Universities are really good at educating students, but running behind-the-scenes utilities isn’t our core function. A company like OPTERRA can manage our infrastructure better than we can. Energy services is their business; it’s what they do.

This project is helping Hartnell College advance a number of our goals, including achieving improved sustainability at all three campuses and setting an example we hope will resonate across the state. With many of our students looking to pursue careers in the emerging green economy, this project also serves as an extraordinary learning opportunity to perform project-based research.

Through the partnership, we’re working on new ways of delivering power and heat, 
reducing the university’s carbon footprint, and supporting the academic teaching 
and research that will underpin the next generation of energy innovation.

This project is another major push toward our ultimate goal to declare our energy independence and foster awareness of green concepts and technology in traditionally underserved areas. We are energized by Southwest’s project, as it gives us an exciting chance to highlight the District’s commitment to building green and to developing a new pipeline of eco-conscious workers for the green workforce.

The operation of the cogeneration system, real-time energy monitoring, data for energy savings and reduction of emissions will be a learning tool for students and a valuable educational experience.

This Energy Performance Partnership allowed us to both save money and use power at a greater level of efficiency. The recouped energy 
savings from the ESCO project helped pave the way for future energy projects and solidified Fort Hays State University as a national leader in institutional energy management.