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Bowie State

Historic University Advances Savings with Innovative Energy Technology

Bowie State University helps Maryland reach 15 percent energy reduction target while creating positive cash flow.

Bowie State University is one of the oldest Historically Black Universities in the country, with a rich history dating back to 1865. Unfortunately, some of its heating and cooling equipment had a long history as well, resulting in comfort issues for students and staff, along with high operating costs and poor energy efficiency. When Governor Martin O’Malley’s “EmPOWER Maryland” initiative called for state buildings to reduce energy consumption by 15 percent by 2015, Bowie State called on a trusted energy efficiency partner to help reach its ambitious goals.

The state-of-the-art technology designed and installed by Johnson Controls not only reduces energy consumption, it also will offset the cost of the improvements through lower utility bills and result in an expected positive cash flow of more than $1.2 million when the contract expires.

Energy Savings Produce a Profit

Bowie State has long been focused on becoming a leader in environmental sustainability and climate neutrality, but its aging equipment was becoming inefficient and expensive to operate. Johnson Controls conducted a detailed audit of the campus and recommended improvements at 19 buildings. The upgrades, which include equipment upgrades and renewable energy, will help the university reduce energy and water costs, address deferred maintenance issues and, above all, improve comfort for students, faculty and staff. New equipment will also provide staff with the technology needed to monitor and control the facilities more efficiently.

Through a unique program of Energy Performance Contracting, the school will be able to finance the $4.1 million in improvements through lower utility bills over a 14-year contract term. If actual energy savings exceed the amount guaranteed by Johnson Controls, the school will receive a check for the difference. And, at the end of the contract, Bowie State is expected to realize a positive cash flow of $1,235,338 in ongoing energy savings.

Improvements and innovations include:

  • Installation of a new Johnson Controls Metasys® building management system for more precise control of temperature, airflow, humidity and other comfort factors
  • Energy efficient lighting that turns off when spaces are unoccupied
  • Water conservation devices, including low-flow toilets and faucet aerators
  • Tighter insulation of the building envelope
  • Power conservation of computers, vending machine and other devices
  • Electric sub-metering 
  •  HVAC equipment upgrades

Perhaps the most innovative improvements are two solar power installations. A solar heating system was installed on the school’s swimming pool, reducing fossil fuel consumption and costs and extending the existing boiler’s life. In the maintenance building warehouse, two deteriorated skylights were replaced with solar tracking skylights that move continuously to follow the sun. Aligning to the exact position of the sun, the skylights feature mirrors that reflect light down into the space, eliminating the need to use costly supplementary lighting.

A Green Education

As part of Bowie State’s performance contracting program, Johnson Controls launched a major awareness campaign to provide strategies for the university’s 1,400+ resident students to reduce energy usage and for the entire student body and staff to engage in sustainability initiatives. The program includes:

  • Development of a Sustainability Advisory Board to facilitate lectures, internships and sharing best practices
  • Representation by Johnson Controls on the university’s Climate Commitment Coordinating Committee
  • Training for Resident Directors and Eco Reps
  • A monthly poster series reinforcing energy conservation and prizes for a Recycle Mania contest
  • A grant from Johnson Controls’ community involvement program, Blue Sky Involve, to fund mobile green zones on campus

    The students will be pleased to learn that Bowie State will reduce natural gas usage by 107,938 therms, water usage by 7,771,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,593 tons. That’s equal to the emissions produced by 283 cars or heating 125 homes.
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