University of Dayton, GE Aviation EPISCenter

Dayton, Ohio

Firm

Hastings+Chivetta Architects

Client

University of Dayton

Area

142,430 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$41,825,000

Completion Date

07/2013

The new Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center (EPISCenter) is a cooperative effort between General Electric’s Aviation Division and the University of Dayton (UD) Research Institute. The facility allows UD students to work together with Fortune 100 GE researchers to create new advanced electrical power technologies, such as new power systems for aircraft, longer-range electric cars and smarter utility power grids for more efficient delivery of electricity.

The new building houses a four-story, 51,000-square-foot administrative wing and a 91,430-square-foot high-bay wing designed for a world-class electrical power laboratory. Unique among research facilities, the center is able to simulate and test complete electrical power systems for airplanes, with enough space to accommodate the complete fuselage of a Boeing 777. Maximum security is required for some of the research areas, which are secured from public access.

When in full operation, the facility pulls more power than the entire UD campus. However, careful planning and design for reducing energy consumption, minimizing heat creation and maximizing heat capture and reclamation earned the facility LEED Gold certification.