Microgrid Energy has provided the St. Louis Cardinals and Busch Stadium with consistent and reliable services in improving our energy performance, for both renewable energy systems and energy efficiency. There is no doubt Microgrid is acting in our best interests at all times, and we will continue to work with them to further improve the efficiency of our operations. Microgrid has proven to be a valuable member of our team and we are thrilled with the results!
Joe Abernathy, Vice President Stadium Operations, St. Louis Cardinals
Microgrid Energy is the official Energy Manager for Busch Stadium, and this has been a home-run year for improving energy efficiency in the home of the MLB Cardinals. This year alone, the stadium energy team has succeeded in reducing overall energy consumption by 10%, in addition to the improvements from previous years. And we are aiming to double that number before the end of this year.
As with many complex buildings, reducing energy consumption is not as easy as finding one or two big “smoking guns”. It requires identifying a wide range of systems improvements, operational changes, and equipment upgrades that meet the financial budget and performance goals of the building owners. The more obvious measures, like low-hanging fruit, have already been taken. But the stadium energy team builds on a foundation of successes to reach for higher and higher fruit on the tree.
Partnering with Sachs Electric and Murphy Mechanical, this year will see widespread HVAC controls changes, lighting upgrades, optimization of the steam heating plant, reduction in water usage, and improving cooling efficiency in many areas. Some of these improvements affect energy use during baseball games, and some are evident only during the off season. When you go to the stadium to see the Redbirds in action, you probably would never notice these changes – and that is important about smart efficiency upgrades – improving performance while not impacting the services in the building. No one wants to save energy by turning up the thermostat and then have to walk around the office holding a block of ice to your head to stay cool!
Busch Stadium is one of the most challenging buildings we serve. Whether you manage a hotel, office building, or other commercial building – we can help you perform better and chart a path to lower energy costs.
