University achieves energy reduction goal

UNC Charlotte received a certificate of recognition during the Appalachian Energy Summit (AES) in recognition of its commitment and achievement to reduce campus energy consumption by 30 percent.

In 2003, state agencies were given an ambitious 30 percent energy reduction mandate to achieve by 2015. Throughout this time, Facilities Management has worked on ways to reduce energy while also meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding campus. New lighting and air conditioning controls contributed greatly to the University’s ability to meet the reduction. Notably among the more significant efforts has been the designed efficiencies built into the renovations and new construction across campus.

Tony Schallert, University energy manager, who has lead the charge to assess and report successes of the energy reduction plan, was presented the award by Len Hoey of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

“Energy conservation is a team effort,” Schallert said. “Everyone from the maintenance crew to capital project designers play an important role to incorporate and maintain energy efficient innovations.” As a result of this team effort, university energy costs have been reduced by $5 million within this past year alone.

In addition to this award, the University was also lauded as the largest university in the UNC System to reach this benchmark.

As an additional measure to this success, the university hopes to achieve an additional 10 percent energy reduction by 2025.

Now in its fifth year, the AES is an annual energy leadership gathering presented by Appalachian State University.

Tony Schallert, energy manger, holds the certificate of recognition.