U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), alongside leaders from Henry Ford College (HFC), Johnson Controls and Garforth International, celebrated a $3.1 million appropriation to support a sustainability initiative that demonstrates how schools, cities and organizations across the U.S. can reach their net zero targets, as well as train the next generation of energy leadership.
With an Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) as the cornerstone of the campus transformation, HFC will reach its net zero targets while providing students with an unprecedented educational experience. The Living Learning Classroom experience will support emerging career pathways and foster innovators who will create a more sustainable energy future.
The IEMP sets the stage for breakthrough results well ahead of HFC's target date of 2040. These include increasing energy efficiency by 60%, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% and increasing water use efficiency by over 40%. The immediate energy transformation includes the following upgrades at the 75-acre main campus:
- Heating System: A lower-temperature district energy network, which replaces the 60-year-old inefficient high-temperature system
- Air Handling Upgrades: Extensive improvements to air handling equipment for better control, comfort and air quality
- Controls and Metering: A campus-wide system upgrade to allow real-time optimization of the College's energy performance, as well as addressing occupant comfort
- Lighting: Upgraded to LED lighting campus-wide
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays: Generating clean power from the sun
- Water Conservation: Upgraded water fixtures, toilets and zero-water landscaping
To date, the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program has awarded $2.9 million in grants to 20 community colleges throughout North America, supporting more than 1,750 students through scholarships, toolkits, curriculum support, Johnson Controls employee mentors and more.
