College of Charleston Embarks on Energy Modernization Project
Facilities Management is improving campus infrastructure, starting with targeted upgrades to the campus Central Energy Plant and the chilled water system.
Beginning Monday, July 20, the College of Charleston Facilities Management team will begin preliminary work necessary for a large-scale upgrade project of the Central Energy Plant on campus.
The project will temporarily shift the Central Energy Plant’s chilled water system, which creates and circulates water to cool buildings campuswide, to mobile chiller units. This work will modernize the Central Energy Plant and increase the capacity of the chilled water system.
The first phase of work is centered on three campus locations: Central Energy Plant (78 Coming St.), Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center (58 Coming St.) and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Building (202 Calhoun St.).
Mobile chillers on large trailers will be positioned outside of Rita Liddy Hollings Science Center (Rita) and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES). The mobile chillers will remain in place for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
Temporary impacts during the delivery of the mobile chillers include:
- Closure of the Rita and SNES parking lot(s) will occur during delivery only. Lots will remain open after delivery of the chiller units.
- Closure of sidewalks near the corner of Calhoun Street:
- Calhoun Street sidewalk closure will be July 22–31, 2026.
- Coming Street sidewalk closure will be July 20, 2026–July 20, 2027.
Other temporary disruptions, including isolated power outages and chilled water outages for select campus buildings, are expected to occur in early August. Impacted campus community members will be notified via campus email from Facilities Management.
Project updates will also be posted on The Hub.
