KU announces contract with energy audit firm to improve efficiency, save costs

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas has brought in energy auditors as part of a plan to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating expenses.

KU hired CMS Viron Energy Services Co. of Overland Park to audit the Lawrence and Overland Park campuses for energy usage. A report on their findings and recommendations for energy conservation improvements is expected in early April.

The audit covers more than 5.9 million gross square feet in all buildings, including the steam heating system and power plants. Auditors also will evaluate the design of new facilities and pending renovation projects to ensure that energy efficiency is an integral part of the design.

Not affected at this time is student housing, which is considering a separate contract for an energy efficiency audit.

KU's goal is to reduce its annual energy usage from about $1.40 per gross square foot to $1 per gross square foot. The audit will help determine whether the $1 target is reasonable.

"This really has the potential to identify a substantial savings for us," said Rodger Oroke, director of campus conservation improvement programs. "This unique approach will enable KU to improve energy efficiency through the replacement of many aged and inefficient equipment items.

"Our list of deferred maintenance needs continues to go unfunded, and through this program, at least, a portion of the deferred equipment can be replaced with more efficient equipment and controls," Oroke said.

This approach was made possible by the 2000 Kansas Legislature when it approved "performance contracting," a financial concept for energy conservation improvements for all state agencies. Through performance contracting, energy efficiency improvements can be funded through the energy savings they produce.

"The performance contracting process that the University of Kansas is using will allow the University to repair, upgrade and modernize their facilities creating a more comfortable learning environment for staff and students," said Charlie Johnson, CMS Viron sales manager. "The project will be entirely funded by guaranteed energy savings."

Under the contract, CMS Viron will guarantee that the savings generated by the energy conservation measures it recommends and implements will be sufficient to meet the annual debt repayment.

During the audit phase, under way since December, CMS Viron engineers are working with Facilities Operations and the Design and Construction Management office to survey existing systems and equipment. A crew from Retro-Tech Systems, a subcontractor to CMS Viron, will conduct the lighting audit.

The energy audit follows on the heels of a successful energy conservation effort led by Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost David Shulenburger in 2000-2001.

In a year of record heat and cold matched by soaring natural gas prices, Shulenburger urged employees to adopt conservation measures, such as turning off unnecessary lights and computers and setting thermostats higher or lower depending on the season. The result was a $335,000 savings.

Shulenburger has urged employees to continue the conservation measures this winter.

CMS Viron is an engineering-based energy services company specializing in energy performance contracting and turnkey energy efficiency projects.