By Gary Pitts
Murray, KY – Murray State University expects to see a significant drop in energy usage and increased savings using a new energy optimization system. The university just released the results from a six month testing period with AdaptiVolt, and projections are that it will save over 2 million kilowatt hours a year, enough to power over 200 homes. MSU Chief Facilities Officer Kim Oatman says the system uses smart grid technology.
"It's a central processor that allows our central plant to communicate with the ends of our distribution system, so the extremities of campus. And communicates back and allows us to adjust voltage in real time so that we get our voltage as low as possible within the limits."
Oatman says the system should save the university around $200,000 thousand dollars a year. The initial cost of it is around $250,000 dollars. Oatman says about half of that is covered by a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the other half will be made up for in savings in less than a year.