Energy
Introduction
For most institutions, energy consumption is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global climate change. Implementing conservation measures and switching to renewable sources of energy can help institutions save money and protect them from utility rate volatility. Renewable energy may be generated locally and allow campuses to support local economic development. Furthermore, institutions can help shape markets by creating demand for cleaner, renewable sources of energy.
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Weatherizing Together: Finding Effective Community Partnerships
- Furman University (SC)
Is your school planning on or already implementing a home weatherization program? Have you found community partners for your program? Furman University's home weatherization program, the Community Conservation Corps (CCC), …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Community Impacts Through Energy-Efficient Housing Education
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
The Energy Efficient Housing Research Group (EEHR), an outreach arm of the Hamer Center for Community Design, is a conduit between high-performance housing research and housing stakeholders. EEHR connects multidisciplinary …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Divestment: How Public Universities Can Defund Climate Change
- University of North Carolina, Asheville (NC)
This presentation addresses widely held beliefs regarding institutional investors, specifically higher education's approach to investments, and provides a review of methods of fossil fuel divestment campaigns across the country. By …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Closing the Food Loop
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
As a group of student from three different universities and a diverse range of interests, we all noticed that there were many problems with the current food system. To start, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Agrivoltaic Arrays: Cultivating the Future of Renewable Energy
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Agrivoltaics' combines the terms, 'agriculture' and 'photovoltaics' to create a symbiotic relationship between food and renewable energy. The vast majority of solar energy generated comes from solar farms. However, as …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Creating Campus Revenue Streams to Support Sustainability Initiatives
- Brown University (RI)
- Ithaca College (NY)
- Michigan State University (MI)
- Ecosystem (QC)
Educational institutions across North America are aiming to reduce both energy spend and GHG emissions, with targets ranging from 10%-50% by 2030, 2025, or even 2020. At the same time, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Contracting for Renewable Energy Procurement: Financing and Legal Strategies and Considerations
- K&L Gates (DC)
Colleges and universities are adopting aggressive sustainability targets and deadlines to reduce carbon emissions. To meet these targets, institutions have a range of options, including installing on-site energy generation and …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Getting to a Green Light: How to Build Organizational Buy-In for Large-Scale Renewable Energy
- Brown University (RI)
- Michigan State University (MI)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
This interactive and action-oriented session will provide insights and tools to update your understanding of renewable energy, map out critical stakeholders on campus, and translate the renewable energy opportunity into …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Renewable Energy for Campus Facilities Services
- Black Hills State University (SD)
Through our case study, we were able to demonstrate that a self-sustaining biodiesel program could be effectively operated on the Black Hills State University campus as well as potentially other …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Hitting Bumps in the Road to Renewables
- Connecticut College (CT)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
Almost every month it seems like a new renewable energy project is announced on a college campus, feeding a sense of urgency at those colleges and universities who have not …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Shifting to 100% Renewable Campuses and Communities
- Environment America (MA)
- CALPIRG Students (CA)
College and university campuses can lead the way toward a future powered by 100 percent renewable energy. With the effects of climate change growing ever more apparent, and with the …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Present & Future of the Open Energy Dashboard
- Beloit College (WI)
The Open Energy Dashboard needs your help! OED is a free, open source energy dashboard that continues rapid development with 8-20 student programmers per semester and an expanding user base. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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From Student Power to Renewable Energy: A New Approach to Investing in Solar
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Over the last year and a half, students at Southern Oregon University have worked to develop an innovative new approach to funding solar. Inspired by the power purchase agreement model, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Transitioning a 100-year Legacy of Campus Steam to 21st Century Geothermal
- Carleton College (MN)
Colleges and universities are leading the way on the next generation of energy solutions. Efficiency, decarbonization, and cost management are important elements of these programs, yet how we engage the …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus-Wide Change: Turn Down for Watt
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Northern Michigan University's EcoReps and Facilities Management hosted the first Turn Down the Lights campaign during Sustainability Week in March 2018. During this week, corridor lights were turned off in …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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How to Benchmark Your Building in Five Minutes or Less
- Atrius (CA)
As a management practice, benchmarking involves tracking building performance by regularly measuring key performance indicators such as energy use and periods of peak and low demand. Benchmarking then compares current …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Occupant Engagement and Centralized Controls: a Hybrid Energy Management Solution With Major Savings
- Keewi Inc. (CA)
Introduction: Plug loads (PL), devices plugged into wall outlets, comprise approximately 1/3 of electricity use of commercial buildings, and are expected to rise to 1/2 by 2030. Traditional PL reduction …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Using Sub-Metering to Prioritize and Measure Energy Management Projects
