Razors EDGE Energy Saving Improvements Under Way at University of Arkansas

The first results of the Razors EDGE energy renovation project at the University of Arkansas can be both seen and used in many of the buildings undergoing improvements. Last December the university signed a $22.9 million contract with Energy Systems Group to make energy conservation improvements to 56 buildings on campus. The project, dubbed Razors EDGE, is guaranteed to pay for itself within 13 years through energy and water savings. The “EDGE” in the project’s name is an acronym for Efficiently Delivering Green Energy.

Crews from seven subcontractors began work in August, upgrading lighting systems, placing motion sensors in individual rooms, installing water conservation devices in restrooms, upgrading or replacing heating and air conditioning systems and replacing pneumatic controls with more efficient electronic controls in the building automation systems. Much of the work has been done after-hours to minimize disruption of normal building activities during the day.

“The progress on this project has been excellent,” said Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities. “The crews have tried to be very considerate of the people who work in these buildings each day and I suspect that in some buildings most people don’t even realize the work that has been done. The entire team will continue to work diligently to communicate our work schedule well in advance to avoid surprises. Perhaps best of all, I expect we will start seeing significant energy and water savings by the end of this year.”

The lighting and sensor systems will work together to reduce the amount of electricity used in each building. The new lighting systems themselves are more energy efficient, and the motion-activated sensing devices will automatically turn off lights when a room is empty, then turn them on again when the room is in use. The sensors will also be linked to the heating and air conditioning systems to adjust the thermostat in each room by a few degrees, depending on whether the room is empty or occupied. An estimated 90 percent of the lighting and sensor systems are already in place.

The plumbing subcontractors, at the same time, have installed urinals that use less water, low-flow valves on existing commodes and water moderators on existing faucets, all designed to dramatically reduce the amount of water used each day in campus restrooms. About 95 percent of this work is completed.

Work on the heating and air conditioning systems, as well as the building automation systems, began later in the semester and is about 15 percent finished.

A more complete description of how the sensors, lighting and thermostat systems will work, along with more information about the low-flow urinal system, can be found in the Razors EDGE fall newsletter (PDF).

One phase of the Razors EDGE project is still in the engineering design phase: construction and installation of a solar-powered heater for the swimming pool in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building.

About Energy Systems Group

Energy Systems Group is an award-winning energy services company operating from 15 offices in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and southern United States. ESG’s core business of Performance Contracting uses energy efficiency, technology and long-term financing to help building owners modernize their facilities. Renewable energy solutions and assets are adding a whole new dimension to ESG’s growth. ESG is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vectren Corp. (NYSE:VVC). To learn more about ESG, visit the company’s Web site.