By SCN Staff
STORRS, Ct.鈥擶ork is now complete on the Central Utility Plant (CUP)听project for the听University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs.
BOND Building Construction Inc. constructed a more efficient and flexible chiller plant and upgraded the existing units that were underperforming as demand increased. The CUP was completed in support of UConn鈥檚 broader initiatives aimed at expanding high tech teaching, learning, and research capabilities with an increased focus on STEM.
The scope of work on the $13.9 million project consisted of replacing four gas fired chillers, heat exchangers, and pumps as well as the cooling towers within the CUP. The project involved employing multiple phases and strict shutdown durations. The system just completed its first summer of operation to demonstrate reliable performance.
鈥淭he work on the Central Utility Plant was mission critical to campus operations and we were driven to deliver superior results for the client,鈥� said听Tim Peer, P.E.,听vice president of district energy for听BOND Building Construction, Inc., in a statement. 鈥淥ur team is grateful to our consultant partners and UConn for their hard work bringing this project to finalization. We are eagerly looking toward the future as we continue work on the听Supplemental Utility Plant听and the听CUP Boiler Replacement听辫谤辞箩别肠迟蝉.鈥�
In addition to this project, BOND Building was selected to provide two additional construction management projects for UConn. The听Science Quad Supplemental Utility Plant (SUP)听and the听Boiler Plant and Utility Tunnel听Upgrades听projects are being executed in parallel.
The purpose of the SUP is to address the continued growth of new buildings on campus and the need for more capacity in the central energy systems. The SUP is a multi-phased project that will increase the campus鈥� capacity for chilled water and onsite electrical generation. The boiler plant and tunnel upgrades will demolish three field erected boilers and replace them with two packaged units plus add steam generation capacity at the SUP.
鈥淯Conn stands as a shining example of an institution with significant energy efficiency goals and planning for the future,鈥� said BOND Building Construction President Frank Hayes.听鈥淥ur highly specialized work at the university will allow the campus energy systems to increase resiliency for extreme weather events and improve efficiency overall, in support of the university鈥檚 strategic growth.鈥