University of Illinois Facilities and Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2016

$1.5M in Grant Funding Received for Campus Energy Conservation Work

CHAMPAIGN, IL –  The University of Illinois received more than $1.5M in energy conservation grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in August for over 40 electric and natural gas projects.

The work occurring from 2015-16 includes Retrocommissioning (RCx) in 19 buildings, lighting retrofits, and LED upgrades throughout campus. Projects in six auxiliary facilities improved energy efficiency and provided significant cost avoidance for buildings of self-supporting campus units: Campus Recreation, University Housing, and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics.

A total of more than $15.0M in energy conservation grant funding received to date for Urbana campus projects has contributed to reducing overall energy consumption on campus by 25% since the fiscal year 2008, ahead of Illinois Climate Action Plan target goals. The primary granting agencies are the Illinois DCEO and Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

Karl Helmink, Associate Director of Utilities & Energy Services, said acquiring state grants remains an important part of the university’s energy conservation efforts.

“The energy conservation success on campus would not be possible without continued grant funding and the ability to prioritize work which lowers annual utility costs, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and accomplishes strategic sustainability goals,” Helmink said.

To date, RCx teams have upgraded the systems of more than 60 campus buildings, covering over 8 million gross square feet, with an average energy reduction of 27% per facility. More than $38M in utility costs has been avoided since the start of the RCx program in 2007.

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Facilities & Services (F&S), at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, provides all physical plant, operational, and essential services for sustaining an environment that fosters the research, teaching, and public engagement activities. F&S supports the university’s education, research, and outreach missions by improving the physical condition of the facilities and grounds through construction and building maintenance activities, providing utilities production and distribution, implementing energy conservation initiatives, and increasing customer satisfaction by delivering quality services in a responsive, reliable, and customer-focused manner. www.fs.illinois.edu