Feinberg Kicks Off Energy Solutions Project

In an effort to minimize the medical school’s carbon footprint and operating costs, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern University leadership recently launched a strategic partnership with NORESCO, a company that designs and implements energy efficiency and infrastructure solutions.

“Investing to reduce our energy usage will lead to savings that can be applied to projects that advance our mission areas,” says David Browdy, chief operating officer at Feinberg. “These savings – guaranteed by NORESCO – are crucial to advancing our future plans. This is a classic example of how we can do well by doing good.”

The project, now in phase one, involves a complete engineering survey of the Ward Memorial Building, Searle Medical Research Building, Morton Medical Research Building, Tarry Research and Education Building, and the Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center. NORESCO will identify areas for energy savings, provide a list of the set costs and savings for each project, and then bid out the work to contractors for implementation.

“Prior to the implementation phase, Feinberg has the final approval on any identified projects, regardless of whether they meet our return-on-investment threshold requirements,” says Jim McKinney, staff engineer for Northwestern University Facilities Management Operations, the group that initiated the NORESCO project. “That said, the energy savings are guaranteed. It’s really a win-win.”

Data collection will take several months and involves a review of the buildings’ utility bills and energy consumption for a multi-year period. NORESCO is expected to offer a proposal in January 2012, outlining building performance and energy cost-savings measures.

The duration of phase two will depend on what projects are identified and selected for implementation. Phase three includes measurement and verification of the energy and cost savings.

“Many of the University’s buildings were constructed 50 to 90 years ago. Although modern HVAC systems are in place, and some buildings are less than 10 years old, we must evaluate opportunities to improve our efficiency,” says McKinney. “Ultimately, the University recognizes that it’s necessary to pursue ways to decrease or minimize our existing carbon footprint as our campus expands.”