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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500 kW Solar Canopy: Eastside 2 Parking Structure
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Completed in fall 2020, the new parking structure at CSU Fullerton is a state-of-the-art facility that is a mirror image of the existing structure IPD designed and completed in 2010. …
- Posted Feb. 24, 2022
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From Waste to Fuel: An Interactive Introduction to Community-Based Biodiesel Production
- John Brown University (AR)
- Springboard Biodiesel (CA)
Making biodiesel from waste oils, locally, is a community-based act of collaboration and empowerment that has a significant positive impact on the environment and saves money on any institution's fuel …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Building a Clean Energy Revolution in Your Community - Solar Ambassadors Bring Solar to Nonprofits
- RE-Volv (CA)
RE-volv helps empower people to bring solar energy to nonprofits in their communities. Through our Solar Seed Fund, community-serving nonprofits can go solar for zero down and save 15% or …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Going Big on Renewables: How to Kick-Start Renewables With Second Nature's Pro Bono Consulting
- Davidson College (NC)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
Do you want to go big on renewables but you don't have the funds to get started, or need a way to get traction with internal stakeholders? In 2020, Second …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Designing Buildings for Future Climate Realities
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- Arup (NY)
The University of California launched the Designing Buildings for Future Climate Realities project to optimize buildings and infrastructure to the changing climate in which they will be operating. Standard industry …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Accelerating Big Levers of Change: Heat Trading, Ground Source Heating and Cooling, and Carbon Pricing - Second Nature Solution Center
- Carleton College (MN)
- Stanford University (CA)
- Brailsford & Dunlavey (DC)
We have the tools to solve climate change today. The challenge is how to deploy these solutions fast enough, at a large enough scale and in a way that promotes …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Taking Action on Sustainability Commitments Using IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
- Clemson University (SC)
- Duke Energy (NC)
The future will require ingenuity and innovation as well as capital to move the needle on sustainability commitments. The past decade has clearly demonstrated that our previous capitalization and decision-making …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Setting a Path for Elimination of Carbon Emissions through Electrification of Natural Gas Equipment
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford University has reduced its carbon emissions by 69% from peak levels in 2011 and is on track to achieve 80% reduction in the next year through procurement of 100% …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Renewable Energy and Carbon Offset Discussions: Peer to Peer Strategy Share
- Chatham University (PA)
- University at Buffalo (NY)
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)
Renewable energy and carbon offsets are key components for decarbonization and therefore higher education institutions must develop sourcing strategies both to be good stewards to their community and planet as …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Is Carbon Neutrality the Right Goal? Lessons From Leaders in the Second Nature Carbon Commitment
- Smith College (MA)
The most important number in climate policy is zero – we need to achieve global carbon neutrality as quickly as possible to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Nearly …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Grassroots to Green Energy: How Five Students Brought Five Acres of Solar to UW-Platteville.
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (WI)
- McKinstry (WA)
While hundreds of United States colleges and universities have signed the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments, HOW to actually start and land renewable energy projects within the complex, frequently cash-strapped world …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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What's in Your Toolkit? Laboratory Efficiency for Cutting Edge Labs
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (CO)
Cutting-edge research often hosts hazards that must be contained effectively to maintain a safe work environment for researchers. As a result, laboratories are complex buildings that can be challenging and …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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How To Decarbonize With Renewable Natural Gas
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Vanguard Renewables (MA)
- ONE Gas (OK)
Many colleges and universities have set aggressive carbon neutrality targets and are struggling to find practical ways to meet the numbers. As colleges move toward reducing their carbon footprint by …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Electrification, Distributed Energy Solutions and Campus Economics - Re-Targeting Our Commitments!
