Georgetown University

Sustainable Utilities Partnership

As part of its ongoing work to promote sustainability on campus, Georgetown University has joined forces with Georgetown Energy Partners, an entity comprising ENGIE North America (ENGIE) and Axium Infrastructure (Axium). ENGIE brings deep energy-sector expertise to modernize and manage the university’s utility systems. Axium provides exceptional financing resources to enable major infrastructure improvement projects.

The partnership has three overarching goals: 1) maintain safe and efficient operations of Georgetown’s utility infrastructure; 2) fund and implement sustainable modernization projects while supporting the university’s efforts in environmental stewardship; and 3) engage the Georgetown University community in these operational and stewardship activities.

Reduce

energy-use intensity
by 35% by 2031

Increase

share of renewable
energy usage

Mitigate

carbon footprint

Environmental Leadership

Georgetown University strives to lead by example – embarking on bold projects that demonstrate how universities can enhance their sustainability efforts. Georgetown Energy Partners anticipates that the projects it undertakes will reduce overall energy-use intensity by 35 percent by 2031. Expertise and expanded capabilities provided by the partnership will support more sustainable energy and water efficiency projects on campus and provide long-lasting environmental benefits for years to come.

Sustainability at Georgetown ›

Utility Infrastructure Enhancements

Under the collaborative arrangement, ENGIE and Axium will help modernize the university’s infrastructure, including the utility, distribution, monitoring, and control systems. Analyzing data collected from a network of smart meters across campus will allow the university to significantly improve its energy system. This data-driven approach will be central to helping Georgetown achieve a 35% reduction in energy use intensity. Georgetown Energy Partners will identify and help the university implement and invest in new solutions and operational efficiency improvements.

Our latest projects ›

Broad Engagement for Communitywide Benefit

Georgetown Energy Partners aligns with the university’s mission to advance the common good through engaged scholarship, teaching, and service. In this spirit, the partnership creates opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to contribute to energy-related projects on campus in ways that align with the university’s research, scholarship and teaching efforts. Students exploring careers in the energy sector and its affiliated fields will benefit from working alongside industry veterans from ENGIE, particularly through the Georgetown Energy Partners Internship Program.

Academic Collaboration ›

Electric icon

Big.

Georgetown University’s energy infrastructure delivers 123,202,860 kilowatts of electricity and 805,453 MBtus of natural gas annually.

Scale icon

Balanced.

The university owns the energy infrastructure and retains control over capital improvement decisions. ENGIE operates the campus utilities and works daily with Georgetown’s Engineering, Facilities and Project & Design teams.

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Built on Expertise.

Projects will benefit from ENGIE and Axium’s global experience, their successful partnerships with other higher-ed institutions, and from advanced analytics, which will inform infrastructure decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Georgetown Energy Partners?
Georgetown Energy Partners is a partnership entity formed by ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure to sustainably operate and improve campus energy and water systems at Georgetown University under a 50-year agreement.
What is the basis of the partnership agreement?
Under the agreement, ENGIE will assume responsibility for the enhancement, operation, and maintenance of the systems that heat, cool and distribute power and water to the university’s Washington, D.C. campus existing buildings. ENGIE and Axium will invest and implement various capital improvement projects, which will reduce energy and water use and modernize critical infrastructure. Throughout the term, Georgetown will continue to own its energy infrastructure and retain control over capital improvement decisions.
What is the service area covered by the new partnership?
The projects undertaken by Georgetown Energy Partners covers both the Main Campus and existing buildings downtown and in the Law School Campus.
Why was the term set at 50 years?
A long-term agreement is essential for partnerships of this nature, so that the parties can take a holistic approach to infrastructure modernization, energy efficiency and capital investment planning.
How will the partnership help Georgetown meet its sustainability goals?
The partnership will enable significant upgrades to Georgetown’s major utility, distribution, monitoring, and control systems that will help reduce the university’s Energy Usage Intensity (EUI) by 35% and contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and water usage. By partnering with ENGIE, a global leader in energy services, Georgetown will be able to chart the most effective and cost-efficient paths to minimize its impact on climate change.
Will the partnership sell electricity or natural gas to Georgetown?
No, the University will continue to buy directly from its existing providers. ENGIE will work to enhance Georgetown’s usage-efficiency of electricity, natural gas, and other energy sources.
How will the partnership engage and provide opportunities for students, faculty and staff?
Georgetown Energy Partners will leverage ENGIE and Axium’s presence on campus to benefit and engage the broader university community. Students will gain real-world experience and connections with industry practitioners through the partnership’s internship program. Faculty will be able to bolster their lesson plans with guest lectures and data from interconnected energy systems. And all campus community members will have an opportunity to contribute to open forums on new initiatives. To further promote a culture of sustainability on campus, the partnership will also support the university with a variety of sustainable energy themed events.
How do Georgetown and ENGIE partner on capital projects?
ENGIE works daily with Georgetown’s Capital Projects, Design, Engineering and Facilities teams to identify collective best practices and to establish integrated processes. Capital projects have an ENGIE Project Manager and Georgetown Project Owner to ensure collaboration and integration from design all the way to maintenance.
PartnershipAbout ENGIEAbout Axium

About the Partners

Georgetown Energy Partners is a partnership entity formed by ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure to operate and improve campus energy systems at Georgetown University. The 50-year partnership with the University is the latest in a series of collaborations between ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure, which began in 2017. Previous energy collaboration successes include concessions at The Ohio State University and at the Longwood Medical Area in Boston.

ENGIE North America

As a power generator, energy services company, and retail electricity supplier, ENGIE North America is the only company that delivers comprehensive, integrated services across the entire energy value chain. This makes ENGIE a preferred provider to universities, cities, healthcare providers, and other social infrastructure entities. ENGIE’s business strategy focuses on delivering safe, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable energy solutions that meet customer needs over the long term. Nearly 100% of the company’s power generation portfolio is low carbon or renewable.

Axium Infrastructure Inc.

Axium Infrastructure is an independent portfolio management firm dedicated to generating long-term investment returns through investing in core infrastructure assets. Axium focuses on assets supported by robust market demand that are under long-term contract with creditworthy counterparties. Since 2010, the firm has invested in a diversified portfolio of over 165 North American infrastructure assets. As of May 31, 2021, Axium had approximately US$5 billion in assets under management, as well as over US$1 billion in co-investments.

Documents & Resources

University Announcement ›

Partnership Press Release ›

Improvement Projects ›

Contact Us

This website will be updated as more information becomes available about Georgetown Energy Partners and its upcoming projects. If you have questions about the partnership, please fill out the contact form below.