Abilene Christian University has entered into a long-term Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) partnership with Bernhard, a leader in energy infrastructure, to enhance the university’s campus energy efficiency and sustainability. This unique partnership allows ACU to better focus on its core mission of student success and academic excellence.
Over the past several years, ACU has made significant investments in its central plant, with $15 million recently allocated for upgrades. However, this new partnership will free up significant capital resources to accelerate change and will tap into Bernhard’s expertise in optimizing energy systems. This agreement ensures the university can complete necessary projects faster and more efficiently, enhancing student comfort and reallocating resources toward academic initiatives.
“Our partnership with Bernhard represents a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, ACU president. “By leveraging Bernhard’s expertise in energy management, we can improve our infrastructure and focus more on what we do best – providing a world-class education to our students. This partnership will not only make our campus more efficient but also help us redirect our resources to continue enhancing the student experience.”
The project’s scope of work, valued at $84.3 million, bolsters ACU’s resilience and capacity for growth while also addressing a significant backlog of deferred maintenance (replacing assets that have surpassed their useful life). The project includes the installation of an 18 MWac solar array, upgrades to existing central cooling and heating systems, and improvements to HVAC, building automation and lighting systems of most campus buildings.
The university continues to exemplify the diversified energy that is a geographic strength of Texas. ACU, in partnership with Natura Resources, recently received the first construction permit for a university nuclear reactor in the U.S. in the past 30 years. Investments in power and energy efficiency will provide unique opportunities for students to experience state-of-the-art equipment and unlock new job opportunities with long-term partners in these growing fields.
“Abilene Christian University’s commitment to innovation in both academics and campus operations makes this EaaS project a perfect fit,” said Rob Guthrie, CEO of Bernhard. “Our team is excited to bring our innovative energy solutions to ACU, improving energy efficiency while reducing costs and supporting the university’s bold goals for its future growth. This project aligns perfectly with our mission to deliver sustainable solutions for higher education institutions.”
CORE Energy, serving as the construction manager, will be responsible for delivering the up-front improvements required as part of the overall project. CORE will focus on executing the physical upgrades to ACU’s central plant and supporting systems, ensuring the university’s facilities are equipped to operate at peak efficiency for years to come.
“This EaaS partnership embodies the CORE values of integrity, fairness, continuous improvement and results,” said Ronald Bordelon, president of CORE Energy, Ltd. “CORE Energy is proud to expand our long relationship with ACU and Bernhard, fulfilling our mission to earn the trust of our employees, building partners, and clients. We look forward to bringing value to ACU for many years to come.”
The financial structure of this partnership provides ACU with an upfront cash consideration of $78.3 million to support improvements and significant tax benefits after construction is completed. This strategic collaboration aims to reduce energy consumption by 29% and save more than $140 million in utility costs over the partnership’s term.
ACU’s initiative aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals promising to create hundreds of jobs, eliminating all scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions of ACU, and significantly enhancing local air quality and sustainability.
About Bernhard:
Bernhard is an energy infrastructure firm headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded in 1919, Bernhard’s core services span the U.S. and include engineering, fabrication, construction, asset management and energy-as-a-service for customers in health care, higher education, hospitality, industrial and other market segments. Bernhard has 23 U.S. offices and more than 2,100 full-time employees.
About CORE:
Founded in 1937, CORE boasts a proven track record, delivering exceptional service across healthcare, education, municipal, industrial and commercial markets nationwide. Known for embracing cutting-edge technology paired with hands-on experience, CORE consistently ranks among the top contractors by Engineering News-Record and Building Design + Construction.