University of Houston System Partners with TXU Energy to Power All System Facilities

The University of Houston System has entered into a multi-year partnership with TXU Energy to provide electricity across the entire system, including its university campuses and instructional sites as well as its athletic facilities. The agreement includes investments in UH scholarships as well as energy-efficiency projects.

TXU Energy will fund $370,000 in UH scholarships over 10 years, the company said, including "endowed scholarships and funding for programs focused on energy and STEM education." In addition, the university will receive "Greenback dollar" rebates for making energy-efficient improvements at its facilities. "These dollars can fund new or existing energy efficiency projects and come with expert guidance on implementation," the company explained.

"When considering the University of Houston's size and the scope of world-class facilities, labs, and research centers that need power, only a provider with a strong history of operational excellence is up to the task," said Gabe Castro, senior vice president of business markets for TXU Energy, in a statement. "We approached this partnership first with the promise of delivering safe, reliable electricity. As we learned more, our market insight and expertise allowed us to create a custom solution that aligns with the university's short and long-term goals."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • URI Cuts Underwater Ribbon on New Ocean Robotics Laboratory

    The University of Rhode Island recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new Ocean Robotics Laboratory at its Narragansett Bay Campus, according to a news release. Two students used a remotely operated vehicle to cut an underwater ribbon in a 30-by-20-foot test tank.

  • Montclair State University Starts Construction on $120M STEM Building

    Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., recently broke ground on a new $120-million Interdisciplinary Science Building, according to university news. The university partnered with HoK Architects for the project’s design, and it’s scheduled to open in time for the 2028–29 academic year.

  • Wold Completes Geothermal Projects at Two Minnesota Schools

    Wold Architects & Engineers recently announced that it has completed two geothermal expansion projects for Mounds View Public Schools in Shoreview, Minn., according to a news release. The work at Highview Middle School and Irondale High School serves the district’s long-term goal of reducing energy costs and dependency on non-renewable fuel sources, as well as improving building performance.

  • University of Pennsylvania Releases Design of Future Physical Sciences Building

    The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia, Penn., recently released renderings of an upcoming 350,000-square-foot Physical Sciences Building, according to news release. The facility was designed by CO Architects and will unite the university’s departments of Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental Science.