Officials with Purdue University in Indiana on May 7 presented a Comprehensive Energy Master Plan (CEMP), which calls for $33.1 million to be used to demolish an old coal-burning boiler, convert another coal-burning boiler to natural gas, install a natural gas-fired combined heat and power unit, and increase steam distribution along Jischke Drive. The money had originally been slated to build a new clean-coal boiler.

Planned near-term improvements include a 5 million gallon thermal energy storage tank that will allow water to be chilled at night when demand for cooling is low and electricity rates are cheaper. Wade Power Plant's Chiller 6 is scheduled for renovations to extend its service life. Planned upgrades to the pump at the northwest satellite plant will improve distribution at the north end of campus.

As written, mid- and long-term goals include replacing Chiller 6 at the Wade plant, removing Chiller 7 and Boiler 2, building a Boiler 9, adding new chillers at Satellite Plant 2, and building a new chilled water line along Third Street.

The Board of Trustees Physical Facilities Committee requested in 2011 that the university create a comprehensive energy plan to identify and meet the long-term energy needs on the campus. Burns & McDonnell was hired to assist the committee in the plan's development.

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