- Macalester College (MN)
Every institution faces limitations as it relates to spending money. These limitations can be on operating budgets, staffing levels, or both. It is paramount while operating within these limits to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Paying for Sustainable Development from Wasted Energy
- NORESCO (NC)
The World Green Building Council posits that green buildings support nine UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Public-Private Partnerships (P3) have become a popular mechanism for higher education institutions to transform …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Turning Energy Challenges into Solutions at Higher Education Facilities
- Constellation Energy (MD)
While budget cuts and finite resources can often act as hurdles to enacting energy efficiency improvements, these investments can produce long-term and unmatched benefits that significantly reduce overall energy expenses …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Infusing Energy Management with Classroom Scheduling
- Western Technical College (WI)
Western Technical College integrated its classroom scheduling software with its building automation system software in the summer of 2017. This project allows us to control the heating and cooling of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Student-Developed Energy Management Information System
- Macalester College (MN)
Like many other educational institutions, our college cares about the efficient use of energy and seeks ways to reduce its impact on the environment. We promote energy-wise behavior among students, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Creating a Successful Campus Temperature Policy
- Wesleyan University (CT)
Heating and cooling account for more than 60% of Wesleyan's energy and carbon footprint. In 2013, Wesleyan's Utilities Manager estimated that we could reduce our energy consumption 20%, or approximately …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Impact of Real-time Visual Feedback on Electric Consumption at Middlebury College
- Middlebury College (VT)
The typical associations with 'energy efficiency' are production oriented. However, in order to make a meaningful impact, these innovative production solutions need to be matched equally with creative ways to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Transforming Our Tomorrow - A New Clean Energy Vision
- University at Buffalo (NY)
- Trio (CA)
Whenever, I run into a problem I can't solve, I always make it bigger. I can never solve it by trying to make it smaller, but if I make it …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Scaling UP Renewable Energy Beyond Campus
- Cornell University (NY)
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
The Paris Agreement (at the moment) represents civilizations best path forward for global action and accountability of our collective reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. What happens when a significant …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Getting to 100% Renewable Electricity
- Colorado State University (CO)
- University of Denver (CO)
Colorado State University (CSU) signed the Climate Reality Pledge in January 2017 - pledging to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Since electricity is responsible for ~50% of CSU's GHG …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Off Site Solar - A Group Effort
- Amherst College (MA)
- Bowdoin College (ME)
- Smith College (MA)
- Williams College (MA)
Amherst, Bowdoin, Hampshire, Smith and Williams colleges-signed an agreement in February 2018 to purchase off-site renewable electricity. This agreement will facilitate the construction of a 'utility scale' solar power facility …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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A Billion Dollar Deal: Public-Private Energy Partnership Advances Campus Effort Beyond Efficiency
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- ENGIE (TX)
In July 2017, Ohio State launched an innovative approach to sustainably manage its building energy use, in a manner that will provide significant energy management knowledge and financial capital back …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Rising to Meet the Challenge of 100% Renewable Energy
- Boston University (MA)
- University of Richmond (VA)
- Trio (CA)
Campuses are increasingly looking to renewable energy as the most financially attractive strategy for making dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving their GHG goals. The costs of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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University of Denver's Renter Efficiency Program for Students
- University of Denver (CO)
The University of Denver's Renter Efficiency Program for Students offers free energy audits to students who are renting off campus houses or apartments. The goal of these energy audits is …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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The Upgrade Alternative: When Energy Upgrades Prove Cost Prohibitive, Microgrids Offer Another Path
- SimpliPhi (CA)
K-12 and higher education systems across the U.S. and beyond often struggle to upgrade or install energy efficient HVAC and other energy equipment in the face of shrinking budgets, escalating …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Piloting of a Hybrid Continuous, Live, Virtual, and Traditional Energy Audit Methodology
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
This poster showcases a comprehensive, student-driven energy efficiency study at Florida Gulf Coast University. This case study examines best practices for energy metering and benchmarking in a single campus building. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Estimating the financial feasibility and technical potential for solar PV on all U.S. schools
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
In 2016, approximately 64% of total electricity generated in the United States came from fossil fuel sources, while approximately 2% came from solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation. Due to this …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Bates College Conversion to Burn New Wood-Based, Liquid Fuel in Central Steam Plant
- Bates College (ME)
Bates College has begun burning a new, wood-based liquid fuel in its central steam plant - the first college in the country to do so. This new fuel, called Renewable …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Reduce Peak Demand and Increase Grid Stability With On-Site Energy Storage
- Austin Community College (TX)
The Austin Community College District (ACC) has installed a 72kW energy storage system on their Eastview campus. The grant funded battery project, known as Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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So You've Got Energy Meters - Now what? Dealing With the Other Challenges to Getting Energy Data
