As part of the Energy Efficiency Program, a component of Michigan’s Clean, Renewable and Efficient Energy Act of 2008, Consumers Energy awarded Grand Valley State University $116,280 incentive rebate check for the university’s efficiency efforts on campus.

Through the installation of two new high-efficiency air chillers at Allendale’s Central Utilities Building, the university will save an estimated 195,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.

This translates to approximately $16,000 in operating costs, said Terry Pahl of facilities services at GVSU, adding that the projected savings are all based off of estimates at this point.

“It will depend on how much we actually operate the units,” Pahl said. “That will depend on both the weather conditions and how well we operate the chilled water system as a whole. “

GVSU already has four previously installed air chillers on campus, but Pahl said since they aren’t as efficient, the university will primarily use the new ones.

Pahl said by the end of this calendar year, GVSU will have accumulated an annual cost reduction of $1.7 M through seven main areas: energy contracts and selecting correct fuels, temperature settings and setbacks, HVAC equipment schedules and improved controls, lighting, HVAC equipment replacements/inspections, building and infrastructure improvements and education.

Among GVSU’s recently and soon-to-be completed projects include LED lighting in parking lots and one high mast pole, lighting replaced in AuSable Hall and the Alumni House, a new high-efficiency broiler in the Calder Arts Building and an Aircuity system that is being installed in the Cook-DeVos Health Professions Building to help regulate the amount of fresh air required for the labs on the fifth floor.

Money from the rebate will be returned to the university’s general fund, which Pahl said provides the vast majority of funding for energy and efficiency projects at GVSU.

“We have not determined projects for next year nor is there a guarantee there will be funding available,” he said. “However, administration has seen our efforts as a positive for the university and if there is any funding available, we are confident we will be given some financial support towards new projects.”

The university also has an energy committee, led by Associate Vice President of Facilities Services Tim Thimmesch and comprised of staff from the energy and maintenance departments. The committee meets several times a year to update on the status of current energy projects and identify new potential projects or procedures with the aim of reducing energy consumption on campus.

For more information on GVSU’s energy reduction efforts, visit www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices/energy-management-36.htm.

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