On Aug. 28 Governor Ned Lamont visited UConn Health’s Outpatient Pavilion to discuss the innovative technology set to be deployed on the Farmington campus to bolster the state’s efforts for delivering energy cost savings and reducing its carbon footprint.
Lamont was joined by his collaborators UConn President Radenka Maric, UConn Health CEO Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, Connecticut Innovations CEO Matt McCooe, UConn Health Vice President of Facilities Development and Operations Eric Kruger, and Budderfly CEO Al Subbloie.
The innovative Ultra High Performance (UHP) heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system being installed at UConn Health is made by the Shelton-based company Budderfly.
The company is partnering with UConn Health and Connecticut Innovations, the state’s strategic venture capital arm, to deploy and test this technology’s benefits in a 12-month pilot project program with the goal of achieving net zero emissions at the state’s academic medical center’s Creative Child Center.
The pilot program is funded by Connecticut Innovations through the Governor’s Innovations Lab. It is the latest initiative and investment by the State of Connecticut as it aims to achieve a zero-carbon electric supply by 2040.
At the celebratory event, newly returning CEO of UConn Health, Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, applauded the team of Connecticut collaborators and Governor Ned Lamont sharing, “We are so thankful for being given the opportunity of this pilot program. We hope to lower energy costs and reduce our carbon-footprint. There is benefit for our organization for savings, but most important it is for the future of our planet.”
UConn President Radenka Maric agrees: “This pilot is such an important milestone for our University. One of our strategic goals is how to address climate change. We are going to make the planet a better place.”
“I am so proud of being part of this project,” added Connecticut Innovations CEO Matt McCooe. “They want to reduce the cost of government. This project is going to do that.”
Eric Kruger, vice president of facilities development and operations at UConn Health concluded, “It’s really a true privilege to be part of this Connecticut initiative.”
Budderfly CEO Al Subbloie shared, “I’m a Connecticut person who cares. We reduce carbon to save the world.”
Subbloie added, “We’re excited. We will be measuring the pilot project’s benefit and return on investment. We hope to roll-out in a larger manner.”
The Governor applauded the upcoming impact of the pilot project collaboration and the innovative technology of Budderfly.
“It’s a big deal for our energy grid and energy prices,” Lamont said.
The Governor also applauded UConn Health and its returning CEO Agwunobi too.
“Not bad Andy, you’ve been back 90 days and you’re saving on costs and the planet,” Lamont said smiling about the UConn Health CEO.
Lamont also shared how, “There can be extraordinary efficiencies when it comes to energy. We can invest and save around the state.”
The Governor also shared that he is in discussions with the innovative energy company Budderfly and CT Innovations on what the state can do in the future for homeowners too.
Lamont concluded, “The research over at UConn is going to be a big piece.”
