Project Description

Services:



Client:

University of California, Merced

Contract Value:

$1.350 Billion USD

Contract Term / Payment Mechanism:

35 Years /Availability-Based

SPV Lead:

Plenary Properties Merced (PPM)

DB Contractor:

Webcor Builders (Webcor)

FM Contractor:

Johnson Controls (JCI)

As a component of one of the largest, most complex social infrastructure projects undertaken in the US to date (UC Merced 2020), WT oversaw the upgrading and refurbishment of the campus’s Central Utility Plant. 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 the purpose of equipment cooling and space conditioning. Heating hot water is distributed for the purposes of space conditioning.

A feasibility study was also carried out to determine the if the introduction of a new TES tank was necessary to meet the growing campus’ heating and cooling needs.