NC State Awarded Grant for Smart Building Modernization

NC State University has been awarded up to $403,000 through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant, administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, an initial allocation of $249,662 has been approved, with the remaining funds to be disbursed as they become available. 

The grant will support smart building upgrades at the university’s Public Safety Center. Planned improvements include energy-efficient LED lighting, occupancy sensors, dimming controls, comprehensive retrocommissioning, and the implementation of Fault Detection and Diagnostics and Advanced Building Analytics within the Building Automation System (BAS).

The Public Safety Center houses law enforcement and fire/life safety personnel who serve the university community and coordinate with local agencies, such as the City of Raleigh and Wake County. As a 24/7 operation providing essential services, the facility requires sophisticated energy management systems. These needs will be addressed through this grant.

The project is expected to reduce energy use by 1,215 MMBTU of energy, cut carbon dioxide emissions by 188 metric tons and save $30,007 annually in utility costs. These outcomes will support the university’s goal to reduce energy use intensity by 40% from the 2003 baseline and reach climate neutrality by 2050.

For more information or to get involved with energy projects on campus, contact NC State Energy Management at save_energy@ncsu.edu.