The University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg has completed a $36.1 million infrastructure upgrade that will improve energy efficiency on campus.
The improvements are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions on campus by 7,541 metric tons and generate a 31 percent reduction in annual energy and maintenance costs—more than $735,000 a year.
Central Missouri used energy modeling software to evaluate the benefits of potential improvements. Computer simulations recreated campus buildings; the university was able to identify 265 energy conservation measures covering 26 buildings.
Key upgrades included replacement of an outdated power plant and boiler system with a geothermal heat pump system; addition of 150 geothermal wells for high-efficiency heating and cooling of three main campus buildings; new windows and roofs on some buildings; improved air-handling systems to enhance indoor air quality; acoustical improvements for classrooms and offices; and a campus-wide building-automation system to manage energy use.
The university carried out the upgrades through a performance contract.
