Drexel University is initiating $6.6 million in energy efficiency upgrades at its Philadelphia campus. Funded by the state of Pennsylvania’s Campus Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF), the project will reduce energy consumption and emissions, upgrade five key buildings, increase comfort and safety in labs and classrooms, and lower overall operating costs. Upon completion, Drexel’s energy consumption will decrease by more than 25 percent in three science buildings and two mixed-use campus facilities which cumulatively account for more than 430,000 sf. The upgrades will cut energy consumption by approximately 19.4 billion BTUs per year.
The project will provide centralized demand-based controls for three buildings with more than 62 lab spaces at the LeBow Engineering Center, the Center for Automation Technology, and the Bossone Research Center. The controls will reduce the energy used to operate the lab spaces by more than 46 percent. The 100,000-sf Paul Peck Research Center will undergo a complete mechanical upgrade, including replacement of 11 air handling units and installation of a 300-ton chiller and new ductwork. The replacement of inefficient and expensive interim cooling equipment will save the university more than $200,000 annually and the HVAC energy load will be decreased by 35 percent. The project also includes an investment in new supply air distribution systems, VAV air handling units, lighting, and controls. These upgrades are part of a major renovation project at the 78,000-sf Nesbitt Hall.
The project team includes Blue Hill Partners, SCIenergy, and Mitsui USA, and is being delivered using SCIenergy’s unique contractual structure, the Managed Energy Service Agreement (MESA).