- Amherst College (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
- Williams College (MA)
It's hard to manage what you don't measure, and this is especially true with energy. We are strong believers in the role energy data analysis plays in helping us identify …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Step Changes in Climate Action: Data-Driven Plans to Decarbonize Campus Energy Systems
- Amherst College (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
- Introba (CA)
Answering the call to address the climate crisis is one of the central themes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Colleges and universities have been working to deploy energy …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Developing an Energy Strategy for Sustainability to meet Climate Action Planning Goals
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Stone House Group (PA)
As ideas related to sustainability continue to grow on college campuses, college administrators and facilities directors look to develop plans that align campus infrastructure and facilities to fulfill sustainability goals. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Campus Central Plants - Assets or Liabilities in Achieving Carbon and Resiliency Goals
- Pratt Institute (NY)
Pratt Institute along with many other Colleges have central plants that provide power and HVAC to campus buildings. How do these plants fit into the new carbon restrained world with …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Achieving SDG Targets: The European Approach: Compliance - The Case of Energy & Irish Universities
- Chatham University (PA)
- Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
Ireland, as a nation, has signed up to the SDGs. The main drivers in reaching these targets will be through a set of interventions that are encompassing - legislation - …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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How Knowledge Can Create a Culture of Sustainability
- Gonzaga University (WA)
- Atrius (CA)
In the United States, buildings account for nearly 70 percent of electricity consumption. According to the EPA, up to 30 percent of electricity is inefficiently or unnecessarily used. In light …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Making Positive Impacts With Zero Energy Buildings
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- Millersville University (PA)
- Spillman Farmer Architects (PA)
Zero Energy buildings generate all the energy that they need onsite from renewable sources. Getting there requires significant energy efficiency, onsite renewable energy generation, ongoing occupant engagement, and performance-based energy …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Green Nerds in FM: Building Automation Strategies to Support Sustainability Goals
- Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
Efficient use of energy is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable and clean energy. While many building systems efficiency improvements require a capital …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Optimizing Sustainability Over a Building's Lifecycle
- AKF Group (NJ)
From the U.S. Department of Energy Website: 'The higher education sector spends over $6 billion on annual energy costs and totals about 5 billion square feet of floor space.' Higher …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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State of Sustainability in Higher Education: Charting a Course for Continued Success
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- Gordian (SC)
Facilities leaders have invested a great deal of effort and financial resources towards pursuing the ideals enumerated in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Transforming Existing, Iconic, Landmark Buildings Into Modern, High-Performance Buildings
- Duquesne University (PA)
- AUROS Group (PA)
The challenge most universities face today is modernizing building performance (high indoor environmental quality and low energy consumption) cost effectively, while preserving the image of iconic structures dedicated to learning. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Green Globes Certification: A Practical Approach for Sustainable Campuses
- University of Florida (FL)
- Green Building Initiative (OR)
Green Globes is an affordable and practical, yet comprehensive nationally recognized sustainability certification for commercial and multifamily buildings. The Green Globes platform was modified and developed through the public, collaborative, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Evolving Building Sustainability: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Framework Principles
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
- University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
Buildings consume 40% of energy globally. As buildings are continuously enhanced to be more sustainable and healthy, a number of strategies have been employed to achieve energy reduction targets. This …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Computer Networks Doing Their Part to be Sustainable - New Industry Standards
- The Sextant Group (PA)
College and University planners are challenged by the exploding demand for data services, as more and more devices are added to campuses. Administrators and students are asking whether this trend …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 5: Building Energy Efficiency
- Total performance year site energy consumption per unit of floor area
- Total performance year source energy consumption per unit of floor area
- Percent reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline
- Description of initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency
- Description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution
- Description of LED lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies
- Description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies
- Description of co-generation employed by the institution
- Description of initiatives to replace energy-consuming equipment with high efficiency alternatives
- Website URL - Energy conservation and efficiency program
OP 6: Clean and Renewable Energy
- Percent of total energy consumption from clean and renewable sources
- Website URL - Clean and renewable energy programs
- Percent of electricity from coal
- Percent of electricity from geothermal
- Percent of electricity from hydro
- Percent of electricity from natural gas
- Percent of electricity from nuclear energy
- Percent of electricity from solar photovoltaic
- Percent of electricity from wind
- Percent of electricity from wind
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.