By Chuck McGinnis, Performance Infrastructure™ Vice President of Sales, Johnson Controls

For the University of North Dakota (UND), providing a comfortable environment for students and staff during even the coldest winters is crucial. But after 65 years, its coal-powered steam plant was no longer up to the task, requiring specially-made new parts to remain functional. Even still, it suffered breakdowns that increased in frequency within the past few years. Because of this, UND was ready to innovate and invest in clean energy solutions.

Over the past two years I’ve had the privilege of working closely with experts from Johnson Controls, UND and the local community to remove the old plant and design, build and optimize a cutting-edge natural gas plant on a different site on campus. Recently, we had the opportunity to officially celebrate this accomplishment with a ribbon cutting, presented over a livestream and in adherence to all local COVID-19 guidelines. Couldn’t join us? You can view the full livestream here.

At this celebratory event, the UND president, along with local and state legislative leaders, made it clear that the university’s vision for clean, high-efficiency energy to power its campus had been realized. The new plant is guaranteed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, and truly leads the way in higher education campus sustainability. In recognition of the groundbreaking nature of the project, I was proud to present the 2020 Sustainability Innovation award from APPA during this event.

This project was absolutely made possible through the unique collaboration between the university and Johnson Controls. It is an example of what a public entity and a private one can accomplish through industry-leading innovation. Secured through a 40-year public-private partnership (P3), the new plant was entirely funded by the university’s existing budget, without costing taxpayers a dime. And now, the natural gas plant is expected to deliver more than a million dollars in savings.

The resulting natural gas plant is reliable, efficient and uniquely innovative. With a computerized boiler management system, state-of-the-art control room and automated operations, UND’s new plant will streamline internal operations while serving the entire campus and local community cleanly. UND is now prepared to reach its sustainability goals while ensuring its buildings’ occupants remain comfortable year-round.

The new plant’s ribbon-cutting event was the culmination of two years of collaboration and innovation. I am eager to see how UND continues to innovate, and hopeful that the success of this project will inspire other universities’ own sustainable transformations.

To learn more about the University of North Dakota’s efficiency mission, and the creation of its new natural gas plant, check out this press release or view the livestream here.