On the Drawing Board!
LED Street Lighting
Within the city limits of Garland there are about 1300 streetlights that are served by Oncor and Reliant energy. Reducing dependency on the electric grid and reducing operations costs are two primary reasons why a pilot program will be conducted that will provide additional information toward future considerations of lighting alternatives to high pressure sodium and other forms of lightings in our community.
An LED pilot will begin in June 2012 that will feature eleven (11) LED street lights on display in the Club Creek subdivision in South Garland. The City will partner with John Wright Associates, Inc., Philips Lighting and Cummings Electrical, Inc. for a 90 day trial. The project includes a street lighting demonstration on Wynn Joyce Road and residential street lighting within the subdivision. Visit ledimpact.net to learn more about LED technology. And follow progress of this pilot here.
Beginning in November 2012, the City will partner with the Hills FireWheel Homeowners Association and two (2) LED (light emitting diode) companies (Space Electronics and Bell & McCoy) to install approximately 6 LED residential streetlights for a demonstration period of 60 days. Local residents will have the opportunity to evaluate and provide comments back to the City on the energy reduction lighting solutions. The City will take and evaluate the information toward future installations of LED products in area neighborhood.
Wind Power
A wind demonstrations project under consideration features a 3kilowatt vertical-axis wind turbine to be located at a selected site in the city for demonstration of wind technology. The turbine uses advanced technology to provide the highest performing generator in the small wind sector. The demonstrations project is designed to provide information toward determining future operational feasibility in Garland and primary benefits are reported to:
- Operate quietly at high speeds
- Reduce carbon footprint
- Reduces dependency on foreign oil
- Fulfils commitment to sustainable energy
Visit verdegy.com to learn more.
Waste Compacting
An agreement has been signed with Waste Management for a trial implementation of Big Belly Trash Compactors. The two units have been deployed in central and south locations and will assist the city in determine operational and economic feasibility of future deployment across the city. The units do not require electricity to initiate the compacting process rather uses solar technology to perform refuse compacting volumes by five times its capacity. Visit www.wm.com to learn more.
Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure
An agreement has been signed with Ecotality, Inc. for the deployment of four electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) units to go along with the acquisition of four plug in hybrid electric General Motors Volt's. The EVSE’s are provided through a grant and have been installed at City Hall, Main Street Municipal Building (MSMB) and Environmental Health office. All charging units will feature maximum four hour charging limits through 240 volt service and provide detail reports to assist Garland and Ecotality staff with planning future deployments across the city.
A phase 2 grant project planned for 2012 will expand the deployment to a total of 25 units citywide. Visit blinknetwork.com to locate a charging supply stations near you. Contact David Jacobs at 972-205-2490 for additional details.
Propane Vehicles & Fueling Locations
Expanding choice of alternative fuel use is an important aspect of the city's Alternative Fuels and Vehicle plan. As a result the city has planned for the acquisition of a number of propane powered trucks to be added to its fleet in 2012. The trucks come from the factory assembled to receive propane fuel as its only fuel source. Two fueling sites will be available in central and western locations in the city for fleet refueling purposes.
Visit www.roushcleantech.com to learn more.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicles
Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline (petrol), diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels, and it is much safer than other fuels in the event of a spill (natural gas is lighter than air, and disperses quickly when released). CNG is made by compressing natural gas (which is mainly composed of methane [CH4]), to less than 1% of the volume it occupies at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of 200–248 bar (2900–3600 psi), usually in cylindrical or spherical shapes.
The Traffic and Transportation Department was chosen to receive the first vehicle, a Ford Transit Connect , light duty cargo van converted to CNG funded by a Railroad Commission of Texas grant and will evaluate the vehicle over the next few years toward future acquisitions by the city.
