The University of Cincinnati does it again, winning a second Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency in the last 4 years. This time the award recognizes its innovation in managing its cooling load. UC's efforts successfully decreased their peak load, reduced overall consumption by 9 million kWh and resulted in significantly lower electricity costs. UC has been very ambitious in its efforts to be energy efficient. The University recognizes efficiency makes good business sense, especially when it desires to be protective of the environment even while it prioritizes saving money.
Environmental benefits are significant, too.
Reduced energy use translates into reduced emissions associated with the generation of electricity. Due to this project, the emissions of approximately 70,700 pounds of nitrogen oxide, 19.4 million pounds of carbon dioxide, and 180,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide are avoided e ach year. The environmental benefits and monetary savings result from the combined use of natural gas-fueled engine driven chillers and stored chilled water. Chilled water is produced during off-peak hours and stored in an underground storage tank for future use. As the need for cooling occurs, chilled water is dispersed from the tank into the campus distribution system.