THE POWER BEHIND UT
Every classroom. Every lab. Every residence hall. Every athletic facility. Every corner of the Forty Acres relies on the energy and utilities we deliver.
At Utilities and Energy Management (UEM), we provide the essentials that keep UT Austin running safely, reliably, and efficiently — from electricity and chilled water to steam, deionized water, compressed air, and emergency power.
Electricity
We generate 100% of the main campus electricity at our on-site combined heat and power plant. This allows UT Austin to operate independently from the city’s grid, maintaining one of the most reliable electrical systems in the country — with only five campus-wide outages since 1964.
Chilled Water
Our district cooling system circulates chilled water through an underground network to every building on campus. From classrooms to labs, it keeps indoor spaces comfortable, efficiently regulating temperatures even during Austin’s hottest months.
Steam
Steam from the Hal C. Weaver Power Plant heats campus buildings and provides hot water for labs, kitchens, residence halls, and more. It also supports humidity control in research environments and museums, ensuring spaces meet the highest operational standards.
Deionized & Compressed Air
We produce specialty utilities like deionized water and compressed air for research, medical, and engineering applications — meeting the precise quality standards that advanced work demands.
Emergency Power
Safety and reliability are critical. Our backup systems provide power to essential facilities during unexpected interruptions, keeping research, teaching, and campus life moving without pause.
How We Work
UEM is organized into five key service areas:
Operations
Runs UT’s power plant, chilling stations, and utility distribution systems — delivering reliable energy to every building.
Distribution
Manages the underground network of pipes, tunnels, and circuits that carry electricity, steam, and chilled water across the Forty Acres safely and efficiently.
Power Systems, Controls & Operational Technology
Monitors and optimizes UT’s power and control systems using advanced technology for performance, safety, and reliability.
Engineering & Technical Services
Provides design, engineering, and technical expertise for utility projects — ensuring infrastructure is reliable and future-ready.
Finance & Administrative Services
Supports operations with planning, budgeting, and resource management — ensuring UEM delivers maximum value and accountability.
Powering Progress
By producing and managing our own utilities, UT Austin operates one of the nation’s most advanced district energy systems. This allows us to generate electricity and thermal energy more efficiently than traditional systems — saving energy, reducing costs, and lowering our environmental impact.
We also lead campus conservation efforts. Since 2012, energy use per square foot has dropped 17%, and water reuse programs have saved over 600 million gallons of water.
Our mission is simple: provide safe, reliable, and resilient utility and energy services to our campus community, with a commitment to stewardship and customer service.