Round Rock School District Gets $16,000 Refund From Austin Energy

The Round Rock school district received a $16,061 refund from Austin Energy, according to the district’s website.

The refund represents nearly 3 percent of energy costs for the district from June to September and comes from participation in an Austin Energy program called the Load Cooperative. The Load Cooperative allows businesses to voluntarily reduce energy usage during peak demand periods, according to Austin Energy.

The program runs during the summer, where energy usage is at its highest. Participants in the Load Cooperative are alerted an hour in advance before Austin Energy initiates a 3-hour energy reduction or curtailment. Participants can then decide to have their energy reduced in exchange for a refund.

During energy reductions Round Rock district technicians Isrrael Nunez and Joey Mancias initiate an automated system to alternate thermostat controls throughout the district. The thermostats are turned off for one ten minute interval for each hour of the energy reduction.

“RRISD hosts more than 1,000 thermostats in classrooms and offices, which are serviced by Austin Energy,” said Wesley Perkins, the school districts energy manager, on the district website. “The goal is to better coordinate the timing of cooling needs so that all classrooms remain cool while also maximizing our energy savings.”