A recent article published in Plant Engineering discussing the key components of electrical and power systems in university and college campus buildings made for an interesting read. The interview between Robert Garra, VP of electrical engineering at Cannon Design, Randy Hassler, Principle, McClure Engineering and Andrew Slater, Electrical Engineer at HGA Architects and Engineers debated common problems associated with the planning, building and installation of power systems in university and college buildings.
Robert Garra points out that balancing the need for reliable power with the desire for efficiency and sustainability can be difficult to juggle. As a company with a long history of providing eco-friendly, sustainable services to colleges worldwide, we are familiar with how finding green alternatives can be a challenge. Especially when trying to avoid periods of downtime and being mindful of public safety.
Randy Hassler notes that campus buildings are often designed with between a 50-100 year life span and designing for routine maintenance with end-of-life replacements should be considered. The problem with this however is that often, these routine problems can prove to be costly and time consuming so finding an energy efficient alternative that will save money and time over long periods is a must.
Over the years we’ve worked with a number of colleges across North America and one of the most common concerns on campus is how to save dollars whilst also limiting the impact on the environment and not compromising on quality. In our experience, higher education facilities can reduce carbon emissions by employing practical and efficient solutions. For instance, as Garra observes in the interview, encouraging collaboration with end users or using smarter systems to maximize efficiency and reduce unnecessary waste.
If you’d like to learn more about our sustainability efforts and asset management services, then visit our website here.
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