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In an effort to improve its learning environment
and save energy, the University of South Carolina (USC) has
contracted with Johnson Controls, Inc., a global leader in
facility management and controls, for energy management services
and improvements to the campus.
The $34 million performance contract, which went into effect
September 1, requires no upfront investment from USC. Rather,
the improvements will be paid for through energy savings, which
are guaranteed throughout the 13-year contract term. The
University will save nearly $4 million each year, with an
estimated $52 million in cumulative savings.
Specific improvements include building a new energy plant with
new chillers and updating the existing central energy plants by
replacing chillers to modernize out-of-date cooling systems. The
central control system will be updated to the newest version of
the Johnson Controls Metasys® building management system. The
campus-wide steam distribution system will be upgraded to reduce
steam leaks, including steam trap replacements. Lighting and
plumbing fixtures will also be upgraded throughout the campus to
enhance the learning environment and reduce energy and water
consumption.
Johnson Controls will be supporting USC during the 13-year
contract with a service contract. A dedicated on-site energy
team will optimize the energy efficiency strategies while
maintaining or improving comfort conditions, ensure that the
energy savings are maximized, and will identify additional
opportunities to further reduce the University’s energy
consumption.
Complementing these facility upgrades, Johnson Controls will
also support USC’s campus energy conservation activities and
energy education programs, which align directly with their
sustainability initiatives. The University initiated a program
to train 11 resident assistants in the school’s new sustainably-designed
Living Learning Community on how to educate their floor
residents on “green” living practices using a Technologies
Toolbox, consisting of environmental resources and facts, which
Johnson Controls provided. |
