Commercial, Energy Efficiency, GHG Emissions, Solar  -  March 6, 2023

University of New Orleans Partners to Improve Campus Infrastructure

The University of New Orleans (UNO) announced a 25-year Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership to renew the energy infrastructure of the campus and reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions.

Louisiana Energy Partners (LAEP), a partnership between Bernhard LLC and Johnson Controls Inc. will partner with the university to generate $2.1 million of annual utility cost savings while addressing nearly $9 million of deferred maintenance during 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 in a statement. “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.”

UNO’s 200-acre campus will receive $27 million of upfront energy infrastructure and building improvements deployed within the first 24 months of the partnership. These improvements include a 1.8 MWdc solar array, renewal of the campus chilled water systems, upgrading building assets including air handling systems, efficiency improvements to lighting and building water systems, and retro-commissioning of building automation systems. 

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.