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Integrated Energy Master Plan producing cost savings, improved efficiency

• April 11, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University is well on its way to investing nearly $11.5 million in projects that reduce energy consumption under the guidance of the December 2012 IU Bloomington Integrated Energy Master Plan, university officials told the Board of Trustees today.

The figure encompasses building renovation and rehabilitation projects that include replacing outdated lighting and mechanical systems with more efficient modern systems. More than half the projects have been completed or are under construction. Others are in the design or planning phases.

"Indiana University is taking strategic steps to improve the efficiency of campus buildings and utility systems," said Tom Morrison, IU vice president for capital planning and facilities. "The Integrated Energy Master Plan will guide the campus in its efforts to conserve energy, reduce carbon emissions and ultimately lower energy costs for students and taxpayers."

Lighting replacements alone have reduced ongoing electrical consumption by nearly 900,000 watts and produced $283,000 in annual savings. The lighting upgrades have also yielded IU about $211,000 in energy conservation rebates from its electrical supplier, Duke Energy.

Along with building renovations and repairs, IU Bloomington has undertaken projects aimed specifically at conserving energy, such as replacement of aging steam and condensate pipes and steam traps that are part of the campus heating and cooling systems.

The Integrated Energy Master Plan, approved by the Board of Trustees 16 months ago, charts a path for addressing campus infrastructure needs to serve the goals of efficiency and environmental sustainability in a fiscally responsible manner. It puts a priority on improving mechanical systems, implementing energy-related improvements to facilities and upgrading utility systems.

Future goals include shifting from coal to natural gas for the Central Heating Plant as boilers are retired and replaced, continuing to require LEED certification for new campus buildings, nurturing a culture of sustainability and investigating the use of renewable energy as technology advances and costs decrease.

8760 Engineering of St. Louis prepared the Energy Master Plan on the basis of an intensive analysis of data regarding energy consumption patterns, future infrastructure needs and energy delivery systems. The plan, which complements a 2010 IU Bloomington campus master plan, identified projects that would cost an estimated $82.6 million and produce $9.7 million in annual savings.

The suite of projects for the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years includes 40 energy-specific projects with a total cost $5.6 million and five building renovation projects with a total cost of $5.9 million. Nineteen of the projects are complete, seven are under construction, 15 are being designed, and four are being planned.

State higher-education appropriations for repair and rehabilitation, university construction project funds and designated campus revenues have paid for the projects.

Related Links

• Office of the Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities