Cochise Newsroom

Cochise College has been recognized for its commitment to energy conservation and implementing upgrades at its Douglas Campus through a partnership with Schneider Electric and the Arizona Public Service (APS) Solutions for Business program. The college received $34,918.25 in rebate checks. One check totaling $15,632.50 was awarded for retrofitting existing fixtures with energy-saving LED lighting. The second check for $19,285.75 covers new lighting installation and the implementation of the variable speed drive (VSD) upgrades, also known as variable frequency drives (VFD).

 

"Projects included campus-wide LED lighting upgrades and modernization of the Central Plant to optimize heating and cooling systems," said Jim Barrows, Director of Facilities at the college. "These improvements reduce energy usage and extend the life of key infrastructure systems."

 

Central Plant Optimization utilizes automated energy management software with intelligent features such as demand-based control, VFDs, and external data monitoring to dramatically improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems.

 

To recognize the capital improvements and enhancements to the Douglas Campus, APS presented the rebate checks to the college on Wednesday, May 14, as part of the APS Solutions for Business program's incentives.

 

"The investment in these upgrades reflects our commitment to sustainability and energy conservation but most importantly to enhance the Douglas Campus," said Dr. James Perey, president of Cochise College. "We are proud to partner with APS and Schneider Electric to build a more efficient and environmentally responsible campus."

 

The APS Solutions for Business program provides resources and rebates to help facilities implement energy-saving projects. Through free energy assessments from APS, experts can provide tips on energy savings and share more about the special service plans tailored to customers' needs.

 

"We're proud to partner with our customers, like Cochise College, to save money and earn rebates through the APS Solutions for Business program. By upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting and installing variable speed drive equipment, the college will reduce energy costs while continuing to support student needs," said Trevor Swanson, Energy Innovation Advisor for APS.

 

The upgrades at the Douglas Campus are expected to help reduce the annual energy consumption and operational costs, creating long-term savings.

 

For more information about the Cochise College Douglas Campus, visit www.cochise.edu