New UCF Energy Plant Is Designed for Learning
Fall 2018 | By Nicole Dudenhoefer ’17
Located near the Arboretum, the new UCF energy plant, DEP IV, joined three other energy plants in providing chilled water for air conditioning and cooling processes to 64 buildings on campus. The new facility is the first to also produce hot water, which is used for heating, air conditioning and ventilation processes in the Research I building. By using energy-efficient materials and processes, the plant helps to reduce the university’s impact on climate change.
“As UCF strives to become a preeminent research university, the need for a robust district energy system like DEP IV is integral. Energy is not optional at UCF but how we manage and use it is.”
Curt Wade, director of UCF’s Utilities and Energy Services
The opening of DEP IV marks another milestone in UCF’s commitment to sustainability and energy-efficiency on campus.
33,000 kilowatt hours
Energy DEP IV uses on a daily basis.
The average homeowner uses 30 kilowatt hours per day.
$121,000
Annual savings the new plant generates for the university compared to a base efficiency plant
25,500 tons
Chilled water generated daily by UCF’s four energy plants at full capacity.
Without this system, each building would need its own air-conditioning units.
DEP IV was designed with specialty windows to ensure chillers can be moved and out the facility easily for future maintenance requirements.
143°
Temperature of the hot water produced by DEP IV
30
Fans used in DEP IV’s cooling towers, providing more resiliency compared to a standard one-fan tower
1st
Industrial building on campus to receive LEED Gold certification