Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and Department of Public Works Commissioner William Geary were joined today by representatives from e2Companies and 34 Group to review work completed following a major microgrid and infrastructure modernization project of the Edward A. Rath County Office Building. The electrical upgrades and other infrastructure improvements, which involved an $11 million investment by Erie County, represent the most comprehensive energy resiliency and modernization upgrades made in the 16-floor structure’s history.
In addition to providing a tour of the service and utility areas of the fifth floor of the Rath Building, Poloncarz and Geary were presented a check made out to Erie County in the amount of $2,493,951 as a federal Investment Tax Credit rebate.
The project extended beyond the building’s electrical infrastructure to include additional improvements:
- New Roof: The Rath Building’s existing roof had reached the end of its useful life and was replaced as part of the overall project, providing the building with a renewed roof system while supporting the installation of new energy infrastructure.
- Solar Energy: A new solar array was installed on the fifth-floor level, adding on-site renewable generation that can operate as part of the building’s broader energy platform.
- Electric Vehicle Charging: Level 2 EV charging stations were installed in the parking garage, expanding Erie County’s infrastructure to support electric vehicles.
- 2 MW Resilient Power System: The R3Di® System provides continuous, conditioned on-site power and strengthens the building’s ability to maintain operations through grid and power-quality events.
- Intelligent Energy Management: Grove365® provides ongoing monitoring and optimization of the building’s energy infrastructure, bringing the various energy resources together within e2Companies’ Virtual Utility® platform.
“These recent improvements have helped transform the Rath Building into a more resilient and efficient structure,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “I thank the teams from e2Companies and 34 Group for their work in addressing Erie County’s aging electrical infrastructure so that we can better address increasing energy demands. I also thank Commissioner Geary and the Department of Public Works employees who have worked diligently with our collaborative partners on this project and a special thanks to all county employees who work inside the Rath Building for their patience and cooperation throughout the project.”
"This investment strengthens the resiliency of one of Erie County's most important public buildings while supporting the essential services our residents depend on every day,” said Erie County Department of Public Works Commissioner William Geary. “We appreciate the partnership with e2Companies and 34 Group in delivering an innovative solution that prepares our public infrastructure for future demands."
As county government’s administrative headquarters, the Rath Building required a long-term solution to address aging electrical infrastructure and increasing energy demands. The virtual utility platform installation helped to modernize the building’s electrical infrastructure while delivering two megawatts of resilient, on-site power to support critical county operations. The work completed enhances resiliency, improves power quality and supports future growth while reducing the dependance on lengthy traditional utility infrastructure upgrades.
“This project demonstrates how communities can modernize critical infrastructure without waiting years for traditional grid expansion,” said James Richmond, chief executive officer of e2Companies. “By deploying intelligent, resilient power at the Rath Building, Erie County is strengthening essential public services while preparing for future energy demands.”
“We’re proud to partner with Erie County and e2Companies on a project that demonstrates what is possible through collaboration,” said Thurman Thomas, president of 34 Group. “This deployment strengthens critical infrastructure and lays the foundation for future resiliency projects across Western New York.”
The Rath Building installation is the first major milestone in e2Companies' long-term partnership with Erie County to evaluate and deploy additional distributed energy and resiliency solutions across the county's public facilities, creating a scalable model for helping governments modernize aging infrastructure, improve energy resilience, and strengthen critical public services across Western New York.
Originally opened in 1969, the Edward A. Rath County Office Building is located at 95 Franklin St. in Buffalo. Named after the first County Executive of Erie County, the building houses various county departments and approximately 1,200 of Erie County’s roughly 5,500 total employees.
For more information:
About the Erie County Department of Public Works, visit www.erie.gov/dpw
