Adelphi University saves $1.6 million annually with ambitious energy efficiency initiative with Ecosystem

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Adelphi University has embarked on an ambitious asset renewal and energy efficiency project. Ecosystem Energy Services, (“Ecosystem”), is the energy efficiency firm leading the project and this includes the replacement of 4 boilers, the installation of a 1.99 MW combined heat and power plant, and a major upgrade of the ventilation system in the Science Building. Construction has already begun and will continue to the end of 2016 on the 1.1 million square foot campus in Garden City, NY.

Adelphi University has a long history of sustainability initiatives and is a leader in energy conservation and recycling. The campus uses 100% green power and has on-site solar PV generation. Currently, the University is also running the Fresh Air Adelphi campaign which includes electric vehicle charging stations and a campus rideshare program. 

For the project, Ecosystem is guaranteeing $1.6 million in annual energy savings and $2.5 million in incentives. In addition to significant financial savings, the University’s greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 4,600 metric tons per year. The project costs $13.5 million and is expected to be paid back in 8 years.

“Adelphi University is excited to have Ecosystem on board. This partnership with Ecosystem represents the culmination of more than five years of research and development of a project that will bring dramatic improvement to several of our major mechanical systems while further increasing our position as a leader in the area of sustainability,” said Robert Shipley, associate director of the Facilities Management Department and campus sustainability coordinator at Adelphi University.

 “This project clearly illustrates Adelphi University’s commitment to sustainability. At Ecosystem, we’ve developed our business on the principle that the environment is good for the economy, and this project aligns the values of both organizations,” said André Rochette, Ecosystem’s founding president and CEO.

Timothy P. Burton, Adelphi University senior vice president and treasurer and Michael Hoke, First American Education Finance assistant vice president

About Ecosystem

Ecosystem improves energy infrastructures to deliver buildings that are high performance, better for the environment, and less expensive to operate. Nearly 900 buildings have been enhanced through deep energy retrofits. Ecosystem’s clients include more than half the school boards in the province of Quebec and numerous university hospitals in Canada and the United States. Ecosystem’s projects have generated more than $185 million in cumulative savings.

Ecosystem studies building energy infrastructures as a whole, looking at all systems to see how they interact and how they could generate, distribute, and use energy at peak efficiency. The measures that are best adapted for each building are designed, implemented, and optimized in a customized deep energy retrofit.

Ecosystem has received numerous awards, including the AEE Energy Project of the Year Award 2014 & 2013 for an energy project at Mount Sinai Beth Israel New York. Founded in 1993, Ecosystem now has offices in New York City, Toronto, Quebec City, and Montreal.

For further information about Ecosystem’s approach to energy efficiency in buildings: www.ecosystem-energy.com