Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Georgetown, ENGIE Partner to Promote Energy Conservation

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/21/21

Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C., recently announced a partnership with ENGIE North America to promote sustainability and energy conservation. ENGIE will manage the university’s utility system in an effort to help it achieve its sustainability goals.

“Protecting our environment and addressing climate change are defining issues of our time,” said Georgetown President John J. DeGioia. “At Georgetown, we are deeply committed to understanding and responding to these issues—promoting research and teaching on the environment and to taking steps as an institution to address our environmental impact.”

ENGIE will take control of the enhancement, operation, and upkeep of the university’s electrical, HVAC, and domestic water systems. Georgetown will continue to own these facilities and control decisions related to upgrades, renovations, or other improvements that require financial investment. The partnership puts the university on track to reduce the intensity of its energy use by 35% by 2030. It will also help the school become carbon neutral and water positive by 2030 and meet its goal of “100% renewable power” by 2035.

“After committing to divest from fossil fuels and launching a power purchase agreement that will ensure that two-thirds of the university’s electricity needs will be sourced through solar power, this partnership further enhances our ambitious sustainability goals,” said Georgetown University Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Geoff Chatas. “We are excited to partner with ENGIE to accelerate our progress toward aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, integrating sustainability across our functional areas, and becoming a model for how universities and other complex organizations can strengthen their sustainability efforts. We are confident that ENGIE’s expertise in clean energy management will improve the experience of students, faculty and the broader Georgetown community.”

The partnership with ENGIE is set for a 50-year duration and goes into effect on July 1. The university’s current utilities employees affected by the agreement will have the choice of working for ENGIE or continuing employment with Georgetown.

Lori Baldwin, the university’s vice president of planning, facilities management and corporate partnerships, expressed excitement about the collaboration. “Under the partnership, we will be able to immediately enhance the energy efficiency of buildings across campus through the implementation of smart metering technologies and the commencement of a geothermal project on Healy Lawn that takes advantage of stable temperatures below the earth to enhance energy efficiency,” she said.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Oklahoma Announces New Campus Master Plan

    The University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., recently announced that it will soon launch a new, comprehensive Campus Master Plan to guide the campus’ physical development during the next decade, according to a news release.

  • University of Pittsburgh to Build New Residence Hall

    The Board of Trustees from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Penn., recently approved the construction of a new residence hall for first-year students, according to university news.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.