Audi Field, Washington, future home of Major League Soccer's D.C. United, has been granted $25 million to fund a private clean energy program that will include the installation of state-of-the-art energy and water efficiency measures.
The initiative began after Audi Field expressed interest in incorporating progressive green design elements to their 20,000-capacity stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2018. Audi Field reached out to the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), which funds the measure, to assist with the program.
The DOEE and the district government brought Property Assessed Clean Energy (DC PACE) into conversations with the team.
“We worked with the team to help them understand the benefits of solar, solar pricing and sizing and also we helped them access all of the technical assistance and other resources that were available for storm water and other site improvements," said Bracken Hendricks, CEO of Urban Ingenuity & DC PACE administrator.
The deal was completed through a partnership with locally based EagleBank.
“It’s EagleBank stepping up buying bonds and funding improvements,” Hendricks said. “It’s DC United taking on the tax payments. The district facilitated it. Urban Ingenuities structured it through the DC PACE program, but there are no public dollars used.”
The deal is structured similar to a mortgage, with Audi Field paying for the measures over time. This benefits all involved. Audi Field and D.C. United will receive the benefits of the energy and cost savings up front while paying for it over time as they receive benefits of the solar and energy efficiency.
PACE will help Audi Field responsibly use the $25 million granted to the stadium.
Audi Field's new installation will include 884-kilowatt solar panels, LED field lighting, low-flow water fixtures, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, additional building insulation, a green roof, and storm water management measures that meet the District’s highest standards for protecting the Anacostia River.
These measures will reduce energy use by 25 percent and are planned to reduce emissions by 820 metric tons of CO2 annually. This would be similar to removing 173 vehicles from D.C.
Strom water storage totaling 55,000 cubic feet will also be provided through green roofs, bioretention areas, and infiltration basins.
According to Jason Levien, D.C. United managing general partner, the clean energy and water conservation measures will save Audi Field roughly $125,000 annually in utility bills through LED lighting on the field and a host of other green measures throughout the site.
The PACE program exists nationwide, now in 33 states and D.C. Currently, 80 percent of the population is in some form of a PACE-enabled locale, with California and Connecticut being clear leaders in the initiative.
Qualifying for the PACE program varies by state and city. Different PACE programs have slightly different underwriting rules. PACE works with a team to help find a capital provider for the project as well as to assess the size of a technical project to include solar, sewer, LED lights and utility bill reductions.
Audi Field is the first stadium of this size to be involved with the PACE program. According to Hendricks, Urban Ingenuities is now working with several others as a result of this project.
Along with setting a benchmark for a number of stadiums and states across the country, this clean energy program will substantially benefit the city and citizens of Washington D.C.,” said Lindsay Simpson, director of media and communications, D.C. United.
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