Campus utilities support Virginia Tech’s long-term vision
Virginia Tech is nearing the completion of its long-term campus utilities planning, aiming to create a road map that aligns utility systems with the university's strategic vision and goals outlined in the Climate Action Commitment.
At its November quarterly meeting, the Board of Visitors’ Building and Grounds Committee received an update on these efforts, which support the maintenance and advancement of the university’s steam, electric, chiller, stormwater, water, sewer, and telecommunications systems. These systems are essential for achieving the goals outlined in the Campus Master Plan.
“The Campus Master Plan provides the vision for our university’s growth, and this planning and visioning effort of our campus utilities will help provide the road map to get us there,” said Nam Nguyen, executive director of energy and utilities. “It’s crucial for ensuring that we not only meet current needs, but also support the university’s future infrastructure while maintaining reliable services across campus.”
Nguyen and University Engineer Matt Stolte briefed board committee members on the project’s progress. Members of the Board of Visitors also toured the university’s power plant and Southwest Chiller plant.
The process has involved collaboration with external partners that include the Town of Blacksburg, New River Valley Water Authority, and the Blacksburg-VPI Sanitation Authority. Input from administrative units across campus was received from the Office of the University Architect, Design and Construction, multiple colleges, the Division of Finance, the Division of Information Technology, Student Affairs, Research and Innovation, and more.
“By bringing together a broad set of campus stakeholders, we have been able to evaluate the level of services delivered to campus and create a comprehensive approach to manage the performance, sustainability, and resiliency of campus infrastructure in alignment with industry practices," said Stolte, whose office is leading the work.
Looking ahead, Virginia Tech recognizes the importance of supporting future technologies. “We’re actively tracking the evolution of energy technology to determine when and where it makes sense to adopt new developments, ensuring we stay at the forefront of innovation while meeting the university’s needs,” said Nguyen.
The vision for campus utilities is being developed with flexibility in mind, allowing Virginia Tech to adapt as technology, campus needs, and environmental factors evolve. This approach allows adjustments when strategies or technologies become outdated, supporting both reliability and sustainability.
One example of this is the completed solar array installations for the Sterrett Center, Durham Hall, and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. After careful planning and research into the effectiveness, these projects were initiated to help meet the goals outlined in the Climate Action Commitment. Additional solar arrays are also being installed on McComas Hall.
The completion of the long-term planning for campus utilities will mark a critical step toward aligning the university's infrastructure with its vision. With a focus on emerging energy technologies and sustainability, the university is well-positioned to continue advancing in both innovation and environmental stewardship.
