Demand Management, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions - January 17, 2025
Norfolk State Implements Energy Efficiency
Norfolk State University (NSU) entered into a partnership to implement its new energy efficiency program.
The university will work with distributed energy resource (DER) software platform and virtual power plant (VPP) operator Voltus, Inc.
The program will improve campus sustainability and generate millions in new revenue for the university, which aims to reduce energy use by 27% by 2030 and further by 2045. Revenue generated will help fund other efforts within NSU’s energy and sustainability commitment, including smart technology, building automation, and high-efficiency equipment.
“We’re pioneering a holistic and sustainable lifestyle for our campus community to show what’s possible for a modern, energy-efficient university,” said Richard E. Martin, director of energy and sustainability at NSU, in a statement. “Voltus makes that possible with their expertise in the PJM market and technology that helps us earn the most with our participation. The customer service and attentiveness Voltus provides make this program easy and most importantly, successful, to the benefit of our entire campus community. This program helps us improve the efficiency of their campus operations with the added benefit of supporting the surrounding community.”
The partnership allows Voltus to leverage high-efficiency equipment, automated set points and smart scheduling to seamlessly shift the campus’s building and equipment electricity usage during times of high demand on the energy grid.
Additional program benefits through Voltus include:
- Supporting local community by helping prevent blackouts on the grid
- Advanced notification of potential power shutoffs
- Access to real-time energy data to monitor energy usage outside of DR performance
NSU is compensated for reducing energy usage, which opens new revenue streams to be reinvested in other campus energy and sustainability projects. The program not only reduces NSU's utility costs, but exemplifies for stakeholders the benefits of demand response, sustainable practices, and the role of HBCUs in driving energy innovation.
Read These Related Articles:
Stay Up-To-Date
