An energy saving project which was invested in 10 years ago has been paid in full, and now UB stands to gain an annual savings of $4 million from the investment. This represents one of many milestones made by UB Green, the program that works to promote campus environmental responsibility.
The initial three-year CES/Way project took place from 1994-1997. CES/Way, which is now known as Honeywell, spent those years performing a number of energy-saving changes on the UB North Campus.
Michael F. Dupre, the associate vice president for university facilities, explained where some of the $17 million dollar investment was actually spent.
"We put in high efficiency motors and improved temperature control in buildings, as well as a certain amount of converting from electric heat to gas heat," Dupre said. "More efficient lighting systems were put in, especially the fluorescent lighting."
Once the project was completed in 1997, the debt began to get repaid. The instant savings on electricity made the $1.5 million annual debt payment seem minor.
The project has been destined for success since the start.
"In 1998, it was recognized as the energy project of the year in the United States," Dupre said.
Today, the debt has been completely repaid, and the project has proven to be extremely profitable, as well as environmentally friendly. UB will gain an annual $4 million dollars of savings, which will go towards other university needs.
"Savings at the electric meter or gas meter will save enough money that you will save money over time," Dupre said.
UB has guaranteed that the measures will stay in place for no less than 15 years, which will wind up leading to increased savings due to increased energy costs.
The success of the project has led UB to pursue a new energy saving endeavor in 2005. In what has come to be known as the Chevron project, South Campus is currently undergoing energy saving conversions.
"The lighting project is complete, but the rest will take 6 months," Dupre said.
According to Dupre, it will take 15 years before the $11 million dollar debt is repaid. The campus has decided to recognize UB's feat in environmental awareness by naming this academic year as "A Greener Shade of Blue."
This theme refers to the celebration of environmental commitment taking place this year around campus. A variety of events and public awareness efforts have taken place and will continue to, including upcoming distinguished speakers Jean-Michel Cousteau and Al Gore. The university hopes to change students' perspectives on their energy usage, and continue as a national leader in energy conservation.
"If people really were responsive to what we're asking to do, we could trim our energy by three to four hundred thousand," Dupre said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
