Butler University Central Plant

HEAPY provided engineering design and modeling services for the upgrade and expansion of the existing central cooling plant at Butler University. The center cooling plant serves nine academic buildings on campus, including the new Andre B. Lacey School of Business which opened in 2019. The project involved the removal of existing chillers, cooling towers, pumps, and all appurtenances associated with the central cooling plant which were replaced with three (3) new 900-ton chillers.

sustainability

Life cycle cost analysis was performed on each chiller bid to determine the most cost-effective option for a 30-year life cycle. The project utilized VFD magnetic bearing chillers with energy consumption as low as 0.1 kW/ton. VFDs on all pumps and the cooling towers, as well as a control system that constantly monitors the efficiency curves of the equipment provide additional energy savings when not at peak operation.

collaboration & innovation

HEAPY worked with Butler University’s Facilities to master plan a design that would address existing issues and plan for future campus growth. This project scope included a complicated schedule that required the team to maintain the heating plant, operating in the same room while replacing the chilled water plant with little to no impact on campus comfort.

HEAPY, along with Pepper Construction and BDMD, utilized advanced technology including BIM, AR, and 3D scanning to help the University visualize the end product and provide an improved plan for construction. The design helped Butler free up funding and time to focus on its core mission while providing comfortable spaces throughout campus. The project won a 2019 Indy Chamber Monumental Award for Engineering.