Pine Bluff, AR. Performance Services, a design-build energy performance contractor based out of Indianapolis, IN, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) have signed a $19.3 million energy performance contract through the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting (AEPC) Program. The project will deliver LED lighting, water, building envelope, HVAC, and controls upgrades across campus. Additionally, the campus’ chilled water loop will be optimized and re-engineered for maximum efficiency. The keystone of the project is a 321 kWh photovoltaic solar array that will rank as the largest public solar installation in Arkansas once completed. Performance Services, a design-build energy performance contractor based out of Indianapolis, IN, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) has signed a $19.3 million energy performance contract through the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting (AEPC) Program. The project will deliver LED lighting, water, building envelope, HVAC, and controls upgrades across campus. Additionally, the campus’ chilled water loop will be optimized and re-engineered for maximum efficiency. The keystone of the project is a 321 kWh photovoltaic solar array that will rank as the largest public solar installation in Arkansas once completed.
The UAPB energy performance project is the largest of its kind completed under the AEPC Program. Once completed, the project will decrease UAPB’s energy consumption by a sizeable 32%, making UAPB the first state university to meet the 30% energy reduction mandate signed into law by Act 1494 of 2009. Energy savings from these improvements are guaranteed by Performance Services to cover the costs of installation on an annual basis over 19 years.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Performance Services to make significant strides to improve our energy infrastructure. These upgrades will benefit everyone in the Golden Lion community,” said Dr. Laurence B. Alexander, chancellor of UAPB.
UAPB and Performance Services worked with the Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), administrator of the AEPC Program, to develop the project. The office offers assistance to state agencies, institutions of higher learning, municipalities and counties through its seven-step AEPC program. “This project quite demonstrably shows UAPB’s commitment to environmental sustainability and campus improvement on a large scale,” said Chet Howland, energy program manager for AEO. “Further, the economic benefits of such an undertaking cannot be understated, as we estimate the project will result in an economic impact of more than $60 million to Jefferson County and Pine Bluff while remaining budget neutral for the university.”
For more information on the Arkansas Energy Performance Contracting Program, contact Chet Howland at ho*****@ad**.us or (501) 682-7319.
About the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public comprehensive HBCU 1890 Land-Grant Institution. The University embraces its land-grant mission of providing cutting edge research, teaching, outreach, and service programs that respond to the social and economic needs of the state and region. Its mission is to promote and sustain excellent academic programs that integrate quality instruction, research, and student learning experiences responsive to the needs of a racially, culturally, and economically diverse student population. Ultimately, the University is dedicated to providing access and opportunity to academically deserving students and producing graduates who are equipped to excel through their contributions and leadership in a 21st century national and global community.
