{"id":1123,"date":"2023-09-20T11:01:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T16:01:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/?page_id=1123"},"modified":"2023-10-06T12:07:27","modified_gmt":"2023-10-06T17:07:27","slug":"leading-energy-savings-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.winona.edu\/about\/news-events\/leading-energy-savings-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading Energy Savings & Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\nAbout<\/a> <\/span> Page<\/span>\n<\/div><\/div>\n
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Leading Energy Savings & Sustainability<\/h1>
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LESS is truly more with the Leading Energy Savings & Sustainability initiative.<\/p>\n

This project is part of what makes WSU the most energy efficient university in the Minnesota State System.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

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WSU successfully implemented a $12 million campus-wide paid from savings energy conservation project that:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • dramatically improves campus energy and water efficiency<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • addressed $7.5 million in deferred maintenance<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • reduces WSU\u2019s environmental impact<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • improves educational experiences<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • increases comfort and improves aesthetics<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • will save $26 million over the project\u2019s lifetime <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    This project also features the largest solar energy system on any Minnesota State campus.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n \n

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    Project Impact<\/div>\n
    The LESS project modernizes and improves facilities and removes $7.5 million of deferred maintenance from the facilities project backlog as a result.<\/div>\n \n\n

    It also reduces maintenance expenditures with $26 million cumulative savings anticipated over the 25-year project lifespan. <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n

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    \n \"Construction\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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    23.8%<\/div>\n
    Utility Cost Savings<\/div>\n
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    25.4%<\/div>\n
    Annual Carbon Emissions Reduction<\/div>\n
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    16.4% <\/div>\n
    Water Savings in Gallons<\/div>\n
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    This project made significant changes that affect nearly every part of campus. The profound impact is due to these renovations. <\/p>\n\n\n

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    Light Fixtures<\/div>\n

    Over 20,000 light fixtures were upgraded with more efficient LED technology and advanced controls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    Solar Panels<\/div>\n

    The solar panels located on 6 rooftops and 4 carports will produce enough electricity to power 170 average homes a year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    Water Fixtures<\/div>\n

    The project replaced every toilet, shower head, urinal, and faucet aerator with modern water saving fixtures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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    Irrigation System<\/div>\n

    Our new irrigation system uses smart controls that will adjust sprinklers by using real time weather data to calibrate irrigation cycles based on past, current, and forecasted precipitation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n

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    Renewable Energy Impact<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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    Solar Energy Production<\/div>\n
    WSU now has 4 solar carports in the Integrated Wellness Center parking lot.\u00a0<\/div>\n \n\n

    There are also 6 rooftop solar PV installations at Haake Hall, Helble Hall, Integrated Wellness Center, Kirkland Hall, McCown Gym and Wabasha Recreation Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    These solar panels provide: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • 1.4 MW total solar PV capacity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Combined solar PV systems will produce 1,694,845 kWh of renewable energy per year <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 9.6% of WSU\u2019s annual electricity consumption will be met by on-site solar PV<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n
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      \n \"The\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

      Energy & Water Savings<\/h3>\n\n\n
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      Electricity<\/div>\n

      4,975,121 kWh per year<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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      Natural Gas<\/div>\n

      225,809 Therms per year<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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      Water<\/div>\n

      9,816,000 Gallons per year<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n

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      Community Benefits<\/div>\n
      This project not only has benefits for our environment, but also our campus and local community.\u00a0<\/div>\n \n\n

      It improves finances, learning opportunities, and even community job opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • Largest Guaranteed Energy Savings Program project in the 9-year history of the program<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Largest Minnesota State campus solar project at 1.4 MW<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • First rooftop solar variance on a Minnesota State campus <\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Makes WSU the most efficient Minnesota State university on a cost\/square foot basis<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Construction provides jobs that contribute money back to the community, with preference toward hiring construction businesses owned by women, veterans, and people of minority populations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Solar provides interdisciplinary learning opportunities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<\/div>\n
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        Financing Strategy<\/div>\n
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        Project financed on a paid-from-savings basis through a lease purchase agreement. These annual lease payments are structured to be less than the annual guaranteed savings.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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        There is no cash down for WSU. Plus, the project contractor guarantees annual savings and is responsible for any shortfall\u2014 meaning there is no risk to WSU. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The self-funding timeframe is 18 years, and all savings go to WSU after this point.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n \n

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        10 Energy & Sustainability Areas of Impact<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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