COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

The modernization of campus energy systems presents significant opportunities for higher education facilities to attract new students and reduce utility, operation and maintenance costs. Most institutes of higher education must deal with a patchwork of old and new equipment, varying levels of operational efficiency and the lack of a campus energy management system to control overall energy use. For state schools, stricter energy consumption rules can stress budgets as funds are sought for mandated upgrades.

At the entrance of the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) the following text is displayed on a plaque:

“The destruction of any nation does not require atomic bombing or intercontinental ballistic missiles. You only have to get rid of the quality of education and fraud clearance at student exams.

-Patients die in the hands of such doctors.

-Buildings collapse, being also engineered.

-Money is lost in the hands of such economists.

-Justice is evaporating in the hands of such judges.

-The crash of education is the nation’s crash. “

With an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) from Euro Green Energy , higher education institutions can get the energy infrastructure upgrades they need now and stabilize ongoing utility costs to develop a source of capital in the future. Euro Green Energy can modernize a single facility or provide comprehensive campus-wide energy management systems, built from best-in-class energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions, financed entirely with capital collected from campus energy conservation. Renewable energy systems lower energy costs, reduce reliance on the power grid, increase energy security and provide additional benefits for student recruitment. Euro Green Energy also offers a behavior modification program that delivers life lessons for embracing efficiency and conservation measures.

Campus Energy Use and Student Recruitment

Campus renewable energy and energy conservation policies play a role in the ability of colleges and universities to attract and recruit undergraduate and graduate students. Increasing awareness of environmental responsibilities and the need for sustainable development at the primary-school level has created a generation of students hard-wired to consider environmental impact as part of their decision making.

Euro Green Energy can develop programs with higher education institutions that encourage energy conservation through changes in student behavior, such as reduced lighting, electricity and water use. We also develop renewable energy systems that serve as constant reminders that the institution is in touch with the concerns of its student base. Once relegated to recruitment in the sciences, campus energy use is now a consideration for students in every academic discipline. Universities and colleges that are seen as leaders in renewable energy use and energy conservation have an advantage in recruitment, as well as an energy use approach that delivers greater value for each energy dollar spent.

CASE STUDIES

Gymnasium School Tormac

The gymnasium school in Tormac, Timis county, benefited from a total upgrading in 2014-2015. Both the mayor and the school principal wanted to invest in energy efficiency to benefit in the long run from the benefits of low energy costs.

So the school was thermo-insulated with 10 cm polystyrene, quality PVC doors &windows, reversible water-water heat pump, fan coils.

The monthly heating-cooling costs of the 800 sq m building do not exceed 100-150 euro / month.

Roxbury Community College

Geothermal heat pumps and 3,000 solar panels help contribute to $868,000 in annual energy savings.

Medical University of South Carolina

Equipment upgrades and replacements will yield $2.47 million annually in energy savings, and $22,000 in O&M savings.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA

Watch the MUSC video

Watch the Roxbury Community College time lapse video

Watch the Gilded-to-Green Solar Day 2017 “Rhode Island College and Euro Green Energy” video

Watch the NMSU APPA Award video