Energy Performance Contracting

Energy performance contracting (EPC) allows universities and other large institutions to install new or upgraded energy-efficient equipment by leveraging guaranteed future energy savings. These contracts are fulfilled by specialized, accredited firms known as energy service companies.

The university uses this process to manage complex facilities with high energy use, such as laboratories, making them energy efficient and addressing deferred maintenance issues along the way.

One of campus' first energy performance contracts was at the College of Veterinary Medicine, which resulted in an estimated cost avoidance of $1M annually. A contract for the Oak Street Chiller Plant helped campus avoid an additional $1.2M annually. The latest contract covers five College of Engineering buildings and is estimated to help campus avoid $1.5M the first year after construction alone.

Current Projects

Laboratory Facilities – EPC Project 05 (U16061)
This project is currently in the design phase, but will encompass:

• Roger Adams Laboratory
• Chemical and Life Science Laboratory
• Beckman Institutue for Advanced Science and Technology
• Natural Resources Annex
• Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
• Forbes Natural History Building

College of Engineering – EPC Project 03 (U14076) 
In July 2015, the Board of Trustees approved Energy Services Group, LLC, to implement energy conservation measures for Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, Loomis Laboratory, Engineering Sciences Building, and the Superconductivity Center. Substantial completion is expected in July 2018 on the approximately $41M project.

Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory Notable energy conservation measures

•  New Clean Room and Wet Laboratory
• Occupancy Sensors
• Steam Trap Replacement
• Centralized Water Cooling for Laboratory Equipmpent

Seitz Materials Research Lab Notable energy conservation measures

• Direct Digital Control Systems
• Air-Handling Unit Replacement
• Steam Trap Replacement
• Centralized Water Cooling for Laboratory Equipment
• Future Utility Connection Preparations

Loomis Laboratory Notable energy conservation measures

• Room Occupancy Sensors
• Pipe Insulation
• Air-Duct Cleaning
• Air-Handling Unit Replacement
• Heat Recovery System Modifications
• Exhaust Fans

Engineering Sciences Building Notable energy conservation measures

• Direct Digital Control Systems
• Variable Air Volume Boxes
• Room Occupancy Sensors
• Steam Trap Replacement
• Pipe Insulation
• Air-Handling Unit Retrofits
• High-Efficiency Fume Hoods

Superconductivity Center Notable energy conservation measures 

• Direct Digital Control Systems
• Variable Air Volume Boxes
• Room Occupancy Sensors
• Air-Handling Unit Maintenance
• Steam Trap Replacement

To learn more, visit the College of Engineering Project website.

Abbott Power Plant – EPC Project (U15057)
Under a $2.18M contract, energy services company Noresco installed cooling coils, a chiller, and pumps to make the power plant's combustion turbine operate more efficiently.