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Pittsburg State University to Gain New Insight on Utility Costs

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Energy Solutions Professionals (ESP), an Overland Park- based energy service company, today announced that they are currently in the process of installing 147 utility submeters at Pittsburg State University. The submeters will allow the University to track electric, gas, steam and water use in every building in real time.
The $750,000 project is being funded by a grant provided under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).
The meters will record and transmit real-time data to an on-campus server, and the information will be used to monitor, track and analyze campus utility use in order to identify and quantify energy conservation efforts on campus. All data can be viewed instantaneously as well as logged and trended for historical comparisons and analysis.
Additionally, several kiosks will be installed around campus that will allow students an interactive experience with access to all of the real-time data, information and results for each building, as well as sustainability messaging and information.
“One exciting thing about this project is that not only will the university be able to track and improve utility conservation, but the kiosks will be an educational opportunity for students and others who will be able to see how simple, every-day activities can affect energy and water use,” said Tom Amershek, director of building trades and landscape maintenance.
The submetering project is just the latest of Pittsburg State’s many efforts recently to become a more energy efficient and sustainable campus. In 2011, the University completed over $4.7 million in energy-efficient improvements to 28 buildings on campus, with the largest portion devoted to a new geothermal heating/cooling system that serves McPherson Hall and Timmons Chapel, improving both energy efficiency and occupant comfort within the buildings.
The University also has an ongoing energy conservation training effort to teach students, staff and faculty how to be more energy conscious in their daily roles. The program monitors and reports the results from the training efforts, and will benefit greatly from the addition of the new submeters.
“We’re extremely excited! This project is putting Pittsburg State at the leading edge of sustainable campuses across the county,” stated Jeff Flathman, president, Energy Solutions Professionals. “There is so much you can do when you have this type of information at your fingertips. Decisions about strategic infrastructure, class scheduling, and sustainability initiatives will all be enhanced. It’s going to
Media Contact
Tim O’Kane Energy Solutions Professionals, LLC office: 913 381 2800 x102 cell: 816 878 3061 tim@energyesp.com
empower and invigorate the student body to take on causes to lessen the University’s environmental impact.”
ESP is a privately owned, Kansas based, full-service energy solutions provider that addresses all aspects of client energy use through the Energy Efficiency TriadTM—an approach that encompasses energy supply, facilities/systems, and human behavior. We remain product, vendor and commodity independent, and maintain streamlined operations in an effort to provide exceptional, cost-effective, value oriented services, or what we like to call energy efficiency | simplyTM.

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