Virginia Tech® home

Five-Year Energy Action Plan

In 2015-16, the Facilities Department conducted a benchmarking analysis of campus buildings which identified about fifty energy intensive buildings or “energy hogs”. Representing only 35 percent of the university’s grounds, these facilities collectively account for approximately 70 percent of the utility costs associated with the operation of the main Blacksburg campus.

Following this study, a comprehensive Five-Year Energy Action Plan was developed to guide the operations of the university to achieve significant reduction in energy costs through the implementation of various policies, initiatives, and energy-retrofit projects. The program concentrates on ten “energy hog” buildings per phase, with a primary focus of completing them all in five years. More information regarding ongoing energy projects as part of this plan is available.

Under this plan, it is estimated the university can achieve an energy cost savings of approximately $6 million in the five years. The Facilities Department conducts annual reviews of the program and incorporates necessary changes into the scope to improve the performance of the program.

This plan supports the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan.  

For more information about the Five-Year Energy Action Plan, contact the Office of Energy Management at 540-231-6348.

  • Convert the North Chiller Plant to Variable Primary Flow
  • Install chilled water meters in all buildings connected to the North Chiller Plant
  • Purchase and install an Energy Management and Continuous>Commissioning Tool (EMCCSP)
  • Implement a Campus Electric Demand Management Program
  • Conduct energy audits on 10 energy intensive buildings
  • Connect ten energy intensive buildings to the EMCCSP
  • Retro-commission ten energy intensive buildings
  • Conduct energy audits for ten energy intensive buildings
  • Install steam meters in campus buildings
  • Implement energy retrofit projects based on previous year's audits
  • Connect ten energy intensive buildings to the EMCCSP
  • Retro-commission ten energy intensive buildings
  • Conduct energy audits for ten energy intensive buildings
  • Install steam meters in campus buildings
  • Implement energy retrofit projects based on previous year's audits
  • Connect ten energy intensive buildings to the EMCCSP
  • Retro-commission ten energy intensive buildings
  • Conduct energy audits for ten energy intensive buildings
  • Install steam meters in campus buildings
  • Implement energy retrofit projects based on previous year's audits
  • Connect ten energy intensive buildings to the EMCCSP
  • Retro-commission ten energy intensive buildings
  • Conduct energy audits for ten energy intensive buildings
  • Install steam meters in campus buildings
  • Implement energy retrofit projects based on previous year's audits

 

Latest Energy Action Plan news: