University News

Summer 2017 Energy Projects Funded, Completed at WIU

August 16, 2017

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL -- Social responsibility, one of Western Illinois University's four core values isn't designed only for community-service-based projects and volunteerism. Being a socially responsible University also means doing all that the institution can to be a sustainable entity to help protect the environment and natural resources.

During the Summer 2017, WIU's Facilities Management (FM) staff completed nearly two dozen energy-saving projects, totaling approximately $800,000. According to Troy Rhoads, interim director of Facilities Management, the University is projected to receive grant funding of more than $600,000 from the Public Sector Energy Efficiency and Natural Gas Boiler Tune-Up programs from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for the recently completed projects, which include:

• Updating a portion of the building HVAC controls to incorporate a building automation system at Malpass Library and Western Hall.

• Upgrading lighting to energy efficient LED by replacing almost 400 light fixtures and more than 3,300 light bulbs on the Macomb campus, including Knoblauch and Brophy halls, and the University Union, Student Recreation Center, Malpass Library and Alumni House.

• Installing, replacing and/or repairing over 10,000 feet of pipe insulation on the Macomb campus, including Bayliss, Henninger, Thompson, Tanner, Lincoln, Tillman, Knoblauch and Western halls, and the Heating Plant and Malpass Library.

Rhoads said that FM staff began preparing for the projects in October 2016 and completed all projects by the end of May 2017 after working a combined total of more than 6,000 labor hours.

"With the completion of these projects, the University should save an estimated $370,000 in annual electrical and gas utility costs, which represents an annual usage savings of almost 2,400,000 KWh and over 36,000 MMBtu," he added.

Since 2010, Facilities Management has been eligible for more than $2.3 million from the two Public Sector programs, receiving an average of about $340,000 each fiscal year. Due to the state budget impasse, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity did not approve any projects in FY16. The department resumed approving projects in FY17, as the funds are not allocated by the state budget.

According to Rhoads, the funding for DCEO rebate incentives is generated from an Illinois Energy Efficiency and the Public Sector Natural Gas Boiler Tune-Up surcharges, which are collected by electric and gas utility providers. The DCEO program provides incentives for improving electrical efficiency, such as LED lighting, variable frequency drive motors, HVAC systems and controls and improving gas efficiencies, such as boiler tune-up, pipe insulation, steam traps and boiler controls. For both programs, the amount of the incentive received is determined by the estimated amount of annual energy savings, and the rebate programs are only available to public entities, such as governmental agencies and universities, Rhoads explained.

Beginning in Fiscal Year 2018, the electric and gas utilities will administer the public sector programs with significant eligibility requirements.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing