Chatham University
PAE-5: Climate Action Plan

Climate neutrality by 2025

Chatham has identified high-priority projects to show an actual reduction in our carbon footprint. They have been assigned a priority, based on costs, ROI and carbon reduction. #1. Enhanced Metering and Power Quality: Completed energy audit of the main campus and Eastside suggests energy management systems units could be installed in each building at a cost of $55,295 with an energy savings of 387,650 kWh and a cost savings of approximately $48,486 including demand savings. #2. Lighting Efficiency Upgrade The lighting fixtures in many campus buildings can be upgraded to T8 ballasts. Replacement high efficiency electronic ballast will cost approximately $96,800.00, with an anticipated energy savings of 616,711 kWh and a cost savings of approximately $60,999.00. This project estimate includes both demand savings and occupancy sensors. The motor controls and lighting upgrades projects would, when fully implemented, show an estimated 10% annual real reduction in emissions, within a maximum 4-year ROI time frame. #3. Photovoltaic Power - 50 kW Array on the Eastside Building The array would consist of high efficiency PV panels with array combiners, a DC/AC inverter; disconnect switches and an isolation transformer. Cost estimates: around $408,000.00 to install, yield 85,600 kWh annually at a savings of $11,124.00 per year. #4. Centralized Geothermal Co-generation – On the Shadyside campus, we plan to consolidate all heating and cooling into one centralized natural-gas fired co-generation plant. The plant’s three megawatt co-generation plant would be located in the center of the quad below grade. Co-generation units would provide electricity to upper campus grid via new connections. We are also planning for a natural gas cogeneration / geothermal system to be located under the parking lot at Eastside. Preliminary numbers show an estimated cost of $3-5 million dollars, with estimated reduction of 15,000,000 kWh, about $1 million saved annually.