Wilfrid Laurier University (Laurier) is embarking on an initiative to transform the building portfolio into a leading example of sustainable management in the university sector and has selected Johnson Controls as their project partner. The initiative is aligned with Laurier’s Sustainability Policy, Sustainability Action Plan, Energy Management Plan, and Campus Master Plan.

Under the Energy Services Performance Contract (ESPC), this summer Johnson Controls will initially implement a series of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) valued at just over $5 million in three of Laurier’s facilities. Johnson Controls will simultaneously undertake a detailed analysis of 48 additional facilities located on both Laurier’s Waterloo and Brantford campuses. The detailed analysis will identify a series of ECMs for each facility with work expected to take place this fall in phase two of the implementation project. 

“By partnering with Johnson Controls, we’re integrating leading sustainability solutions into all areas of the university. This is the next step in an environmental and energy management strategy that has already seen great success thanks to the Sustainability program at Laurier,” said Jim Butler, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Wilfrid Laurier University. “Our primary goal is to inspire, educate and prepare students, faculty and staff to engage others in the same energy-efficient practices.”

The ECMs to be evaluated and implemented include more traditional measures such as: lighting retrofits with LED technology, low-flow water fixtures, renewable technologies, demand control ventilation, retro-commissioning, real-time metering, fuel-switching and heat recovery. In an effort to address Laurier’s mandate to go beyond the traditional energy mix at its campuses, Johnson Controls will evaluate innovative technologies and measures which will include: combined heat and power with cogeneration and tri-generation, solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, wind power, heat recovery/heat pump chillers, ground source heat pumps and energy storage coupled with micro-grid technologies and integration. This will further support Laurier’s goal of serving as a leading example of sustainable management in the university sector.

“Wilfrid Laurier University is making great strides in becoming a more energy-efficient and sustainable campus,” said Brian Del Vecchio, Senior Account Executive, Johnson Controls Building Efficiency. “This commitment with the university reiterates our mission of inspiring students and helping campuses thrive.”

Johnson Controls has implemented more than 3,000 energy performance contracts in North America alone, including many at four-year colleges and universities, technical colleges and community colleges. To learn more about Johnson Controls’ expertise with energy performance contracting, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/buildings/services-and-support/energy-and-efficiency-services/energy-performance-contracting.