The CTU Nuclear Faculty saves millions thanks to EPC

The detached workplace of the Faculty of Nuclear and Physical Engineering (FJFI) in Děčín and the buildings in Břehová and Trojanova Streets in the center of Prague, where the faculty classrooms or offices of managers and teachers are located, underwent energy modernization. As part of the EPC project, the heating was modernized, windows, lighting, heating valves were replaced, and energy management was introduced, which will monitor further potential savings in the coming years. Energy consumption in the reconstructed buildings will be reduced by 1,200 MWh per year, which is more than 26% of their total consumption. In 10 years, the faculty will save a total of CZK 36.7 million.
“The modernization of CTU buildings is currently one of our priorities. Many of these buildings are historic and their energy performance has long been below modern standards. The EPC project format has proven itself in this effort in the past, when ČEZ ESCO reconstructed nine buildings for us, including dormitories and canteens. When we were looking for a way to continue the reconstruction, EPC was the clear choice. In total, both projects will now save over CZK 25 million each year. But it is not just about saving money; the renovation of the buildings also allows us to provide our students with top-notch education in a modern environment. I am pleased that we are managing to reconstruct listed buildings in a careful manner in this way,” says CTU Rector Michal Pěchouček.
“Along with hospitals and cultural facilities, universities are among the institutions that EPC projects can help the most. They have many buildings that are highly energy-intensive and at the same time have to ensure daily operations. I am so glad that we have managed to build on the previous good cooperation and that CTU can start adding up further savings. I am especially pleased because this is a project at the nuclear faculty, where future top engineers study. The importance of nuclear power as an emission-free source of electricity is growing and many students may become our colleagues in the future,” says Kamil Čermák, CEO of ČEZ ESCO.
One of the main challenges of the project for ČEZ ESCO was protecting the character of the modernized buildings. For the Prague buildings, the construction had to take place in close cooperation with conservationists, while in Děčín, it was necessary to think about how the building would connect to the local castle complex. It is directly adjacent to it.
“The EPC project has once again shown how important open and active communication is for our faculty. The preparations and implementation of the reconstruction of our buildings were demanding, but thanks to good cooperation with ČEZ ESCO, the project was completed quickly and we are starting to save money. I am personally very happy about that. Higher education is also essentially a service, and energy savings are a way to improve it,” adds Václav Čuba, Dean of the Faculty of Nuclear and Engineering at the Czech Technical University.
The modernization took place in the form of an EPC project, which operates on the principle of a guarantee of proven savings. ČEZ ESCO will carry out all partial stages from the design and planning of the savings measures through their preparation and implementation to commissioning. The supplier can also provide a loan for implementation, which the customer repays only from the savings actually achieved. ČEZ ESCO therefore bears all technical and economic risks of the project. If the savings are not achieved in the guaranteed amount, the supplier covers the entire deficit.
"In EPC projects, we make it a point to interfere as little as possible with the operation of the modernized buildings. I am so glad that, thanks to previous experience with CTU and good communication with the management, we managed to reconstruct all the buildings in such a way that their appearance is praised not only by students and employees, but also by local residents. A big thank you to all those involved, also because the work was carried out during the normal operation of the faculty," adds Pavol Fraňo, CEO of ENESA.