he campus utility infrastructure addressed by UF-623 provides crucial heating, cooling and electric delivery that keeps The University operating in a safe and reliable manner. Major portions of this infrastructure now exceed their useful life. Extensive upgrades and replacements are very capital intensive, but frequent system failures and increasing operational risks require action to allow these systems to support the University's core mission. The University of Florida (UF) is approaching the end of its contract with Duke Energy Florida for the production of steam and electricity to serve the Gainesville campus. The contract which has provided most of the energy services for the campus for the past twenty-five years is expiring. A mere renewal of the contract is not feasible without significant capital upgrades. Rather than continue with status quo, a broad range of options was explored to determine a set of infrastructure solutions that will serve The University for the next 50 years and beyond. UF is in the planning and conceptual design phase of our new utility infrastructure that will be constructed to provide reliable thermal and electrical service for campus operations. To date, a phased utility master plan has been developed that recommends an optimal and holistic development strategy to address both the immediate as well as long-term needs for campus electrical and thermal utilities. This project is specific to the New Central Energy Plant (CEP). Completion of UF-623 will position The University among the top higher education institutions in the country as a preeminent leader of campus energy sustainability, efficiency and reliability. The CEP will be constructed on the southern half of the Gale Lemerand Commuter Parking Lot. The plant building will house major mechanical and electrical infrastructure systems along with significant office and support spaces all contained within a structure and facade carefully curated and developed for the specific needs of the project, location and overall system functionality. The CEP consists of a new two floor (with mezzanines), thermal and electrical utility plant, which includes a connected two- story office and administration space. The first floor of the plant includes a high bay turbine/generator/boiler space and a large pump room, located on grade. The second floor of the plant will include chillers and turbine mezzanine areas and the third floor will contain electrical switchgear. The CEP will also house the plant control room, a mechanical shop and an electrical shop within the plant footprint.
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