Duke Energy Names 2011 Power Partners

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Organizations achieve their energy and sustainability goals, even during tough economic times. Just ask the winners of Duke Energy's 2011 Power Partner Awards.

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Businesses, colleges and school systems throughout Duke Energy's service territory were chosen as Power Partners. Since 1993, the program has recognized customers who share Duke Energy's commitment to strategic energy solutions and economic development.

"This year's winners have produced positive results and implemented strategic 'win-win' energy solutions," said Gianna Manes, Duke Energy's chief customer officer. "The recipients share a commitment to innovative and responsible energy use, and to being true partners – creating value for them, Duke Energy and the communities we serve."

The 2011 Duke Energy Power Partner award winners are:

ALDI – Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and South Carolina

ALDI, a leader in the grocery retailing industry, is always looking for ways to be more energy efficient, while continuing to pass along savings to its customers. The company recently worked with Duke Energy to develop a customized "energy efficiency incentive package" for its new stores. Additionally, for existing stores in Duke Energy's service territory, ALDI installed LED freezer lights, more efficient motors and overhead lighting, as well as nighttime display covers for open coolers. 

Bank of America – Charlotte, N.C.

Helping the bottom line and the environment, Bank of America has reduced electricity costs by more than 14 percent in banking facilities and 18 percent in office buildings. Recently, the company has reduced information technology related energy use, and implemented a smart building system at 3,500 banking locations. By early 2011, its smart building system had reduced energy use by 2 million kWh at the 98 locations within Duke Energy's service area. Bank of America is involved in many other Duke programs including the PowerShare® demand response program.

Catawba College – Salisbury, N.C.

Catawba College participates in Duke Energy's Smart Metering and SmartBuilding Advantage programs. The Smart Metering program gives Catawba real-time access to extensive energy usage data from campus buildings, empowering the college to effectively track and adjust energy usage. Through the SmartBuilding Advantage program, Catawba College was able to upgrade its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting systems to reduce energy consumption.

EMC Corporation – Durham and Research Triangle Park, N.C.

EMC Corporation is a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service. The company anticipates that its new 450,000-square-foot Center of Excellence (COE) facility in Durham, N.C., will earn LEED™ Silver certification. By incorporating sustainability and energy efficiency in the facility's design and construction, including a rooftop water collection system, free air cooling for much of the year, and flywheel technology that eliminates the need for battery storage in the uninterrupted power supply systems, EMC will significantly reduce its energy consumption.

Fairfield City Schools – Fairfield, Ohio

Fairfield City Schools adopted an "Energy Management and Conservation Policy" as a formal commitment to conserving energy and natural resources, while exercising sound financial management. The result: The district has reduced energy consumption by nearly a third since 2008. Three Fairfield City Schools campuses are now eligible for an ENERGY STAR® rating for their efficient use of energy. The district aims to become an ENERGY STAR school district in the coming year.

Frontier Spinning Mills – Mayodan, N.C.

Frontier Spinning Mills continually explores ways to reduce costs and improve profitability. In 2011, the company signed up its two Mayodan, N.C., plants for PowerShare, a Duke Energy program that rewards businesses for reducing energy consumption during peak time periods. Frontier has also retrofitted its plants' lighting systems and uses electric cost savings to help justify and complete expansions.

City of Greenville – Greenville, S.C.

The city of Greenville recently launched the Greening of Greenville, a project aimed at reducing energy consumption and emissions through more efficient lighting, building upgrades and the promotion of electric vehicles. Greenville's downtown business district is also taking part in Duke Energy's SmartBuilding Advantage program, which employs a whole-building approach to help building owners maximize energy efficiency.

Kings Local School District – Kings Mill, Ohio

Kings Local School District is at the forefront of energy efficiency and optimization. The district was the first Ohio customer to take advantage of Duke Energy's SmartBuilding Advantage program, and the first school district in the state to participate in the company's PowerShare Call Option program. In addition, the Kings Local School District reduced energy consumption by upgrading its lighting, and installing a chiller, ice machines and a variable frequency drive (VFD).

Lincoln Financial Group – Radnor, Pa.

Lincoln Financial contracts with Duke Energy to own, operate and maintain the backup power system for the company's facilities in Greensboro, N.C. In addition, Lincoln Financial achieved sustained energy savings by installing efficient chillers and upgrading its lighting systems. The company has also signed on to participate in Duke Energy's Energy Smart Data Center pilot program, which helps data centers save money and energy by achieving higher levels of energy efficiency.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 4 million customers located in five states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 12 million people. Its commercial power and international business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at Duke-Energy.com.

SOURCE Duke Energy