*The project is ongoing, and data are still being vetted.*

The 2015 iCAP, chapter 2, objective 4, is "Engage and incentivize the campus community in energy conservation, including a comprehensive energy conservation campaign, with at least 50% of units participating by FY20". As a modern society, we need a change in our every day behavior in order to conserve energy. Doing things like turning off technology for a few hours or shutting off air conditioning or the lights when they aren’t needed are great contributions to conserve energy.

• The campus allocated $160,000 recurring to fund two Pipefitter FTEs to replace steam traps.  Subsequently, the Maintenance Division has added an additional two FTEs to the efforts.  
• Ideally, steam traps will be replaced every five years, on average.
• The SSC contributed $215,000 toward steam reduction at the Library – via PRVs, steam traps and controls.
• The DCEO Boiler Grant is available to further support these efforts.

The iCAP recommends removal of 25 percent of CFHs on campus over the first five years resulting in a total removal of 432 CFHs for a theoretical annual savings $1.62 million dollars and reduction in CFH-produced carbon emissions by 25 percent annually.

The University should continue their current approach of upgrading chemical fume hood exhaust systems.  The iCAP called for converting all existing constant air volume chemical fume hoods to variable air volume chemical fume hoods with energy recovery.  The University’s current approach of reducing total building air change rates to be in-line with current recommendations from various regulatory agencies and standards publishers, and conducting thorough life cycle analyses of each potential exhaust system allows adoption of the best solution for each laboratory building. 

The campus uses thousands of pipes to distribute steam, hot water, and condensate to campus buildings.  Many of these pipes lack proper insulation.  The Maintenance Division has funded two full time insulators to continuously insulate pipes of all types throughout campus.

The ECE Building acheived LEED platinum certification in November 2019, and it is striving for a net-zero energy certification. From a vast array of photovoltaic cells, to a chilled beam system to cool and heat the classroom tower, ECE wil accomplish a major campus addition with maximum space and minimal carbon footprint.

Excerpt from the ECE building website:

Shades reduce heat from the sun, and thereby reduce the energy needs for temperature control.  These shades replace the need for seasonal soaping of the windows.  Cost avoidance accrues to the department.  This project was funded by the Student Sustainability Committee.

The Erosion Control and Green Infrastructure Conference will take place 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on July 12, 2019 at the I Hotel and Conference Center. This one-day conference will bring together designers, contractors and other professionals to explore and advance the use of erosion control and green infrastructure in municipal management. Breakfast and lunch will be provided and a tour of the U of I Erosion Control Research & Training Center is also being offered.

Efficiently Deliverying Green Energy at the Vet Med Complex

The Facilities and Services team has partnered with Energy Systems Group (ESG) a leading energy services provider, to develop a comprehensive energy savings performance contract (ESCO) project at the Veterinary Medicine Complex.

The Vet Med ESCO project will provide innovative energy efficiency and technology, demonstrable energy savings, and long-term financing solutions for modernization of our facilities and energy infrastructure. The expected energy reduction for this project is 40 percent.