New academic building projected to be 28 percent more energy efficient than New York State energy code requires
New York, NY – January 31, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced today that it has awarded D’Youville College in Buffalo $155,000 to support energy efficiency upgrades to its six-story, mixed-use academic facility.
The project is expected to save D’Youville nearly $73,500 annually through the reduction of 4,389 million Btu of natural gas and 403,668 kilowatt hours of electricity. The savings are enough to meet the gas and electricity needs of 60 homes annually.
“As academic institutions look for opportunities to reduce costs, D’Youville is an example of how a commitment to energy efficiency can decrease energy consumption and costs as well as have a positive impact on the environment,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO, NYSERDA. “Governor Cuomo has made energy efficiency a priority in New York State as the state looks to provide an energy future that is reliable and affordable for all New Yorkers.”
NYSERDA’s $155,000 incentive helped D’Youville defray a portion of the implementation cost to install the energy efficiency improvements at D’Youville’s 85,000-square-foot, six-story academic facility, which consists of offices, classrooms and laboratories.
“The significant savings D’Youville will realize is extremely important to a college such as ours, and NYSERDA made the process easy to navigate. The incentive was critical to implementing the needed efficiencies,” said Donald G. Keller, D’Youville’s vice president for operations.
The new academic building is projected to be 28 percent more energy efficient than New York State energy code requires. The major energy efficiency measures include insulation, a water loop heat pump system, energy-efficient lighting and occupancy controls. A water loop heat pump system is used in buildings with simultaneous cooling and heating needs; the heat rejected by the cooling units is used to warm the zones calling for heat. Projects that incorporate lighting occupancy controls typically save 10 to 20 percent more energy than those without them.
Deanna Alterio Brennen, Niagara USA Chamber President & CEO and a recent appointee to the New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board, said, “I commend the leadership at D’Youville for making a commitment to energy efficiency measures within the college. This will improve the quality of life for its students and staff, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, by doing so, create a substantial resource of funds that the college can use elsewhere from this cost-saving measure. As a member of the WNY Regional Economic Development Council, we have made it a priority in our strategic plan to support initiatives that are a financial and environmental win for the local economy. NYSERDA has been a tremendous resource in these types of projects.”
Funding for this project is through NYSERDA’s New Construction Program (NCP), which provides technical support to design teams and financial incentives to building owners involved in the construction of new or substantially renovated structures in New York State. NCP is a first-come, first-served program available to commercial, institutional and industrial sector customers of certain utilities. NCP incentives are paid out upon project completion. The intent of the program is not only to improve energy efficiency and green building practices, but to effect a permanent transformation in the way buildings are designed and constructed throughout the state.
D’Youville is an independent Catholic College located in Buffalo. Founded by the Grey Nuns in 1908, D’Youville offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs in allied health professions, education, business and liberal arts.
Since taking office in January 2011, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has targeted the revitalization of the Buffalo and Western New York economy as a top priority that will contribute to the overall strength and vitality of New York State. The Governor’s commitment to Buffalo and Western New York is evidenced in his unprecedented $1 billion pledge to reinvigorate the city’s and region’s economy, leverage additional private sector investment and create a sustainable economy today and for generations to come. Additionally, the Governor’s creation of the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils resulted in the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council’s successful submissions in 2011 and 2012 that will bring $153.1 million in state funding to key development projects. Projects will focus on eight industry sectors that are essential to Buffalo’s future growth and development: health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, energy, higher education, professional services, agriculture, bi-national logistics and tourism.
About NYSERDA
NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975
