U-M wins U.S. Department of Energy national award

January 5, 2007
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ANN ARBOR—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today (Oct. 24) that the University of Michigan is the recipient of one of six National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Awards.

U-M was recognized for its Revolving Energy Conservation Project Account, an innovative funding mechanism that has been in use since 1987 to pay for making energy conservation improvements in University buildings, said Bill Verge, manager of utility systems. The account supports energy-saving projects that pay for themselves within five years or less from the energy savings they create. At the end of each fiscal year, the account is reimbursed with a portion of the utility costs that have been saved from supported projects, thus making the fund self- sustaining.

Verge said the fund has supported 79 projects to date. Energy savings from projects through June 1996 are valued at more than $8 million. In addition, the net savings grow each year as new projects are added and older projects continue to produce savings.

“Reducing energy consumption is an important national priority,” said Paul Spradlin, interim associate vice president for business operations at U-M. “The energy conservation efforts at the U-M are good for the environment and good for business.”

In celebration of Energy Awareness Month, the DOE award winners were recognized today at a ceremony in Washington. The awards, given each year by DOE, recognize individuals, institutions, companies and government agencies that have implemented energy-related measures that benefit the nation’s environment, economy and security. Award categories include: Building Technology, Industrial Technology, Transportation Technology, Utility Technology, Federal Energy Activities and Energy Technology and Education. The U-M energy conservation project was named as this year’s top project in the Building Technology category.

Projects in the DOE competition were evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: program effectiveness, natural resource conservation, economic progress and energy education and awareness. The projects were reviewed by state energy offices, as well as an independent panel of judges representing national energy organizations.

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