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April 22, 2026
Northern Illinois University and Trane Technologies Transform Campus Sustainability
Northern Illinois University partnered with Trane Technologies on a comprehensive campus sustainability program that reduced energy consumption, cut emissions and created hands-on learning opportunities that developed future talent.
We’re helping solve our customers’ big challenges by innovating and delivering solutions that are better for their business and for the environment. Through our Gigaton Challenge, we aim to reduce 1 gigaton of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from our customers’ footprints by 2030.
Project At-a-Glance:
The opportunity:
Execute a large-scale, campus-wide transformation to advance sustainability commitments, modernize aging infrastructure across 90+ buildings and create meaningful student engagement while operating within strict budget constraints.
The solution:
A comprehensive, campus-wide program incorporating efficiency upgrades, decarbonization, student engagement and broader community involvement.
Sustainability outcomes:
- Anticipated to deliver a 26% annual reduction in campus energy consumption and an 11% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Expected to generate $5 million in annual savings, just over $100 million in 20 years.
- Achieved budget-neutral implementation through $3.9 million in tax credits, utility rebates and state of Illinois incentives.
- Created nine student capstone projects, resulting in direct hires into Trane Technologies workforce.
In 2024, Northern Illinois University (NIU) partnered with our business Trane® on a comprehensive sustainability initiative to modernize campus infrastructure, advance climate goals and create hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Campus-wide transformation
NIU was facing pressure to address aging infrastructure while delivering modern curricula that would attract and retain students.
The university made a bold decision. Instead of a piecemeal approach, NIU launched a major sustainability initiative to meet its goal of 50% emissions reduction by 2030 while delivering exceptional student experiences.
Together, Trane and NIU developed a comprehensive program blending efficiency upgrades with student engagement and community involvement. The project introduced solar photovoltaic arrays, thermal energy storage tanks in three facilities—with one providing half the campus's chilled water—smart HVAC controls in 39 buildings, LED lighting retrofits across 51 buildings, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and EV charging stations.
“In collaboration with Trane, we are excited and thrilled to be pursuing a greener future for Northern Illinois University, our community and our world,” NIU President Lisa C. Freeman said. “NIU already plays critical roles in education and research related to sustainability, but this effort demonstrates our commitment to modeling sustainable behavior and environmental stewardship.”
The scope of the initiative was unprecedented, touching more than 90 buildings across campus and integrating multiple technologies into a unified sustainability program. The scale required close collaboration between NIU facilities teams, academic departments and Trane's engineering and project management resources.
The scope—spanning more than 90 buildings with integrated technologies and student engagement—sets a new benchmark for what's possible in campus sustainability.
Jon Dunlap
Upper Midwest Area Director of Energy Services, Trane Technologies
Student engagement and workforce development
The project was integrated directly into the university’s science curricula. Both faculty and students worked hands-on with Trane on the project's development and the monitoring of its results and impact.
For students like Stephanie Verdin, the collaboration provided more than classroom learning—it offered a direct pathway into the industry. “I love to solve complex problems,” said Verdin, now a Trane Technologies employee. “Working alongside trained professionals helped me understand where I can go. As a Latina in engineering, being part of this project opened doors—and now I want to open doors for others like me.”
A total of nine students leveraged their experience with the collaboration to create capstone projects, all co-developed with Trane team members.
"We decided to do an energy audit of a campus building to come up with as many energy conservation measures as we could,” said Ben Koranda, another NIU graduate. “We calculated the energy savings, the carbon reduction and explored renewable energy.”
Ben's project produced a guide for future student energy audits. Upon graduation, both he and Stephanie were hired by Trane Technologies.
"This project has been a catalyst for more things than I can count," said Courtney Gallagher, Director of Campus Sustainability at NIU. "But, I really think that one of the ways that has been most impactful is helping us to think about student engagement in a thoughtful and meaningful way."
Financial and environmental impact
The project was structured using an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), which uses future energy savings to fund the upgrades – minimizing or eliminating upfront capital costs and overcoming traditional budget barriers.
As a result of the collaboration, energy consumption at NIU is expected to decrease 26%. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to decline by 11%, equivalent to removing 10% of all vehicles from the road in DeKalb County1. Smart controls and thermal energy storage have further reduced peak energy demand, reducing energy costs and improving system flexibility across campus.
In total, the initiative is expected to generate $5 million in annual savings, with savings of just over $100 million in 20 years. NIU has also leveraged $3.9 million in tax credits and has captured significant utility rebates and state of Illinois incentives to support program financials, achieving budget-neutral implementation.
"NIU's commitment to sustainability and student comfort created a strong foundation for one of the most comprehensive programs we've undertaken in higher education," said Jon Dunlap, Upper Midwest Area Director of Energy Services, Trane Technologies. "The scope, spanning more than 90 buildings with integrated technologies and student engagement, sets a new benchmark for what's possible in campus sustainability. These improvements will reduce energy consumption and emissions while creating resilient learning spaces with lasting positive effects on student life."
We invite you to join Trane Technologies on the journey from sustainability aspirations to decarbonized impact.
Read our latest Sustainability Report
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