University of North Carolina at Pembroke – Brian McCormick – 2011

Goals

Brian McCormick spent his summer as an EDF Climate Corps fellow at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP), where he is a MBA candidate. UNCP was founded in 1887 to provide education for Native Americans. Today it has a growing student body of 7,000 and several capital building projects.The rising student population and capital projects have increased awareness of electricity usage and costs. The university also faces a mandate from the State of North Carolina to reduce energy consumption by 30% by 2015, along with other state-owned facilities. In response, UNCP has started energy conservation measures, including HVAC setback controls, residence hall consolidation and LED exit signs.

Solutions

McCormick focused his efforts on additional ways the university could reach its energy reduction goal. After surveying the university’s buildings, he identified potential energy efficiency projects, including installation of occupancy sensors, standard temperature settings, and PC and monitor power savings measures.

Potential Impact

If all of McCormick’s projects are implemented, the university could save over $38,000 in annual energy costs, reduce electricity use by almost 700,000 kWh per year, and avoid 353 metric tons of carbon emissions annually.