CTC receives Oncor incentive check for energy efficiency

Oncor recently announced it will award Central Texas College an incentive check of $81,847 for upgrading the energy efficiency of the lighting systems throughout all campus facilities and installing high-efficiency lighting and air conditioning systems in its power plant. The incentive check is part of Oncor's Take A Load Off, Texas SM Educational Facilities Program (EFP).

In addition to financial incentives, the EFP provided no-cost technical assistance to ensure the new systems offered maximum efficiency. The lighting and air conditioner installed by CTC will save nearly 950,900 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, equivalent to eliminating the annual gas emissions of about 130 passenger vehicles, according to Environmental Protection Agency calculations.

The Educational Facilities Program has helped CTC identify ways to increase efficiency and improve our buildings,” said Jim O'Brien, CTC facilities management director. “It's important we set a positive example for our students and community, and reducing our energy use is a critical step.”

The EFP worked with the college to involve personnel from all departments in the decision-making process so everyone understood the financial benefits of investing in the projects. O'Brien noted this aspect of the program is “vital because it guarantees the financial decision-makers understand the long-term advantages of utilizing the equipment and therefore can justify investing in energy-efficient upgrades.”

“We identified a real need for an energy efficiency program that specifically targets schools and colleges, especially as budgets are spread thin,” said John Toone, Oncor area manager. “By partnering with colleges to reduce energy costs, these valuable saved resources can be used for other needed projects.”

Based on total estimated annual kWh savings, the new energy-efficient lighting installed at CTC will bring a total greenhouse gas reduction of 683 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. In comparison, that is the equivalent of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions of 131 passenger vehicles, 76,816 gallons of gasoline and 88.7 homes. In addition, the newly installed energy-saving air conditioning units will save CTC approximately 265,000 kWh per year.