- A Henry Ford College Integrated Energy Master Plan,
supported by a $3.1 million
appropriation secured by Senator Debbie
Stabenow, includes replacement of a 60-year-old network with
a modern district heating solution and a new Living Learning Energy
Center for workforce innovation.
- Results are expected to include at least 60% energy and 40%
water efficiency gains, along with a 50% reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions.
- A Johnson Controls Community College Partnership Program
grant transforms the campus and its systems into a living classroom
leading to new career pathways for Henry
Ford College students.
MILWAUKEE, April 13,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Senator Debbie
Stabenow (D-Mich.), alongside leaders from Henry Ford College (HFC), Johnson Controls
(NYSE: JCI) and Garforth International, today 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.
"Henry Ford College has an
impressive track record of training students for jobs of the
future. This project strengthens that track record by giving
students hands-on experience and training with state-of-the-art
clean energy equipment, while benefiting the College with greater
energy efficient systems. That's why I was so excited to secure
these funds in last year's federal budget," said Senator
Stabenow.
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
Future-forward curriculum fosters
next generation of energy leaders
The IEMP is leading the industry forward in its transition to a
more comprehensive response for energy-related curriculum, through
which students will learn in real time by observing and interacting
with the College's own systems. The "living learning classroom"
will open new career pathways for students interested in entering a
rapidly growing field. HFC's programs offer a one-year major for
technicians, a two-year major for project managers and a path to a
bachelor's degree in energy production. Graduates will enter the
workforce prepared for careers that will provide family-sustaining
wages and foster financial equity.
"At Henry Ford College, our mission is student success in all
its forms," said Russ Kavalhuna,
president, Henry Ford College. "We
are grateful to Senator Stabenow for her unwavering support, and
for her hard work in securing this appropriation, which will
support our students in valuable ways. We believe a better future
for our students and community includes a healthy planet,
community, and a sustainable energy model. This is one reason we
are pleased to partner with companies like Johnson Controls to
invest in the sustainability of our facilities and the career
pathways of our students. We hope our College will serve as a model
to like-minded institutions that are ready to embark on their own
sustainable energy and curricular innovation journeys."
The creation and expansion of HFC's Energy Technology Program is
supported by the Johnson Controls Community College Partnership
Program, a major philanthropic initiative aimed at investing some
$15 million in community colleges
across North America. In total
nearly $3 million has been committed
to colleges throughout North
America, of which $190,000 has
been donated to HFC since 2021 to support more than 50 students
interested in energy-related careers. The funding also supports
scholarships and builds connections with Detroit-based high schools to encourage
interest among prospective students.
Johnson Controls will give priority consideration for employment
to graduates of the program as the company continues its drive to
bring new and diverse talent to a vital industry shaping the future
of our communities and the planet.
"We are honored to partner with forward-thinking higher
education institutions to foster the next generation of
sustainability experts," said Chuck
McGinnis, vice president, North America Sustainable
Infrastructure, Johnson Controls. "We're thrilled to see how
Henry Ford College, a member of the
inaugural cohort of schools in the Johnson Controls Community
College Partnership Program, is leveraging its funds to deploy an
IEMP that leads the way in net zero higher education, contributes
to a growing field and supports the workforce in its surrounding
community."
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. To learn more about the
program, visit
https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/corporatesustainability/community/philanthropy/community-college-partnership.
About Johnson Controls
At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments
where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in
smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to
reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and
the planet.
Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation,
we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as
healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums,
manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive
digital offering.
Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150
countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of
building technology and software as well as service solutions from
some of the most trusted names in the industry.
Visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information,
and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.
About Henry
Ford College
Henry Ford College (HFC) in
Dearborn, Mich., is a
comprehensive, accredited public college serving 12,000 enrolled
students. HFC has been successfully preparing students for a
rapidly changing world since 1938 and today offers more than 150
high-quality associate degree, career, certificate and university
transfer programs. The College also offers a Bachelor of Science in
Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies, as well as 3+1 programs
with university partners. HFC provides customized workforce
development training for business and industry. Visit hfcc.edu for
more details or look for us on social media.
CONTACT: Kari Pfisterer,
kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com
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SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc