Technical Tours
Expand your knowledge and attend on site tours of Austin facilities on the cutting-edge of technology and environmental practices.
University of Texas at Austin Energy Center
Tuesday, June 23, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Discover the power behind UT! The Utilities and Energy Management (UEM) generates their own reliable and cost-effective electricity, chilled water, steam, deionized water, compressed air, and emergency power for the entire campus of The University of Texas at Austin, with nearly 60,000 students, faculty, and employees.
UT has produced their own power for nearly a century, and operates one of the nation’s most advanced district energy systems, which generates electricity and thermal energy more efficiently than traditional systems — saving energy, reducing costs, and lowering the environmental impact. Since 2012, energy use per square foot has dropped 17%, and water reuse programs have saved over 600 million gallons of water. Learn more.
UT has produced their own power for nearly a century, and operates one of the nation’s most advanced district energy systems, which generates electricity and thermal energy more efficiently than traditional systems — saving energy, reducing costs, and lowering the environmental impact. Since 2012, energy use per square foot has dropped 17%, and water reuse programs have saved over 600 million gallons of water. Learn more.
Visitors touring the UT Austin Power Plant (Carl J. Eckhardt Combined Heat and Power Complex) see how the university operates its own self‑contained utility system, including large‑scale turbines that generate electricity and steam, chilling stations that produce and store chilled water for campus cooling, and control rooms where operators monitor systems around the clock. Stops on the tour include: 
• Operations
• Distribution
• Power Systems, Controls & Operational Technology
• Engineering and Technical Services
This walking tour highlights UT’s campus microgrid, which can operate independently from the city grid to maintain high reliability, as well as the sustainability benefits of combined heat and power generation, where waste heat is reused to improve efficiency. Overall, the tour shows how the university functions like a small, resilient city, delivering power, heating, and cooling to millions of square feet of academic, research, and residential space.
Closed-toe shoes are required and hearing protection will be provided inside the plant.
Register by June 15. Cost $50. Includes transportation to and from the JW Marriott Hotel.
• Operations
• Distribution
• Power Systems, Controls & Operational Technology
• Engineering and Technical Services
This walking tour highlights UT’s campus microgrid, which can operate independently from the city grid to maintain high reliability, as well as the sustainability benefits of combined heat and power generation, where waste heat is reused to improve efficiency. Overall, the tour shows how the university functions like a small, resilient city, delivering power, heating, and cooling to millions of square feet of academic, research, and residential space.
Closed-toe shoes are required and hearing protection will be provided inside the plant.
Register by June 15. Cost $50. Includes transportation to and from the JW Marriott Hotel.
