ENERGY UPDATE
OSU recognizes facilities with
$1 million in energy savings
(Thursday, 21 February 2013 20:59) - Three facilities on the Stillwater campus of OSU have reached the $1 million mark in energy savings. The buildings are the Advanced Technology Research Center, Boone Pickens Stadium and the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development.
This milestone is part of a system-wide savings of more than $22 million since OSU's Energy Conservation Program began in July 2007. Read more...
Governor Fallin, Oklahoma State, OG&E celebrate Cowboy Wind Farm,wind energy for Stillwater campus
Governor Mary Fallin is joined by (from left to right) OGE Energy Corp. Chairman, CEO and President Pete Delaney,
Blackwell Industrial Authority trustee Mike Loftis and OSU President Burns Hargis at the dedication of
the OSU Cowboy Wind Farm held Friday, Feb. 15, on the campus of OSU-Stillwater.
The wind farm, located near Blackwell, Okla., is the result of a 20-year agreement between OSU and OG&E.
OSU now receives a majority of its electricity from wind generation.
(Friday, 15 February 2013, 18:31) - Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin along with Oklahoma State University President Burns Hargis and OGE Energy Corp. Chairman, CEO and President Pete Delaney "flipped the switch" today to celebrate the use of wind energy as the main source of electricity for the OSU-Stillwater campus.
Cowboy Wind Farm, near Blackwell, Oklahoma, generates the wind energy. The 26-turbine wind farm was completed in December of 2012 and began generating electricity for the campus on Jan. 1. Read more...
Oklahoma State University ranks No. 5 on EPA's top 20 college and university list of green power purchasers
(Tuesday, 29 January 2013 17:32) - Oklahoma State University announced today it is No. 5 on the U.S. Environmental Progection Agency's (EPA's) Top 20 College & University list of the largest green power purchasers.
OSU is purchasing 110,000,000 kilowatt-hours(kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 67 pecent of the electricity use on the university's main Stillwater campus. The university is buying a utility green power product from Oklahoma Gas & Electric, switching away from traditional sources of electricity generation and to cleaner renewable energy alternatives. Read more...
OSU-OKC saves $1 million through energy conservation efforts
(August 17, Oklahoma City, OK) – OSU-Oklahoma City has saved more than $1 million through its energy conservation efforts over the last five years. The entire OSU System has saved over $20 million. These figures are the estimated savings through July 2012.
The OSU System launched its energy conservation program in 2007 through a partnership with Energy Education, founded and owned by OSU alumnus Bill Spears. Since July 2007, OSU has saved nearly $20.4 million in energy costs. The savings figure includes all five campuses in the OSU system.
“OSU-OKC has been able to preserve precious financial resources and reduce pollution in our environment,” says Patricia Ragle, OSU-OKC Emergency Management Director. “What we’ve learned over the past five years will be leveraged for an even larger impact in the upcoming years.”
The current objective of OSU-OKC’s energy management program embraces saving energy and money. In the early stages of the initiative, Ragle and the campus’ Physical Plant shared a desire to save energy. The installation of efficient lighting, automatic flush for toilets, automatic sink fixtures, and other energy-saving devices were implemented. The ability to monitor all utility accounts for proper rate structure and accurate billing is fundamental for a successful program.
Earlier this year, using OSU as a model, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law Senate Bill 1096 that directs all state agencies and higher education institutions to achieve at least 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency and conservation by the year 2020. OSU’s $20 million in energy savings represents a 19 percent improvement.
For the future of the initiative, Ragle says OSU-OKC will persist in exploring additional ways to preserve and avoid excessive use of energy.
For more information, visit www.osuokc.edu/energyed.
OSUIT rewarded for energy efficiency
TULSA, Okla., August 7, 2012 – Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee has received an incentive check for $7,321.17 from Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) for participation in PSO’s Business Solutions program.
