Rockingham County Schools (RCS) in North Carolina has made significant strides in energy efficiency and sustainability. With 23 schools spread across 572 square miles, serving approximately 12,000 students, the district faced rising utility costs and aging infrastructure. By leveraging EnergyCAP and securing a $7.8 million Department of Energy (DOE) Renew America School Grant, RCS has positioned itself as a leader in energy conservation within rural school districts.

Challenges

RCS struggled with outdated equipment, including nearly 100-year-old boilers and inefficient cooling systems. The district needed funding to modernize facilities, improve indoor air quality, and implement innovative energy-saving technologies. Additionally, as a rural district, securing financial resources was a persistent challenge.

Solution 

RCS embarked on an ambitious journey to secure the DOE grant, utilizing EnergyCAP’s data management capabilities to build a compelling application. The district:

• Conducted energy assessments using EnergyCAP to analyze utility data from 2012 onward. 
• Partnered with Johnson Controls for technical expertise and project support. 
• Engaged the community, including local utilities, government officials, and environmental organizations, to demonstrate widespread support. 
• Developed the Rockingham Green Alliance, a collaborative initiative to align district-wide energy efficiency efforts.

Implementation 

With the $7.8 million grant, RCS is set to implement energy-efficient upgrades, including: 

• Upgrading HVAC systems to enhance indoor air quality and reduce energy waste. 
• Installing solar panels and other renewable energy solutions. 
• Transitioning to LED lighting across all campuses.

RCS also plans to use EnergyCAP’s public dashboards to provide real-time transparency on energy savings, allowing community members to track progress and impact.

Results 

RCS’s efforts are expected to yield significant cost savings and environmental benefits, including: 

• Reduced energy consumption across the district. 
• Lowered utility costs, allowing funds to be reallocated to educational programs. 
• Improved learning environments with better air quality and lighting.