to include separate controls for any HVAC systems unrelated to animal life and safety. Further upgrades include demand controlled ventilation, dual enthalpy control, optimal start-stop control, and static pressure reset.

RESULTS

Providing a complete turn-key solution, Fidelity Energy & Sustainability was able to maximize Mystic Aquarium’s energy incentives and reduce overall annual electricity usage by about 650,000 kWh per year. Fidelity Energy & Sustainability was able to deliver $541,000 in utility incentives and save $85,000 in estimated annual energy costs.

EXECUTED BY

Environmental Systems Co.

CLIENT

Mystic Aquarium

CLIENT REFERENCE

Keith Sorensen
Senior Vice President
Facilities and Capital Projects

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

LED Lighting, Process Pump VFDs, Expansion and Upgrade of HVAC Building Management System, AHU & AC Unit Replacement

PROJECT TYPE

Building Automation, Energy Solutions, Mechanical Services

PROJECT SIZE

900+ Lighting Fixtures, (1) 50-ton RTU, (2) 50-ton Cpndensing Units, Refrigerant Piping, Mechanical and Controls for HVAC units, (16) VFDs on Marine Pool Pumps

BUILDING TYPE

Private Aquarium

FES TEAM MEMBERS/ROLES

Jack Cunningham, Director Energy Solutions Sales
Brian Mitchell, Project Manager Lead/HVAC Controls
Daniela Iozzo, Lighting Project Manager
Mark Case, Mechanical Project Manager