Oncor Program Manager Specialist John Hanel (right) celebrates the UT Dallas energy-efficiency recognition with Kelly Kinnard, the University’s director of building maintenance and operations, and Thea Junt, energy conservation sustainability manager.
Oncor, Texas’ largest regulated electric delivery business, recently recognized UT Dallas’ efforts to upgrade the campus to be more energy-efficient.
Oncor rewarded UT Dallas with a $98,371 cash incentive for replacing older cooling equipment with energy-efficient equipment in the Supplemental Utility Plant and residence halls. The incentive recognizes the University’s participation in Oncor’s Educational Facilities Program.
Oncor sponsors the Educational Facilities Program to help educate K-12 schools, colleges and universities about energy efficiency and to fund energy-reduction measures as part of its objective to lower energy use. The program provides educational material, technical assistance and monetary incentives to schools to help minimize energy usage and encourage infrastructure improvements.
From left: Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president of administration at UT Dallas; Gerald Perrin, Oncor area manager; and Betin Santos, vice president of sustainability and energy efficiency at The Tagos Group.
“The University is focused on retrofitting our older buildings with more energy-efficient technology while at the same time building new facilities that are more energy efficient than building codes require,” said Dr. Calvin Jamison, vice president for administration at UT Dallas. “
It just makes good business sense to participate in programs that help us save energy and then reward us for our efforts.”
In addition to providing cash incentive to universities like UT Dallas who are proactively upgrading and designing campuses to make them more energy-efficient, Oncor also offers free energy planning to all schools, colleges and universities in its service area. Oncor works with participating campuses to identify energy-saving measures at existing facilities and incorporate efficient design into new construction.
UT Dallas was recognized for using energy-efficient equipment in the new Supplemental Utility Plant on the east side of campus.
UT Dallas has been diligent in installing energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems in new structures, such as the Visitor Center and University Bookstore, the recently completed Residence Halls, and the LEED Platinum Student Services Building. Facilities Management has also installed energy-efficient lighting as part of building remodel and upgrade initiatives. Recent lighting upgrades on Rutford Road have included new LED lamps, which uses less than half the energy of traditional metal halide lights.
“UT Dallas has been vigilant in its efforts to take advantage of the programs offered by Oncor,” said Oncor Area Manager Barry Young. “These have not only resulted in cash incentives being awarded to the campus but more importantly, sustainable energy savings that reduce energy bills month after month. In fact, we are very excited to learn that the University will establish a revolving energy-efficiency fund, supported by incentive dollars, to be used for additional energy-efficiency upgrades across the campus resulting in even more annual savings going forward.”
The revolving fund is being used to upgrade control systems and lighting in the Activities Center. As the energy savings from these projects replenishes the revolving fund, additional energy efficiency projects will be undertaken at the University. The University plans to upgrade 13 motors and to install more energy efficient lighting in the Activities Center.