Albany State University leads University System of Georgia in energy conservation

ALBANY — Albany State University, which has been working hard to become an active leader in energy conservation, is leading University System of Georgia institutions in the largest reduction of energy consumption.

“Our goal is to be the most energy efficient university in Georgia,” Lee Howell, director of Facilities Management at ASU, said. “We’re making the entire university operate more efficiently.”

Based on information submitted by all institutions for the Governor’s Energy Challenge for Fiscal Year 2017, ASU had a 43 percent reduction in energy from FY 2016 to FY 2017. This is the largest reduction across the System for the period, according to Mark Kitta, director of management and operations for the USG.

The closest institution in the system to ASU recorded reductions of 30 percent. This was Howell’s second year of double-digit reductions.

“We manipulate how things operate,” Howell said. “That’s where all of the savings comes from.”

Howell and his team utilize an energy management software system to better control energy related needs. The web-based system allows for access from anywhere. Howell said he uses the system at night and on the weekends to adjust controls for the temperature and lights in buildings including the HPER gymnasium.

Robert Lawson, project manager for facilities management, also noted the replacement of incandescent light bulbs with LED fixtures in most of the buildings as one of the many ways the university is making small changes that lead to big savings. LEDS have a longer life and better light, according to Lawson. He said it also will cut down on maintenance costs.

With all energy reduction efforts combined, Howell anticipates a cost of approximately $1.5 million for Fiscal Year 2019. He hopes to use the savings to reinvest in more energy conservation ideas and concepts.

Howell has worked with energy conservation for many years. In 2009, he won the first award from then Gov. Sonny Perdue for the Conserve Georgia campaign, an effort aimed at promoting the conservation of energy, land and water; the prevention of litter and the promotion of recycling.

Energy conservation is his passion, Howell said, and he plans to reach out to students to encourage them to develop more ideas for reducing the consumption of energy on campus.

“It’s something I love doing,” Howell said. “It’s rewarding for me.”