University of Hawai'i Community Colleges Selects Johnson Controls to Implement $58 Million Energy Savings Program

MILWAUKEE, April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Hawai'i Community Colleges (UHCC) and Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) today announced  the start of a comprehensive energy efficiency and conservation program projected to save the university more than $58 million in energy and operational savings over the life of the 20-year performance contract. Johnson Controls, a global leader in making public and private buildings more energy efficient, will also help UHCC to develop a sustainability curriculum customized for students at four of its O'ahu campuses.  

UHCC's campuses will integrate several energy solutions designed to reduce the amount of electricity, water, wastewater and syngas the sites currently use. Solar hot water, energy efficient air conditioning and lighting retrofits are among the solutions provided by Johnson Controls. The project is expected to decrease UHCC's use of kilowatt-hours by more than 6 million kWh per year, which represents a reduction of approximately 23% of the campuses' current usage.

"University of Hawai'i Community Colleges is a prime example of an emerging higher education leader," said Jim Simpson, director, Higher Education Energy Solutions, Johnson Controls. "The university is applying best practices in sustainability to implement an energy savings program while teaching students about the importance of conservation in anticipation of the growing demand for expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability."

As a part of UHCC's conservation initiatives, Johnson Controls will also develop a customized sustainability curriculum for each college in collaboration with university faculty. The curriculum will consist of sustainability and renewable energy modules designed to naturally incorporate conservation learning within their major areas of study. Building energy conservation within the curriculum will help students transfer knowledge gained in the classroom to their professional and social experiences.

"This performance contact with Johnson Controls enables University of Hawai'i Community Colleges to bring energy efficiency to our campuses in two critical and complementary ways," said John Morton, Vice President for Community Colleges, University of Hawai'i. "Our demand and usage of energy will decrease, and our students will benefit from global best practices as they train for the green collar jobs of tomorrow."  

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries.  Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles.  Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat.  Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.  In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list.  For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

About University of Hawai'i Community Colleges

The University of Hawai'i Community Colleges (UHCC), part of the 10-campus University of Hawai'i System, comprises seven degree-granting institutions, three University Centers, and Education Centers on Molokai'i, Lana'i, in Hana, Maui, and on the Waia'ane Coast of O'ahu. With more than 34,000 students, UHCC provides open-door access to affordable, high-quality education in a variety of programs from career and technical education to liberal arts education.

SOURCE Johnson Controls