Wesleyan Pipe Conversion Project Anticipates Dramatic Energy Reduction

A $5.8 million sustainability project to convert steam plumbing to hot water plumbing recently completed the first of eight phases at Wesleyan University. When the conversion is done, the Connecticut university expects energy usage to be reduced by 25 to 30 percent. The total project will require replacement of some 10,000 feet of steam pipes and is expected to cost $39.3 million. The steam infrastructure currently provides building heat and hot water for much of the campus.

Student reporting in the Wesleyan Argus quoted university President Michael Roth as saying that the infrastructure update "is the most important thing we can do to become more energy efficient." The pipe conversion offers a number of benefits, the article explained.

First, generating water heat versus steam heat is more energy-efficient. While steam needs to be generated by heating water up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, hot water pipes require water to be heated up to about 120 degrees, a "substantial decrease" in the institution's carbon footprint. Also, there's less energy and water loss with the water system over the steam system as the hot water disperses heat through buildings and then returns to the power plant.

Second, maintenance and staff injuries will be reduced. In the last three years, the story noted, the school has spent $1.35 million steam pipe system repairs; and staff have been injured by the steam as they have worked on the pipes.

Third, when the new infrastructure is in place, it could enable the university to convert from natural gas to renewable energy. Currently, according to the reporting, 88 percent of the school's energy use comes from natural gas, at least for those buildings that are on the steam piping. Once the conversion is done, the university could also replace its natural gas boilers with "ground source (geothermal) heat pumps, enabling buildings to be heated through electricity generated by solar panels and purchasing renewable energy off the grid instead of using fossil fuels.

The next phase of the project is scheduled for summer 2021. The remainder of the future work hasn't been scheduled.

The university has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2035.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

    In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions.

  • The Role of Unified Communications in Hyflex Education

    Academic technology and pedagogy have evolved in ways few could have imagined a decade ago. Today, hybrid/flexible (or hyflex) learning environments — a mix of in-person and remote instruction — are the new normal. However, as promising as it sounds, making hyflex work smoothly is no small feat.

  • Rush-Henrietta Central School District’s Sperry High School

    A New Perspective: Using Adaptive Reuse Concepts in K-12 Planning

    In the face of increasing pressures on construction timelines, budgets, and material availability, the renovation and reuse of pre-existing structures for new purposes can help bridge the gap between modern school programming and outdated school infrastructure.

  • modern college building with circuit and brain motifs

    Anthropic Introduces Claude for Education

    Anthropic has launched a version of its Claude AI assistant tailored for higher education institutions. Claude for Education "gives academic institutions secure, reliable AI access for their entire community," the company said, to enable colleges and universities to develop and implement AI-enabled approaches across teaching, learning, and administration.

Digital Edition