The Cooper Union received $321,671 in funding from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for two energy efficiency projects. Through the initiative of Associate Professor and George Clark Chair of Mechanical Engineering Melody Baglione, the funding is connecting Cooper Union students, facilities staff, and an energy consultant in a multifaceted initiative to increase Cooper Union’s energy efficiency and reduce our carbon footprint.

A Facilities Training and Curriculum Development project with $167,671 in NYSERDA funding engages Smith Engineering as an energy consultant, who will develop and deliver a combination of classroom and field training for our facilities staff and set up a new automated Preventative Maintenance system. The funding also supports the development of a new energy efficient building systems course collaboratively taught by Professor Baglione and energy consultant, Travis Smith.

A REV Campus Challenge Technical Assistance for  Roadmaps grant of $154,000 supports student interns  working alongside Smith Engineering and Professor Baglione to develop a plan for The Cooper Union to achieve its 40% carbon footprint reduction target by 2030. The funding supports implementing a building data historian and energy analytics system for identifying energy saving opportunities; level 3 ASHRAE building energy audits; and developing an energy master plan and a carbon action plan.

41 Cooper Square is the first academic building in New York City to earn a LEED-platinum certification. Professor Baglione’s work leverages 41 Cooper Square as a learning laboratory, exposing students to practical applications of theory they learn and to research projects related to state-of-the-art building controls and energy efficient operations. Previously, Professor Baglione has received funding from the National Science Foundation to develop new learning materials and student projects related to our HVAC and building management systems.

“Mechanical engineering students learn about PID controllers in Systems, the refrigeration cycle in Thermodynamics, the Bernoulli equation in Fluids; my goal is to provide students with opportunities to see how these concepts are applied in real-world systems,” Professor Baglione says. “Having our students work alongside our facilities staff and building professionals not only helps Cooper Union reach its energy and carbon reduction goals but prepares our students for future careers and research in building systems and energy management.”

Above at left: Cooper Union student interns on a facilities site visit to Princeton with Smith Engineering and Prof. Baglione