Case Study: Northwestern University achieves 30% greenhouse gas reduction and campus energy modernization with Ameresco's Energy as a Service

Work to be completed by Ameresco under the agreement will directly contribute to Northwestern University’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030

Northwestern University faced significant energy-related deferred maintenance across its campus and needed a way to advance sustainability goals without upfront capital. To address this, the university secured a long-term Energy as a Service (EaaS) agreement with Ameresco to manage energy performance and fund infrastructure improvements through future savings.

Under the Ameresco EaaS agreement, Ameresco will identify and implement efficiency upgrades across 175 buildings and central plants—upgrading building automation, lighting, heating and cooling, and alternative energy systems—while providing ongoing energy management and a sustainability fellowship program. The project is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030, eliminate upfront costs by funding improvements from energy savings, and lower utility and deferred maintenance costs campus-wide.

Northwestern University

Craig Johnson

Senior Vice President for Business and Finance