Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

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 [email protected].

Featured

  • DFW-Area District Opens New Replacement Middle School

    The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District near Fort Worth, Texas, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new replacement middle school campus, according to a news release. The new facility for Wayside Middle School, originally established in 1964, was built on the site of the former district administration building and funded through Bond Proposition A in 2023.

  • South Carolina District Starts Construction on $50M Middle School Renovation

    The Aiken County Public School District in North Augusta, S.C., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $50-million renovation and expansion of North Augusta Middle School, according to a news release. The project’s funding comes from the 2024 renewal of a one-cent sales tax approved by local voters.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.