About the Big Shift

UC Davis is undertaking a massive change to its heating infrastructure to shift away from fossil-fuels and toward renewable energy sources. Following the successful conversion of the Quad district, Big Shift construction is taking a huge step, installing a hot water heat recovery and storage system, which will immediately and significantly reduce the university's natural gas consumption. This phase of the Big Shift also includes the conversion of the Sprocket District, which covers the western campus core including the Segundo and Regan residence halls, the Student Health and Wellness Center, the ARC, the University Credit Union Center, and a handful of classroom and lab buildings. To facilitate this conversion, more hot water pipes will be installed and more building infrastructure will be updated. This phase of the project is broken up into four parts. Learn more and see project progress below.

Learn more about the Big Shift

• Hot Water Distribution 

• This part of the project encompasses the installation of new hot water pipes in the Sprocket District. See where pipes will be installed and get a more detailed look of project progress.

  Design Status	100%
  Construction Status	0%
  Completion Date	August 2027
  Project Cost	$37M

• Building Conversion

• This part of the project encompasses the conversion of infrastructure of buildings within the Sprocket District. See progress broken down by building.

  Design Status	85%
  Construction Status	0%
  Completion Date	Dec. 2026
  Project Cost	$25M

• Hot Water Heat Recovery and Storage

• This part of the project encompasses the installation of heat recovery chillers and a thermal energy storage tank.

  Design Status	30%
  Construction Status	0%
  Completion Date	TBD
  Project Cost	$55M

• Wastewater Treatment Plant Demolition

• This part of the project encompasses the demolition of an old, inactive wastewater treatment plant to make room for the hot water heat recovery and storage infrastructure. Through the demolition, below ground structures will be removed and the area will be infilled and leveled.

  Design Status	50%
  Construction Status	0%
  Completion Date	TBD
  Project Cost	TBD

More information

Big Shift Interactive Map

See completed, active and upcoming construction in this color-coded, interactive construction map

Fossil Fuel-Free Pathway Plan (FFFPP)

The Big Shift plays a major role in the university’s plan to move away from fossil fuels. Learn more about the FFFPP.