Three teams bid on Comprehensive Energy Management Project

Ohio State has started to review bids from three teams interested in managing the university’s energy systems and improving our sustainability.

Each team has committed to meet the university’s goal of a 25 percent improvement in energy efficiency within 10 years, meet the high performance standards for energy operations, and provide at least $150 million in support for internships, scholarships, research and other academic collaboration opportunities. In addition, each team has proposed a significant upfront payment that the university would devote to its academic mission.

The bidders on the project are all leading experts on energy use and sustainability who have demonstrated expertise, capabilities and quality of proposals to meet our needs. The teams, which include operating and financial partners, are:

  • Brookfield Asset Management and Enwave District Energy
  • ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure
  • Macquarie Corporate Holdings and Veolia Energy Operating Services

The three teams responded to a Request for Proposals (read the RFP) which set out the university's high expectations for service, sustainability, academic collaboration and financial considerations. Beyond any upfront payment, the university required a minimum of $150 million in academic collaboration investments, including:

  • $30 million in internships and scholarships
  • $50 million for research, including an impactful, visionary academic or research project
  • $50 million for philanthropy at the university, including support for faculty positions
  • $15 million for a sustainability endowment for projects outside the scope of comprehensive energy management
  • $5 million to develop sustainability curriculum, related teaching and learning initiatives, and staff development

The bids are now being evaluated by the university, with input from the three advisory groups composed of students, faculty and staff.

University leaders intend to bring a recommendation on whether or not to enter into a comprehensive energy management agreement to the Board of Trustees at its April 7 meeting.