Harry Ragsdale
Metro Contract Administrator
Harry Ragsdale joined the Metro District Energy System administration team in February 2007 when his firm, Thermal Engineering Group, Inc., was awarded the contract to provide Metro DES project contract administration consulting services.
Since then, DES has continued to be both in supporting commercial development and in reducing the
city's carbon footprint. We recently caught up with Harry to find out a little more about the role of project administrator, and to see if there are any upcoming projects.
- Q: For those who don't know what a project administrator does, please tell us what your role is at Metro DES.
- A: The function of the project contract administrator is to perform ongoing coordination and administration oversight of the District Energy System operations to ensure services to DES customers continue at a high level of performance. I oversee operations and system maintenance, system and new customer development, rate development, invoice approval, coordination of customer-related activities, contract compliance, budget preparation, and other administrative duties.
- Q: Share some career highlights with us. What path led you to where you are?
- A: I have been involved in district energy nationally for more than 25 years. Over the past 20 years, TEG has provided technical support on a number of occasions for Nashville District Energy System. During the city's transition from the Nashville Thermal Transfer Corporation system to the new District Energy System, I represented the thenexisting private customers in developing a mutually acceptable long-term energy contract with the city. Our firm's experience and local presence matched well with the city's requirements to provide oversight in the operation of this valuable asset.
- Q: When you took over the position, the facility was almost brand-new. Any DES employee will tell you that there's a sense of obligation to keep the facility and equipment like new. What's been the biggest challenge in accomplishing this goal, and how is the plant holding up in its fifth year?
- A: Actually, we assumed the role of project contract administrator at the end of the first five-year term held by the previous project contract administrator, GBB. The new system was near the end of its third fiscal year and beginning to move into the fourth. Under its operating contract with the city, CEPS is to maintain the new facility in a “like-new” condition. The qualifications that made CEPS an appropriate candidate as the system operator and the credentials and competence of its staff make maintaining the new facility at this period in its life less than a daunting task. Maintaining the 30-plus-year-old underground energy distribution system (EDS) is a challenge. Constant attention to the EDS is required to ensure reliable service to the customers. Over the last four years, Metro has investe substantial time and money in making improvements to the EDS.
- Q: Where is the system now, in terms of capacity? Are there other potential downtown customers who aren't using Metro DES' services that could benefit from changing to the system?
- A: The system, as it currently operates, has adequate capacity to serve future opportunities like the proposed Nashville Convention Center and the adjacent proposed hotel. The facility was designed to accommodate a 12 percent to 15 percent capacity expansion within the footprint of the existing building. Other than servicing new development, any building with aging in-house heating or cooling systems would most likely see serious economic benefits from utilizing Nashville District Energy System.
- Q: Are there any capital projects in the works for the near future?
- A: There are ongoing EDS upgrades on the books which are paid for by funds allocated through FY08. The tunnel system, which houses a portion of the steam distribution system, is in need of renewal; however, capital funding for FY09 was placed on hold, and the FY10 capital budget remains under review.
- Q: The proposed downtown convention center continues to move forward. Is this a project in which DES could play a role? If so, how would this affect the existing DES customers?
- A: At this time, the proposed convention center is developing as a district energy customer. The addition of the convention center should improve the overall system efficiency, and higher efficiency correlates to lower costs for the customers.
- Q: What advice would you give to DES customers to keep costs down and efficiency high as we transition from spring to summer?
- A: For either steam or chilled water, making sure major air-handling systems are staged when turned on will reduce demand and keep costs down. As we enter the cooling season, maintaining high differential temperatures between the chilled water supply and return improves overall system efficiency and helps to reduce customer costs. Poor steam-trap maintenance contributes to unnecessary use of steam and increases operating costs. The DES Web site contains a section called Tips for Customer Energy Savings. We recommend that all of our customers review the site to get more information on how to save money and keep efficiency high.
- Q: What do you like to do when you're not on the job?
- A: Spend time with my four grandchildren and squeeze in a little golf.