- Clemson University (SC)
- Davidson College (NC)
- Duke Energy (NC)
The future is.... all about ELECTRIFICATION, DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND CAMPUS ECONOMICS. As we re-evaluate our commitments to sustainability, we must turn from broad goals to actionable strategies to make …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Shaping the Future with Heat-Free Print Technology
- Epson America (CA)
Institutions of higher learning are uniquely positioned to lead by example on environmental issues. One way to do this is by investing in heat-free printing technologies that reduce energy consumption …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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COVID or Us? Interpreting GHG Emission Reductions Amid a Pandemic While Improving Energy Efficiency
- Bemidji State University (MN)
Located in Northern Minnesota, Bemidji State University (BSU) operates within a dispersed, rural, and diverse community. With a longstanding commitment to carbon reduction, BSU has strategically partnered with the university's …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Additionality: How to Ensure Your Renewable Electricity Procurement Strategy Has Real Climate Impact
- University of Dayton (OH)
Many higher education institutions are pursuing active decarbonization programs to demonstrate climate leadership. A key element in these programs is eliminating the climate impact of an institution's electricity procurement, which …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Studying Plug Load Savings from Idle Devices in Unoccupied Buildings during the Pandemic
- Stanford University (CA)
During the pandemic, some unoccupied buildings at Stanford were reaping less electricity savings than expected. In these particular buildings, heating and cooling had been turned off, and all occupants were …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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CSU Building Decarbonization: A Framework for Decarbonizing Existing Fossil Fuel Infrastructure on Higher Education Campuses
- California State University, Chancellor's Office (CA)
- Glumac (OR)
The California State University (CSU) provides high quality, affordable and inclusive public higher education throughout California. The CSU system has made significant strides to reduce its impact on the environment …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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Supporting a Circular Food Economy: Converting Inedible Scraps Into Renewable Energy and Beneficial Fertilizer
- Kent State University (OH)
- InSinkErator (WI)
- Quasar Energy Group (OH)
More than one third of the food produced today is lost or wasted, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Here in the United States, the …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
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12.3 MW Pollinator Friendly Solar Farm
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign marked the completion of its 12.3-MWdc solar farm by planting native pollinator habitat on the 54-acre site.
The project is the second solar farm constructed …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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473 kW Rooftop Mount Student Services Building and Student Recreation Center
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
UC Riverside is expanding its access to on-site renewable energy with the installation of solar panels on two campus buildings.
Workers have been installing panels on the Student Recreation Center …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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2.4 kW Rooftop Mount Keppel Carriage House
- Hope College (MI)
A solar power project by engineering students at Hope College is charging landscape equipment and electric golf carts.
A small 2.4 kW photovoltaic system was installed on top of the …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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470 kW Roof Top Mount Kirby Sports Center
- Lafayette College (PA)
Installation of solar panels began June 1 on the sun-soaked roof of Kirby Sports Center. The approximately 470-kilowatt (kW) solar array will power operations at Kirby. The solar installation is …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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50 kW Wind Turbine: Bjorklunden
- Lawrence University (WI)
A 50kw Endurance wind turbine at Bjorklunden, our nature preserve and lodge in Door County, WI, installed in October 2011 and commissioned December 8th 2011. The turbine provides up to …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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20 kW Rooftop Mount Hiett Residence Hall
- Lawrence University (WI)
A 20kw solar pv array on Hiett Residence Hall, which provides as much as 90% of the building's electricity demands on peak days. This solar array was installed in July …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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72 kW Rooftop Mount Stanton Hall
- Whitman College (WA)
Whitman College has solar arrays on Bratton Tennis Center, Cleveland Commons, and Stanton Hall.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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58 kW Rooftop Mount Cleveland Commons
- Whitman College (WA)
Whitman College has solar arrays on Bratton Tennis Center, Cleveland Commons, and Stanton Hall.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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21 kW Rooftop Mount Bratton Tennis Center
- Whitman College (WA)
Whitman College has solar arrays on Bratton Tennis Center, Cleveland Commons, and Stanton Hall.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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4 kW Rooftop Mount E-House
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
IUB has solar photovoltaic systems installed and on the grid on top of four buildings. The E-House system is rated at 4 kW.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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2.1 kW Rooftop Mount Indiana Memorial Union
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
IUB has solar photovoltaic systems installed and on the grid on top of four buildings. The Indiana Memorial Union system is rated at 2.1 kW.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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23.15 kW Rooftop Mount Briscoe Quadrangle
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
