Norfolk State University Partners with Voltus for Energy Efficiency Program

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/15/25

Norfolk State University recently announced that it has selected Voltus, Inc., to implement the university’s new energy efficiency program on its campus in Norfolk, Va. According to a news release, the partnership’s goal is to reduce campus energy use by 27% by the year 2030 and support grid reliability across the state of Virginia. The saved revenue will go toward other university energy and sustainability commitments like smart technology, high-efficiency equipment, and building automation.

“We’re pioneering a holistic and sustainable lifestyle for our campus community to show what’s possible for a modern, energy-efficient university,” said NSU’s Director of Energy and Sustainability, Richard E. Martin. “Voltus makes that possible with their expertise in the PJM market and technology that helps us earn the most with our participation. The customer service and attentiveness Voltus provides make this program easy and most importantly, successful, to the benefit of our entire campus community. This program helps us improve the efficiency of their campus operations with the added benefit of supporting the surrounding community.”

Voltus, operator of a leading distributed energy resource (DER) software platform and virtual power plant (VPP), will use high-efficiency equipment, automated setpoints, and smart scheduling to shift campus buildings’ equipment and electrical use during peak use periods. According to the news release, other program benefits include supporting the local community by preventing grid blackouts, advance notice of potential power shutoffs, and access to real-time data to monitor energy usage.

“We’re thrilled to provide the platform for this precedent-setting initiative at NSU,” said Voltus Vice President of Sales, Sam Scuilli. “University leadership came to us with a vision of a sustainable, energy-efficient campus that leads by example, and our demand response program is a crucial part of that. Our platform simplifies the preparation for and executing of DR events so faculty and students won’t notice the curtailment as it’s happening. What they will notice are the incredible environmental and economic benefits of this program - all of which are detailed in our platform.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at mjones@1105media.com.

Featured

  • Clemson to Launch North America’s Largest College Campus Smart Parking Program

    Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., recently announced a partnership with smart parking and curbside management solutions provider eleven-x to launch a smart parking initiative for its population of 29,000 students and faculty, according to a news release.

  • Illinois Elementary School Breaks Ground on Campus Expansion

    Heather Hill Elementary School, part of Flossmoor School District 161 in Palatine, Ill., recently broke ground on a new addition to the school focused on student support and security, according to a news release. The district partnered with Wold Architects & Engineers for the expansion as part of a longer-term facility planning and modernization initiative.

  • Abstract colorful arrows in front of a contemporary university building

    Spaces4Learning 2025 Trends in Higher Education

    With 2025 well underway, it’s time to take a look at some broader trends submitted by you, our Spaces4Learning readership. We asked for your thoughts on topics like classroom design, health & safety, materials & construction, and technology in both K–12 and higher-education environments. Below is a roundup of 2025 trends in higher education from the experts in the trenches.

  • East Carolina University Selects Architect for $60M Residence Hall Renovations

    East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., recently announced that it has selected the KWK/Jenkins Peer Architects (JPA) team, collaborating with INTREPID Architecture, to design renovations for two of its residence halls, according to a news release.