Texas A&M University is saving green by going green.
The flagship campus is making an effort to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible in it's own way, said Utilities and Energy Management Director Jim Riley.
"There's not a direct link to what we're doing at Texas A&M, but there's a lot things that we have done to reduce consumption and operate more efficiently," Riley said. "I think it's related in that sense because we're all working toward the same goal, and that's to make sure that we use energy most efficiently and that we purchase it for a fair price."
Texas A&M has been producing its own electricity since 1893, and has looked to outside markets to supply the balance that is not produced on campus.
"The goal is not to produce all of our power," Riley said. "The goal is to find the optimal point between self-generated and purchased power, so that we're always purchasing a certain amount and producing a certain amount and find the point at which it's most economical, most reliable and reduces emissions."
The Combined Heat and Power Upgrade Project will replace older equipment within the plants on campus with more efficient energy-producing equipment. The upgrade is expected to be fully operational by 2011, but demolitions of old equipment are set to begin within the next several weeks.
"It's kind of out with the old and in with the new, so it's really very exciting," Riley said. "It'll bring us into the 21st century with very modern, efficient equipment."
Within the past seven years, the flagship campus has reduced overall energy use per gross square foot on campus by 33 percent, avoided $90 million in costs as a result of energy efficiency and improved overall utility plant operating efficiency by 40 percent.
Students said they are excited about the idea of A&M seeking to use sustainable energy and improve energy efficiency.
"Personally, it's great to hear that A&M is taking these steps," said Fabiola Molina, a junior biomedical science major and co-chairwoman of the Environmental Issues Committee. "We still have a lot to do, but it's great. It's important because more and more people are realizing that we are living with finite resources, so we have to look to cleaner technology that can be used so that we're not going to one day come to a dead end and say 'now what?'"
The System is also making plans to go green and recently signed a contract with Champion Energy Services for 2012 - 2013, resulting in $4 million in savings.
The estimated value of the contract, which also includes Stephen F. Austin State University, is $37.4 million.
The flagship campus is not part of the purchase and will not be using any of the energy from Champion.
"The contract is for any member that is under the deregulation legislation," said B.J. Crain, chief business officer for the System. "Texas A&M does not fall under the deregulation, but a lot of our other campuses do, for example, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas A&M International, Texas A&M Corpus, Texas A&M Kingsville." The contract places the System at the forefront of Texas universities using renewable energy to power operations and sixth in the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership Program for Universities with the highest levels of "green" power purchases. The renewable energy included in the contract is wind power.
"It's very exciting to hear that A&M is taking steps toward cleaner energy and more sustainable resources for the school," Molina said. "I think that's a key aspect if we want to be a leader among other universities."