IUB has solar photovoltaic systems installed and on the grid on top of four buildings. The Briscoe Quadrangle system is rated at 23.15 kW.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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5 kW Rooftop Mount IU Art Museum
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
IUB has solar photovoltaic systems installed and on the grid on top of four buildings. The Indiana Memorial Union system is rated at 2.1 kW; the Briscoe Quadrangle system is …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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17 kW Ground Mount Hastings Campus
- Central Community College (NE)
The Hastings Campus has a 17 kilowatt ground-mounted tracking solar system south of the Merrick Building.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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1.7 MW Wind Turbine Hastings Campus
- Central Community College (NE)
A partnership between CCC, Bluestem Energy and the City of Hastings led to completion of a 1.7-megawatt wind turbine in December 2016 on the Hastings Campus. When operating, this turbine …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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2 kW Solar Thermal EcoDorm
- Warren Wilson College (NC)
Warren Wilson College’s (WWC) EcoDorm serves as the newest residence hall housing 36 students. Some of the most notable features of the building are its tight envelope, use of sustainable …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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2.6 MW Solar Array
- Houghton College (NY)
The solar array enables Houghton College to put faith into action by practicing responsible stewardship of God’s creation. Not only does the array provide clean energy, but it also saves …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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127 kW Rooftop Solar Thermal Mount Engineering and Science Building
- Binghamton University (NY)
In 2013, the University was awarded a High Performance Energy Efficiency award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the construction of the Engineering and Science …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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16.3 MW South Campus Large Solar Power Plant
- University of California, Davis (CA)
UC Davis took a major step forward in securing affordable renewable energy for the campus with the South Campus Large Solar Power Plant. The plant finished construction and began producing …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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125 kW Rooftop Mount Student Union
- San Jose State University (CA)
125kV solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the Student Union are estimated to generate 100,000 kWh annually. All electricity from the panels is generated and used onsite.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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756 kW Rooftop and Parking Lot Solar
- University of California, Davis (CA)
In January 2012, the campus "flipped the switch" on solar photovoltaic installations on various central campus building rooftops and a parking lot; the installations total 756 kW of production capacity, …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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3.8 MW Roof Top Mount Village Market
- Kenyon College (OH)
Students from Kenyon College's Solar Power Systems class flipped the switch on the campus' newest solar power array, which was installed on the south-facing roof of the Village Market.
The …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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19.2 kW PV Solar Array Kenyon Farm
- Kenyon College (OH)
The Kenyon Farm hosts a 19.2 kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic solar array which is mounted to the western side of the barn. The project was developed by the Office of Green …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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81 kW Roof Top Mount Kresge Centennial Hall
- Northwestern University (IL)
Originally constructed in 1954, Kresge Centennial Hall was renovated to create a modern, comfortable, healthy, and green work and study environment for students, faculty, and staff. Renewable energy was also …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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25 kW Pole-Mounted PV Systems Crop and Animal Research and Education Center
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Since 2010, the UMass Amherst Crop and Animal Research and Education Center in South Deerfield, MA, has been home to a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array. The 106-panel, 25-kilowatt PV is …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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336 kW Solar Canopies: Robsham Visitor Center
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
In 2015, the university installed three large solar photovoltaic parking canopies at the Robsham Memorial Center for Visitors, which are capable of producing an estimated 330,000 kilowatt hours of power …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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5.5 MW:15,000+ Solar Panels on 5 Buildings & 2 Parking Lots
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
In 2017, UMass Amherst installed over 15,000 photovoltaic panels across campus, providing 5.5 megawatts (DC) of clean electrical power for the campus to use for a heavily discounted rate. The …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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56.1 kW Roof Top Mount Science and Engineering Building
- College of Lake County (IL)
CLC has 187 solar PV panels (56.1 kW) on its Science and Engineering Building. 5,127 kWh of electricity was produced in 2019.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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540 kW Roof Top Mount: Donald E. Young Center
- Black Hills State University (SD)
Donald E. Young Sports & Fitness Center: 540.36 kW DC - 1,422 solar panels
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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36 kW Roof Top Mount Facilities Services Building
- Black Hills State University (SD)
Facilities Services Building: 35.64 kW DC - 108 solar panels
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
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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.