Background

Founded in 1966, Lake Land College is a public community college serving residents of 15 counties in a 4,000 sq. mi. area in East Central Illinois, with a population of 203,000. The 308 acre campus hosts 9 major buildings plus 6 support buildings, 2 campus ponds, a 160 acre agriculture land laboratory, computer labs, CAD lab, child care lab, cosmetology and dental clinics.

Vision

LLC took the opportunity presented by aging infrastructure to make environmentally smart decisions as original equipment and systems neared the end of their useful life. The college’s effort to become self-sustaining was shaped by three primary goals:

• Reduce energy consumption; counteract rising energy demand; and upgrade heating, cooling, lighting and controls campus wide.
• Modernize aging facilities dating to 1968 without disrupting college operations.
• Model best practices and serve as a laboratory for the College’s new renewable energy curriculum, preparing students for the rapid growth in “green jobs” in Illinois

Challenges

The College’s discovery process led them to seek a long-term solution in light of fast-rising energy costs. Geothermal energy was one of the alternative systems of interest to LLC, but national companies which they consulted said it could not be done on the College’s scale. LLC also wanted a turnkey solution with guaranteed performance to avoid the hidden costs of growing its own permanent staff.

Solution

"Lake Land College selected CTS Group as our long term business partner to help make our vision of self-sustainability and environmental stewardship a reality. Our goals was to reduce energy consumption, and to strive toward carbon neutrality while replacing 35 year-old deteriorating infrastructure across campus. We selected CTS based on their unique approach to a campus wide geothermal system, offerings in solar and wind energy, and creating educational opportunities for our students.  We have already exceeded projecated energy savings while make major renovations to support our education departments and curriculum.  Without hesitation, I encourage anyone that is considering building renovations or strategic energy initiatives to consider the CTS Group." Ray Rieck, Vice President of Business Services

The project parameters led the LLC team to CTS Group for expertise with infrastructure management programs and alternative energy solutions for public entities. As partners, LLC and CTS Group are dedicated to the College's commitment to a greener and cleaner education and environment.  This is being accomplished through a multi-year plan to create a replicable energy control system that generates energy while reducing consumption.  The holistic approach uses geothermal, solar and wind energy while creating educational opportunities for students.  The five-phase, five-year Capital Life Cycle Infrastructure Plan was developed utilizing alternative energy systems as follows:

Geothermal - Solar - Energy Efficiency Measures

A12 inch diameter geothermal pump diversification loop was completed running 3,000 ft. around the perimeter of the campus. The loop allows for load diversification and provides flexibility for locating future well fields. Initially 140 new geothermal wells were added to the system to serve the Field House and Vo-Tech buildings. This well field generates the first 240 tons of what will grow to generate 1,200 tons, or 75% of the required condenser capacity of the campus.  Further modifications to the power plant and geothermal loop were made bringing additional campus facilities on line.

/ Air Conditioning:  The Field House and Vo-Tech buildings, both built without air conditioning, gained cooling by being added to the geothermal system without any rise in carbon producing energy demand.

/ Solar Hot Water:  Installation of 10 solar energy panels on top of the Field House power the closed loop solar domestic water heating system. The solar heated water now provides the needs of the high demand uses of the Field House.

/ Energy Efficient Lighting:  New T-8 fluorescent lighting and motion sensors were added throughout campus which dramatically cut energy use.

/ Interior Renovations:  Major facility renovations were implemented across campus resulting in comfortable, more productive learning environments with energy efficient systems.

Wind Energy

With the initiative of "Envision.Educate.Engage," LLC is now developing and installing a wind turbine system which will pay a major role in their goal of being energy neutral. Wind power will generate electricity for lights and HVAC systems to offset electricity that would otherwise be purchsed from the local utility.  While there are many wind turbine systems in operation, the LLC system is unique in that it utilizes 100kW super turbines which can produce more energy at lower wind speeds than standard 100kW turbines.  The result is more energy with fewer turbines making these systems very attractive.  These turbines can be used much more economically in areas of lower wind speeds where the standard 100kW turbines are not a logical choice.

Results:  Lowest Utility Costs for Illinois Community Colleges!

The college is already experiencing savings beyond projections.  Facing an aging infrastructure, rising utility costs and new construction, College officials took a risk and set a goal of creating a very large geothermal well field, utilizing other energy generation sources and finding solutions to reduce energy consumption.  It's working!  Prior to 2008, the College's carbon footprint emitted 6,500 tons annually.  Since the Envision.Educate.Engage Initiative, Lake Land has saved 400 tons of carbon dioxide per year and is saving more than $100,000 a year in utility costs!

Curriculum

The College currently offers two courses in the sustainability field and has received a grant for state-of-the-art equipment and materials to provide students with hands-on learning in emerging Green Job Technology fields such as building, retrofitting, solar and wind power, and smart grid technologies.  The wind turbines will also allow the College to develop a learning lab for students.

Funding

The $20 Million in renovations will be phased over 5 years. CTS has provided grant assistance to help provide project funding. The college has thus far been awarded the following grants:

• $280,000 - ARRA Thermal Efficiency Program – IL DCEO
• $500,000 - ARRA Community Renewable Energy Program
• $1,332,100 - US Department of Energy

Strengthening the Local Economy

Through the use of local contractors and labor on the project, it is estimated that $9 Million of new spending resulted in the local community, and up to 496 jobs have been created or maintained.*  Not only has the project reduced the carbon footprint on the environment, it has also helped local families and businesses remain strong.

Download PDF of Lake Land Community College case study

*Bureau of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, RIMS II Multipliers.  Estimates $3 Million of new spending in the local community, as well as up to 26 new jobs created or maintained for every $1 of work implemented.