Trane to Deliver Energy-Saving Upgrades at Northern Illinois University
Trane – by Trane Technologies – is partnering with Northern Illinois University (NIU) on a campus-wide energy-saving infrastructure programme in DeKalb, Illinois. The initiative aims to significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions across the university's facilities. The 18-month project will see Trane and NIU upgrade the DeKalb campus with energy-saving solutions.
The upgrades include:
- LED lighting
- Water conservation measures
- Building weatherisation improvements
- Solar Photovoltaic installations at multiple locations
- EV charging stations
- Thermal Energy Storage for cooling
- High-efficiency heating and cooling system upgrades
- Smart HVAC building controls
This project aligns with NIU's comprehensive Sustainability and Climate Action Plan, established in 2023. Campus improvements will have an annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing 6,552 cars from the road or planting 455,169 trees according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. NIU anticipates a 26% reduction in energy consumption and an 11% reduction in emissions as a result of these changes.
The updates are funded through a combination of federal, state, utility, energy, and operational savings. The funding mechanism utilises Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC). By leveraging ESPC, this budget-neutral approach will enable progress, allowing NIU to reinvest capital against other priorities that align with its vision of being a regional and national model for sustainability.
In collaboration with Trane, we are excited and thrilled to be pursuing a greener future for Northern Illinois University, our community, and our world, NIU President Lisa C. Freeman said. NIU already plays critical roles in education and research related to sustainability, but this effort demonstrates our commitment to modelling sustainable behaviour and environmental stewardship.
The scale of this project at NIU positions Trane as a comprehensive solution provider for large institutional clients. No doubt facility managers will be watching with interest to see if comprehensive upgrades are the right approach when addressing ageing infrastructure.
