Energy Saving Enhancements Approved for Penn State Behrend
Work is underway on nearly $3.7 million of energy efficient improvements to facilities at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.
The upgrades being implemented are based on the results of a detailed energy audit commissioned by the college in January, and construction is expected to wrap-up before students return for the fall semester. The project builds on a growing number of energy saving initiatives underway at Penn State Behrend that range from purchasing more energy from renewable sources, to finding ways to reuse materials and recycle more, to building more energy efficient facilities. The end result will be a campus that uses less energy, has more comfortable living and learning environments, promotes research opportunities into alternative energy sources, and provides students and staff with an even greater awareness of how their actions impact energy use and the environment.
The college is using a performance contract to ensure the project costs will be recovered in reduced utility costs over the next 10 years, thus the project is self funding and does not impact other Penn State Behrend programs.
Steve Maruszewski, deputy associate vice president for physical plant and leader of the University’s Environmental Strategy, said, “Penn State is committed to aggressively reducing its impact on the environment. Minimizing energy consumption associated with University operations will cause a significant reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions. The improvements in energy efficiency at Penn State Behrend are another fine example of the University’s environmental stewardship.”
Chancellor Jack Burke added, “Change begins at home. Penn State Behrend recognizes its responsibility to be environmentally sound, and continually strives to achieve that goal.”
The project includes more efficient lighting and water fixtures in nearly all of the campus buildings. Heating and cooling systems will be replaced and enhanced control systems will also be installed. One of the most notable and visible changes will be the installation of a 1.8 kilowatt wind turbine. The wind turbine will not only supply renewable energy to the campus, but will serve as an education and research tool for studying wind power.
“Penn State’s administration should be commended for their diligent efforts to increase energy efficiency,” stated Buddy Hahs, president and CEO of Custom Energy. “They’ve embraced this program and the benefits it has to offer; it’s a tangible demonstration of financial stewardship and real commitment to improving the environment.”
The benefits to Penn State Behrend and the environment include:
-- 24.5 percent reduction in energy use
-- Over 6 million gallons of water saved annually (enough to fill nearly 10 Olympic size swimming pools)
-- Annual emission reductions of 3,700 tons of greenhouse gases (CO2, NOX, and SO2), which is equivalent to planting over 1,000 acres of trees.
An awareness program will be conducted to educate students and staff about the energy-saving upgrades implemented on campus and will identify ways that each individual can help save additional energy through their daily actions. “
The choices we make on a daily basis have a significant impact on the amount of energy we use,” stated Terry Divine, energy awareness manager for Custom Energy. “While the specific savings from each action may be small, those tiny increments add up when repeated daily, especially when you multiply them by the more than 4,000 students and faculty on the Penn State Behrend campus.”
The University also provides ongoing reinforcement of responsible energy use at all campuses through their Take Charge! program. Custom Energy is an independently owned energy services company specializing in a wide range of energy-efficiency solutions. Its services are focused on identifying and implementing energy and operational cost saving ideas, while improving the quality of facilities for public and private sector clients nationwide.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is a comprehensive residential college offering 32 baccalaureate, six associate, four pre-professional and two graduate degree programs with 22 minors to more than 4,000 students. Focused on providing a student-centered environment, Penn State Behrend is the link that connects its students to a major research and land-grant institution on a campus enriched by more than 110 clubs and organizations, 21 NCAA varsity teams, 19 intramural sports and modern facilities.