Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Sourcing Renewables  -  February 26, 2020

Virginia Tech invests $3 million for energy efficiency upgrades

Virginia Tech announced Feb. 24 that over $3.1 million has been approved for funding energy efficiency projects at its Blacksburg, Va., campus over the next year.

The funding will support projects that are working toward the university’s Five-Year Energy Action Plan to reduce energy consumption costs at their 50 most energy-intensive buildings within five years, a project that is expected to save the university more than $6 million in energy costs. 

The proposed projects to be implemented under Phase 5 of the project include an LED and HVAC overhaul, lab ventilation optimization, power plant compressed air system optimization and the installation of a rooftop solar project on campus. As part of this ongoing project, new smart meter infrastructure is installed at new buildings and older buildings, especially laboratories, will undergo meter retrofitting projects.

The first four phases of the project allowed Virginia Tech to reduce its carbon emissions by 23,000 tons per year and save more than $2.3 million in energy costs, while incorporating 10 new energy-intensive buildings each phase.

“It is an undeniably exciting time to be at Virginia Tech, and this rings especially true as it relates to sustainability,” Dwayne Pinkey, senior vice president and chief business offer, said in a statement. “Current initiatives like the Energy Action Plan and revisions to the Climate Action Commitment are strong indicators of the university’s long-term engagement in environmental stewardship. We will continue to work collaboratively in seeking out new opportunities to invest time, knowledge, and financial resources in pursuit of a more sustainable society.”

As this project continues, university leaders are seeking new ways to update their energy goals and methods to achieving a more sustainable campus. The project will continue to evolve as new opportunities in energy efficiency and renewable energy are identified.