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Ameresco > Case Studies > Ameresco and Alaska Pacific University Collaborate on Energy-Efficient Facility Upgrade
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Ameresco and Alaska Pacific University Collaborate on Energy-Efficient Facility Upgrade

Technology Category
  • Sensors - GPS
  • Sensors - Utility Meters
Applicable Industries
  • Education
  • Renewable Energy
Applicable Functions
  • Facility Management
  • Product Research & Development
Use Cases
  • Smart Campus
  • Virtual Training
Services
  • Training
The Challenge
Alaska Pacific University (APU) was facing challenges with its Thomas Training Center on Eagle Glacier, a world-class training ground for Winter Olympic athletes and world championship cross country skiing hopefuls. The facility, originally built in 1987, was in need of infrastructure upgrades to improve energy efficiency and water conservation. The center, located on a remote glacier mountaintop south of Anchorage, also presented logistical challenges for the transportation of materials from sea level to the mountain apex. The project aimed to reduce the center's energy consumption, improve wastewater treatment, and enhance the overall experience for athletes and staff. The project was also constrained by the need to perform the majority of the work during the summer and fall of 2023.
About The Customer
The customer in this case is Alaska Pacific University (APU), a fully accredited four-year Alaska Native-serving and tribally controlled University. APU provides a world-class, hands-on, culturally responsive educational experience in collaboration with its students, communities, and Tribal partners. The university offers academic programs ranging from certificates to a doctoral program. One of its facilities is the Thomas Training Center, operated by APU Nordic Ski Center. The center, located on a glacier mountaintop south of Anchorage, serves as a hub for Nordic athletic training opportunities during summer months and is a training ground for Winter Olympic athletes and world championship cross country skiing hopefuls.
The Solution
Ameresco, a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, partnered with APU and Olgoonik Construction Services, an Alaska-based Native Corporation, to design and upgrade the existing infrastructure at the Thomas Training Center. The project involved the installation of a new boiler, baseboard heaters, convection heaters, and water heaters. Additionally, the existing 750-gallon water tank was retrofitted with a new 500-gallon tank. The upgrades were designed to reduce the center's energy consumption and improve its wastewater treatment and water conservation efforts. The project also factored in the unique logistical challenges of transporting materials to the remote location, using helicopter deliveries. The construction is expected to be completed in October 2023.
Operational Impact
  • The partnership between Ameresco and APU is expected to result in significant operational improvements at the Thomas Training Center. The facility upgrades will not only reduce energy consumption but also advance wastewater treatment and water conservation efforts. This will contribute to cost savings and create a more comfortable experience for athletes and staff. The unique location of the center, combined with the necessary infrastructure specifications, provides the opportunity for advanced project designs. Upon completion, the center will have the capacity to house 16 residents, including athletes and coaches, and present variable conditions similar to those that skiers and other winter athletes experience when competing overseas.
Quantitative Benefit
  • Installation of a new boiler, baseboard heaters, convection heaters, and water heaters
  • Retrofitting of the existing 750-gallon water tank with a new 500-gallon tank
  • Reduction in the center's energy consumption

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