The Comprehensive Energy Management Project by the Ohio State University was officially launched on July 6. This project, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in April, is believed to improve Ohio State’s energy efficiency while enhancing the next generation of sustainable energy solutions. According to reports, in the first ten years, the energy efficiency on the Columbus campus is supposed to improve by at least 25 percent.

The university, on July 6, transferred the management of the central systems (responsible for heating, cooling and supplying power to Columbus campus) to ENGIE services, which will operate these systems on behalf of Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP). OSEP is made up of two leading companies in the field of energy services and sustainability: ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure. According to President Michael V. Drake, this innovative public-private partnership would help them reach their long-term sustainability goal for energy and represents the largest single investment in Ohio State’s academic mission in the history.

The Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron has exclaimed that through the academic collaborations with the new partner, there will be sustainable energy solution from discoveries made at the Ohio State. He believes the new partner will also increase the financial aid, endow new faculty positions and invest in sustainability and staff development.

Ohio State University is also supposed to invest $1.015 billion alongside the endowment to support student financial aid; investments in classrooms, labs and art spaces; a utility sustainability fund; compensation enhancements for faculty and staff; and compensation enhancements for faculty and staff.

OSEP will start the installation of the smart meters this year to collect building-specific data about energy consumption. The data will allow guiding the proposals for energy conservation measures throughout the campus to meet Ohio State's energy sustainability goal. A special Energy Advisory Committee will be formed which will consist of students, faculty and staff representatives to review the proposals for energy conservation measures along with other responsibilities.