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 GHG emission reduction goals (reduce GHG to 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% below 1990 levels by 2040). The Project contributed to the campus receiving a STARS Silver rating from AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education).(2)
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 student interns were hired during the construction phase, eight scholarships awarded since inception (two students per year receive academic scholarships), and a website created. The GO team successfully conducted a human behavior audit and is now focused on how to better promote actions based on the findings. Initiatives and recommendations are being proposed as well as key performance tracking mechanisms providing neutral, third-party documentation of sustainability programs. The Company is partnering with the University and participating in a gender and leadership initiative to encourage underrepresented groups to overcome workplace challenges.

SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

The Asset aims to allow 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 will be installed on campus.
The Asset reduces natural gas consumption by 73%, water consumption by 7 million gallons per year, and has estimated availability above 99.7%.(1)

SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and Infrastructure)

Completed air permitting for new low NOx (oxides of nitrogen) boilers that are fully compliant with the local air permitting district.
Implemented and closed 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.

Source: (1) Project company data

(2) https://reports.aashe.org/institutions/california-state-university-fresno-ca/report/2023-12-04