UMass Amherst Transforming 1,400-Acre Campus Into Showcase of Environmentally Impressive Initiatives

May 28, 2009

Contact:

Ed Blaguszewski 413/545-0444

AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts Amherst recently opened its state-of-the-art, $133 million Central Heating Plant. The completion of construction marks both a milestone in operation of the new facility and represents a major step in the transformation of the 1,400-acre campus into a showcase of environmentally progressive initiatives.

While UMass Amherst researchers have been developing the clean energy technologies of tomorrow, planners, engineers and other staff have been quietly making impressive progress of their own, cutting campus greenhouse gas emissions by 24 percent, or 38,396 metric tons, since fiscal 2004.

According to Craig Ruberti, who chairs the campus’ Environmental Performance Advisory Committee (EPAC), greenhouse gases are expected to decrease by about 6 percent in the coming year as the Central Heating Plant increases capacity. The facility, which is replacing a coal-fired plant built more than 80 years ago, relies on natural gas and diesel for fuel and is capable of generating both steam and electricity for campus use.

Cutting Energy Consumption

Along with reducing greenhouse gases, UMass Amherst has also cut energy consumption by 21 percent over the past four years, according to data compiled by EPAC. “Energy conservation has had a good impact,” says Ruberti.

Four years ago, the campus borrowed funding to underwrite a 10-year, $42.7 million energy services agreement with Johnson Controls, Inc., which conducted an energy audit of campus facilities and recommended a range of measures that are guaranteed to save nearly $6.3 million per year.

The 53 projects included the installation of a $2.6 million electrical generator at the power plant and an effluent filter allowing the campus to reuse wastewater. In addition, 117,000 light bulbs were replaced along with light ballasts, toilets and other plumbing fixtures. Aerial infrared scans were used to help identify leaking underground steam lines.

As a result, the campus has reduced its consumption of steam by 24 percent, water by 43 percent and electricity by 9 percent since 2002. Those savings were realized at the same time that the campus added four new residence halls with 860 beds. In addition, all campus buildings now have meters to measure electric consumption and several revenue-based campus departments are being offered rebates if they can reduce their utility costs. Auxiliary services has already cut usage by 10 percent, says Patrick Daly, director of physical plant.

Once the electrical turbine is moved from the old power plant to the CHP, says Daly, the campus will be capable of producing 80 percent of its total electrical load. The use of photovoltaic technology, already in place at two campus sites, may be expanded as well.

Daly said other utility improvements being studied include the installation of a two-megawatt turbine and the possible use of a biomass boiler at the CHP. Preliminary feasibility studies suggest the boiler, which would burn waste wood, could pay for itself in less than five years. Occupancy sensors, additional steam line replacements, maximizing temperature controls and the development of a biodiesel plant are also under consideration, he said.

Sustainability Initiatives

On the sustainability front, Daly said 56 percent of the campus’ solid waste is being recycled, saving $288,000 in disposal fees.

Joyce Hatch, vice chancellor for administration and finance, says many of the new building projects are close to meeting the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. The proposed new police station is expected to be the first campus structure to qualify for LEED certification. The campus is also forming an advisory group on green building policies.

Green cleaning programs have been introduced, says Hatch, and the campus has implemented a chemical inventory system to reduce storage and track supplies.

Dining Services is supporting sustainability by purchasing 20 percent of its produce from local growers, says Hatch, an effort that recently earned the department a state award.

Ruberti says EPAC is involved in assessing cost effective environmental policies, capturing and tracking data, advising the administration and developing a 10-year climate action plan for the campus.

EPAC is promoting student awareness of green activities on campus through “eco-representatives” in eight first-year student residence halls, said Ruberti. The committee is also planning outreach to faculty and staff and working with two colleges to develop model incentive programs to promote conservation and sustainability.

#179-09

E-mail story to a friend Printer-friendly version