McGough Shares Expertise on Campus Utility Master Planning Projects at the Iowa APPA’s Spring Conference

Campus utility infrastructure continues to be at the forefront of master planning work efforts for many colleges and universities. McGough had the opportunity to share its expertise and experience at the IAAPPA Leadership in Iowa Educational Facilities Spring Conference in Ames, IA.

Tim Eickman (Director – Power & Infrastructure) and Jon Holmen (General Manager – Iowa) presented at the IAAPPA conference, highlighting recent McGough utility master planning projects, such as Carleton College and Penn State University.

“The process of developing goals, criteria, costing, funding, execution and operations can be overwhelming to owners without a structured development plan,” said Eickman. “The application in the development of the four major sections of engineering, financing, construction and operations will assist in providing the comprehensive report which will allow for prioritization and phasing. This work effort can be utilized for water, electrical, fire protection, heating, cooling and information technology.”

One example of this has been the utility master plan project at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn. The campus in its entirety is in the process of converting their heating system from steam to hot water. This new system utilizes multiple ground heat exchangers, heat pumps, low temperature hot water boilers and an extensive modifications of building conversions and existing utility piping networks. All this is integrated with the electrical campus grid, domestic hot water production and automation controls.

Another example is the combined heat and power project at Penn State University. The University's utility master plan has the campus generating its own power in lieu of purchasing from the local utility. The campus will now be able to provide not only electricity, but steam through a combined cycle installation. It will lower overall net emissions, further advancing the reduction of Penn State University’s carbon footprint.

Overall, through proper research, analysis and forecasting, the development of the utility master plan is critical to maintaining, improving and advancing today’s campus infrastructure.

To learn more about McGough’s campus utility master planning expertise, contact Tim Eickman at tim.eickman@mcgough.com or 651.631.4104 (office).