Revere and Ameresco Complete Solar, Energy Efficiency, and Building Management Technology Measures at City Schools

Revere Mayor Ambrosino joins local leaders to commemorate project that created local green jobs and is expected to provide more than $13 million in savings.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & REVERE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC), a leading energy efficiency and renewable energy company, announced today the completion of a multi-tiered energy services program with the City of Revere, Massachusetts. At a ribbon-cutting event in Revere, Ameresco executives commemorated the $10.3 million project with City of Revere Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino, members of the City Council, members of the School Committee, Superintendent Dr. Paul Dakin and other local business and political leaders. All told, the project, which focused on the City's schools, will guarantee annual savings of at least $685,982 for the City. Over the 15 year project term, the combined energy and operational savings will pay for the project and are expected to eclipse $13 million.

"On behalf of the Patrick-Murray Administration, I applaud Mayor Ambrosino and the City of Revere for taking on this significant energy efficiency project - one that will cut the City's carbon footprint, while reducing energy use and costs for Revere taxpayers, and increasing the comfort of school buildings for students, faculty and staff," said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia.

"As with most older, urban communities, Revere has many aging facilities, which are in need of repairs, upgrades and improvements. In the course of its work, Ameresco uncovered significant savings opportunities which allowed the City to fund the necessary capital improvements to these buildings," said City of Revere Mayor Thomas G. Ambrosino. "Ameresco also assisted the City in minimizing the overall capital investment by securing incentives and rebates from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and the local electric and gas utilities, totaling nearly $750,000. Overall, Ameresco has fully delivered on its proposed scope-of-work and on commitments to energy savings."

The project is highlighted by a rooftop replacement at Beachmont Elementary School. The new roof is adorned with an integrated photovoltaic solar array, which was funded in part by the United States Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant with incentives from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust and utility rebates from the local utility. The project is expected to reduce the City's carbon dioxide emissions by 2,843 tons annually.

"We really have appreciated Ameresco's professionalism and immediate response to our needs during this project," said Dr. Paul Dakin, Superintendent, Revere Public Schools. "The Ameresco staff has a great working relationship with our maintenance team and consistently provides superior service in implementing these significant energy upgrades to Revere Public Schools. We would like to thank Ameresco and are looking forward to many more years of working with the Ameresco team."

Ameresco employed state-of-the-art direct digital control technology, which adds new levels of intelligence to facility energy management. The new 'smart' energy management system integrates energy consumption information with building controls at multiple facilities, optimizing usage of heating, ventilation and HVAC systems. Providing new ease of use, the energy management system can be manipulated from any personal computer with access to the Internet and security clearance. In addition, Ameresco installed a new software tool that measures, manages and reduces power used by the school's computers during unoccupied periods.

"We are proud to work with the City of Revere on critical improvements to its energy infrastructure, which will improve the learning environment for the students," said David J. Anderson, Executive Vice President, Ameresco. "The new photovoltaic system will have a significant impact on the City's carbon footprint and will demonstrate to the community that the City is doing its part to help reduce the use of fossil fuels through energy efficiency and the use of renewable technologies."

The roof replacement at Beachmont Elementary School includes a new built-up roof and a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) array over the large and small gymnasiums. The old roof was well past the end of its useful life and was not sufficiently insulated. Ameresco also provided improvements to steam traps and radiators at William McKinley School; new transformers to reduce electric losses at Revere High School; and a new pool cover and pool dehumidification unit at Garfield Elementary.

About Ameresco, Inc.

Ameresco, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in April 2000 and is a leading independent provider of comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for facilities throughout North America. Ameresco's solutions include upgrades to a facility's energy infrastructure, and the development, construction, and operation of renewable energy plants. With corporate headquarters located in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has 55 offices in 29 states and four Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

    Source: Ameresco, Inc.

Released January 20, 2011