Bernhard, Johnson Controls Work with University on Upgrades
UNO’s 200-acre lakefront campus will see $27 million of upfront energy infrastructure and building improvements deployed in the first two years of the partnership. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORELANS
Louisiana Energy Partners (LAEP), a partnership between Bernhard LLC and Johnson Controls Inc., and the University of New Orleans (UNO) announced a 25-year Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership to renew UNO’s campus energy infrastructure, reduce campus GHG emissions, and provide additional capital to advance UNO’s core academic and research mission. Within UNO’s existing operating budget, the University will generate $2.1 million of annual utility cost savings while addressing nearly $9 million of deferred maintenance during the lifetime of the partnership.
“We are thrilled to partner with LAEP to bolster our energy infrastructure and provide the most sustainable campus for future generations of Privateers,” said UNO president John Nicklow. “The upgrades our campus will receive are near-term solutions that embrace our goals of being more sustainable and proactive in combating climate change and simultaneously create a more comfortable and reliable environment for students and employees. A more sustainable campus and the infrastructure upgrades will also boost capabilities and add breadth to our nationally-recognized education and research programs. Students and faculty researchers will have the opportunity to learn and improve understanding of sustainable energy practices through this partnership.”
UNO’s 200-acre lakefront campus in New Orleans will see $27 million of upfront energy infrastructure and building improvements deployed within the first 24 months of the partnership. These improvements include building assets including air handling systems and retro-commissioning of building automation systems. In addition, UNO will transfer operations and maintenance risk of their campus energy infrastructure to Bernhard’s team of experts.
The foundation of this EaaS partnership was built on dramatically enhancing the sustainability efforts of the University. Bernhard will utilize cutting-edge measurement and verification through the Bernhard Connect platform for accurate monitoring of energy savings to ensure savings are sustained throughout the lifetime of the contract. Through the campus improvements to be completed early in the project, LAEP estimates a 27% reduction of electricity consumption, 18% less water consumption, and 19% less natural gas consumption.
"With this holistic infrastructure upgrade, UNO has demonstrated its commitment to the health and wellness of its community as well as the planet,” said Jason Fritsche, business development leader at Johnson Controls. “In pursuing campus-wide energy efficiency through this project, UNO will see benefits to its bottom line all while creating a healthier and more productive campus environment for generations to come.”
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