University of Oklahoma completes energy upgrade effort

The upgraded munchie dispensers are part of a $16 million effort to reduce OU's energy consumption. The university partnered with Johnson Controls for much of the effort.

As part of the project that began in 2007, the university also improved or replaced 1,400 exit signs and 93,000 fluorescent lights and ballasts, improved the air flow systems at five buildings and insulated a metal roof.

In all, the upgrades are saving about $1.2 million a year, for a total of $30 million over 20 years, said Brian Ellis, OU's facilities management director.

“The point is that we are being a good steward of the university and are having a historical view on what we do,” Ellis said. “The difference between what we're doing here and a regular office building or a house is that we're looking at a 100-year impact on the decisions we make and what we put into these buildings. This university will be here long after you or I or anyone on this campus is gone.”

Besides energy savings, the conservation effort also has looked to lower water consumption.

As part of that effort, OU replaced faucets and toilets throughout campus with low-flow fixtures, which together save enough water to fill 24 Olympic-size swimming pools each year, Ellis said.

OU also installed smart electric meters in each building, providing Ellis' office with far more information on how much energy is used and at what time.

“We're going to start getting data in real time. That means we'll be able to see the ebb and flow of electricity usage, especially in the summertime,” Ellis said. “We'll be able to identify opportunities by watching the data to see when demand is happening. There may be certain activities that we can schedule around peak hours.