Evergy, the utility with 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri has unveiled a $9 billion plan to modernize its grid and infrastructure, streamline operations and make the transition to renewable energy. The company estimates such a massive effort will save $145 million a year over the next four years.
The announcement came after Evergy also won regulatory approval this month from Missouri regulators for a new three-year commitment to innovative energy efficiency programs. The programs include smart home products, business and residential rebates and an expanded $10 million investment in income-eligible energy savings offers.
“As energy-efficiency products and programs continue to evolve, Evergy strives to provide customers choices. We want customers to look to Evergy as their go-to energy solutions center,” said Chuck Caisley, Evergy’s chief customer officer. “Our experience helps us develop and deliver highly innovative and effective solutions that keep energy costs low for all customers.”
As part of the company’s current energy efficiency programs, Evergy recently partnered with the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City to identify cost-savings initiatives to make the chiller and air-handling system more efficient. This program also includes the Museum and Memorial previously installing an LED lighting system, which lights areas including the portrait wall and the outside of the Liberty Memorial Tower. These projects significantly reduce the facility’s overall energy consumption.
As revealed in this case study (video), the Museum and Memorial estimates the annual savings from these recent projects will be more than $25,000, in addition to the $46,000 chiller enhancement rebate, which is a part of Evergy’s Business Energy Savings Program. These savings will allow the Museum and Memorial to invest in other facility improvement projects to help better preserve the history of the war for Museum and Memorial visitors.
“Energy efficiency is not only important to the museum from a cost containment perspective, but also a control perspective,” said Chris Wyche, Museum and Memorial vice president of facilities operations management and technology. “The program is excellent because it’s incentivizing us to make decisions that need to be made.”
In an announcement, Every said projects like those at the Museum and Memorial example are possible as part of Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA). The Missouri Public Service Commission approved Evergy’s request for a continuation and expansion of its energy efficiency programs in Missouri.
Since 2012, Evergy has offered almost 25 energy efficiency and demand response programs to residential and business customers under MEEIA. During that time, Evergy has worked with industry leaders to offer innovative energy solutions, like the Google Nest thermostat and discounted LED light bulbs to customers.
Source: Evergy
