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Cutting overhead costs and embedding sustainability have never been more critical for colleges and universities. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this even more urgent. Enrollment is down, competing priorities are straining budgets, and pressure is growing for campuses to become sustainable. They must achieve their economic and environmental goals to stand out from their competition without diverting budget from student acquisition and retention.
Aging campus infrastructure demands high energy costs, maintenance expenses, and carbon emissions. Upgrading infrastructure will reduce operational expenses, attract students, ensure a safe environment, and free up resources for campus offerings. However, with budgets strained, many institutions don’t have the capital. Working with the right partner can help them meet their sustainability goals with financing that requires no upfront investment.
For colleges and universities, sustainability isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’ – it’s a key component enabling them to free up resources to create a better learning environment and give them a competitive edge. The stakes are high:
Higher education institutions in the U.S. spend over $6 billion on annual energy costs across 5 billion square feet of floor space
75% of applicants say that a college’s commitment to the environment would affect their decision to attend that college
In response to the challenges of COVID-19, 79% of college presidents consider the mental health of their students as the most pressing issue
While energy and infrastructure upgrades are needed to reduce overhead costs, limited budgets and conflicting priorities can restrict spending on initiatives that do not focus on students. A Sustainable Energy Services Agreement, or SESA, is an off-balance sheet financing mechanism that helps colleges and universities implement needed upgrades:
Successful sustainability efforts need to achieve the right balance between cost efficiency, resilience, and carbon reduction.
Upgrade aging energy infrastructure and minimize energy waste to increase comfort without increasing costs.
Effectively manage risks with an energy strategy that reduces exposure to grid failures and supports efficient management of campus infrastructure.
Upgraded energy technology helps to hit carbon targets – as well as enhance your reputation and attract students in a very competitive market.
We deliver a full range of technologies and services that help higher education institutions achieve their campus sustainability goals. They work together to optimize energy and infrastructure comprehensively, and we deploy them in the proper order for maximum energy savings and carbon emissions reduction.
Reduce energy consumption and costs while promoting active engagement, productivity, and safety.
Reduce water consumption, minimize wasted water, and lower operational and maintenance expenses.
Minimize heat transfer between interior and exterior spaces by addressing windows, roofing, and insulation.
Automate tasks required to efficiently and cost-effectively operate multiple systems through a single, intelligent system.
Unlock value from rooftops, parking lots, and grounds by generating renewable energy on-site to reduce energy costs.
Store energy in battery energy storage systems to reduce demand charges during peak price times.
Replace conventional heating systems with a low-carbon solution that meets environmental objectives.
Support your students and staff with on-site charging, generate revenue, and be more sustainable.
Boost resilience with a secure energy supply that keeps critical services operational at all times.
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