Project Overview
The Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is the most visited cultural attraction in Minnesota and is enjoyed by visitors year-round, but the 24/7 operations of the zoo facilities result in significant energy and operational costs. The Como Zoo campus is the largest energy user within the City of Saint Paul’s building portfolio, with energy costs exceeding $1 million annually.
The City of Saint Paul has partnered with Honeywell for the planning, design, and installation of this first phase of the Como Zoo Decarbonization Project, which will upgrade aging and inefficient building systems across the campus during 2024-2025. These building improvements will reduce energy and operational costs, while maintaining the safety and resiliency of zoo facilities.
The project scope includes these building improvements:
- Installing an electric powered geothermal heat pump system at the Primates and Polar Bear Buildings to remove the facilities from the inefficient gas-powered, central low-pressure steam plant
- A two-well Darcy retrofit at each building will supply chilled water and resupply existing hydronic hot water heating systems
- Geothermal source heat pump systems will provide simultaneous heating and cooling water to the building hydronic systems
- Existing DX cooling equipment will be replaced with high-efficiency chilled water, cooling equipment
- Domestic hot water will be supplied by a dedicated geothermal heat pump heating system backed with storage to optimize hot water production
- High-efficiency natural gas boilers will provide 100% grid backup/resilience
- A natural gas fueled emergency generator will be installed at the Primates Building
- Upgrading to an electric boiler at the Administration Building to remove the facility from the central steam boiler system
- Retrofitting to LED lighting at 10 buildings, as well as the exterior pathway lighting
- Improving the building envelope at 7 facilities by replacing door seals to eliminate gaps/air penetrations
- Installing window film in the Visitor Center porch area to increase the window thermal resistance, reducing the solar heat load on the cooling system and decreasing heat loss during the heating season
- Adding mechanical pipe insulation on hot water and chilled water piping, valves, and fittings in 3 buildings
- Upgrading the Building Automation System and controls at 3 facilities for improvement energy management and operations
Project Funding
Funding for the $16 million project was made possible through congressionally directed spending from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, State of Minnesota bonding funds, and the City of Saint Paul's Common Cent Program. The project is expected to qualify for a federal Investment Tax Credit of $4.3 million under the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as a range of utility rebates from Xcel Energy.
Project Timeline
Construction will take place from fall 2024 through fall 2025, however, work will primarily take place within spaces not accessible to the public and no significant exhibit closures are expected.
• LED Lighting Upgrades – fall 2024
• Building Envelope Improvements – fall 2024
• Geothermal Well Installation – fall 2024/winter 2025
• HVAC System Upgrades – winter/spring 2025
• Building Automation System Upgrades – spring/summer 2025
Resources
For additional information on the project, please visit:
Contact Us:
Matt Reinartz
Marketing and PR Manager
matt.reinartz@ci.stpaul.mn.us
