As a component of one of the largest, most complex social infrastructure projects undertaken in the US (UC Merced 2020), WT oversaw upgrading and refurbishing of the campus’s Central Utility Plant. Originally built-in 2005, the Central Utility Plant (CUP) was the first energy plant in the United States to be certified LEED Gold.
The UC Merced Central Plant generates and distributes chilled water, heating hot water and steam. Incoming electrical services from PG&E and the Campus photovoltaic array are managed and distributed from the Central Plant. Chilled water is distributed to campus buildings for equipment cooling and space conditioning. Heating hot water is distributed for space conditioning.
A feasibility study was also conducted to determine if introducing a new TES tank was necessary to meet the growing campus’s heating and cooling needs.