Background:

The central heating and cooling plant at the University of Fresno provides heating and cooling services to over 3.1 million square feet of building space, spread across 80 buildings and over 1,000 acres.
Built in 1954, the plant and ancillary infrastructure were well past their useful life and in need of urgent upgrades. The boilers do not meet air pollution standards and lack the capacity to support future campus growth.
The Project consisted in the modernization of the Fresno Campus Central Utility Plant, hot and cold-water distribution network, and designated energy conservation measures.
Following a design and construction period of 3 years, the developer maintains the upgraded system for a period of 30 years and ensure a level of energy savings to the University.

Stage:

In operation

ESG/SDG Key Facts

The Project supports California State University sustainability policy goal of identifying and implementing efficiency measures to reach greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions reduction goals (reduce GHG to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2040).
In order to increase energy savings and efficiency by influencing student and academia behavioral attitudes, a Green Operations (GO) team was established. As part of this effort, 13 interns were hired, 6 scholarships awarded, and a website was created. The GO team has successfully conducted a human behavior audit and is now focused on how to better promote actions based on the audit findings. Initiatives and recommendations are being proposed as well as key performance tracking mechanisms providing neutral, third-party documentation of sustainability programs.

SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

The Asset allows for a 33% reduction in the University’s energy consumption through more efficient chillers and boilers, as well as the 4.5MW carport solar panels that are installed on campus.

SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and Infrastructure)

Completed air permitting for new low NOx boilers that are fully compliant with the local air permitting district. Implemented a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to manage stormwater discharges associated with construction and land disturbance activities. The Asset plans to monitor University enrolment projections to ensure infrastructure can support projected growth.

SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

Makes onsite electricity use and thermal generation more efficient, including waste heat recovery with Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 5.0, for increased capacity to support enrollment demands.