L-R: Mark Pitcher, Stanley Teague, Jim Smith, Robert Bonnet, and Billy Hannon
Business Solutions is offered by PSO to help schools and businesses reduce operating costs by identifying and implementing energy efficiency improvement projects. The amount of the incentive is determined by the total amount of energy that will be saved through those improvements.
OSUIT earned its incentive for completing an energy efficient lighting retrofit at the school’s automotive teaching center. The new lighting will conserve an estimated 71,408 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year and is expected to reduce OSUIT’s annual electric bill by approximately $5,000.
"Over the last five years, OSU has saved more than $20 million through energy conservation efforts at its five campuses, and efficiency improvement projects and conservation at OSUIT have contributed nearly three-quarters of a million dollars toward those savings," said Stan Teague, OSUIT energy conservation manager. "A program like PSO’s Business Solutions, and the incentives it offers, goes a long way toward validating our investment in energy efficiency."
"We identified a real need for an energy efficiency program that addresses the specific needs of our larger customers, especially as budgets are spread thin," said Michael Gordon, a consumer programs coordinator for PSO. "By partnering with OSUIT to reduce energy costs, their valuable resources can be used for other needed projects."
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 530,000 customers in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. With headquarters in Tulsa, PSO has 4,321 megawatts of generating capacity and provides electricity to 230 cities and towns across a service area encompassing 30,000 square miles. News releases and other information about PSO can be found on the World Wide Web at PSOklahoma.com.
Oklahoma State University surpasses $20 million energy savings milestone
(ARDMORE, OK – JULY 27, 2012) – Oklahoma State University has saved more than $20 million through its energy conservation efforts over the last five years. The university announced the savings milestone today during the OSU/A&M Board of Regents meeting in Ardmore.
“As a publically funded land-grant institution it is important Oklahoma State University do all that it can to save money,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Because of these savings the university has been able to focus more dollars on academics and enhancing the student’s education experience.”
Hargis added, “I am so proud of the way our students and employees have embraced this program. Without their support these savings would not have been possible.”
OSU launched its energy conservation program in 2007 through a partnership with Energy Education. Since July of 2007, OSU has saved nearly $20.4 million in energy costs. The savings figure includes all five campuses in the OSU system. The Stillwater campus has seen a total savings of $16,557,372.
OSU Campus Savings -- July 2007 – July 2012
OSU Stillwater $16,557,372
OSU Tulsa $1,053,209
OSU Tulsa - CHS $1,027,622
OSU-OKC $974,107
OSUIT $735,729
Earlier this year, using OSU as a model, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed into law Senate Bill 1096 that directs all state agencies and higher education institutions to achieve at least 20 percent improvement in energy efficiency and conservation by the year 2020. OSU’s $20 million in energy savings represents a 19 percent improvement.
The energy savings has allowed five new or renovated buildings on the Stillwater campus to open without increasing the overall maintenance and operation budget. In addition, the efforts have resulted in eleven residential halls earning the Energy Star label.
A major portion of OSU’s savings has come through behavioral changes by employees and students. The university also has taken a number of steps to improve energy efficiency, including:
- installation of energy efficient lights
- energy conservation devices on soda and snack vending machines
- improved monitoring and handling of air and air quality
- sealed air leaks around windows and doors
- installed timers on drinking fountains for nighttime energy savings
- replaced obsolete steam traps and insulated pipe valves and fittings
OSU-Tulsa Energy Manager
interviewed about energy savings
In response to recent Oklahoma energy legislation, Angelyn Holmes, Energy Manager, OSU-Tulsa, was interviewed by Tulsa's KJRH/Channel 2 about the OSU Energy Conservation Program. Holmes shared that OSU-Tulsa has saved over $2 million since the program was implemented in 2007. She has helped the university reduce energy consumption by 26 percent in five years by encouraging simple behavioral changes that have led to significant savings for OSU overall.
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SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Break is a great energy savings opportunity! If you will be away from your office or campus residence, please be sure to turn off all lights and electronic equipment.
