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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Engage Your Climate Action Toolbox: Renewable Energy, Carbon Offsets and Renewable Natural Gas
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)
The clock is ticking to greatly reduce carbon emissions to avoid the worst of a climate catastrophe. These negative impacts will affect everyone, not just those who are emitting the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Navigating Options for Scaling-Up Campus Renewables: PPAs, Onsite, Offsite, Leases, & More
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
- University of Wisconsin-Parkside (WI)
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (WI)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
The renewable energy marketplace is opaque and complex. Onsite solar, community solar, offsite wind and solar, direct ownership, lease, utility partnerships, third party PPAs? What's legal? What's prohibited? Navigating this …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Middlebury College Shifts Toward all Renewable Energy with Innovative farm to fuel Partnership
- Middlebury College (VT)
- Vanguard Renewables (MA)
- Vermont Gas Systems (VT)
Middlebury College will significantly reduce its carbon footprint and move toward meeting its Energy2028 goal of 100% renewable energy, thanks to an innovative partnership with Goodrich Family Farm in Salisbury, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Are Campuses Making Progress on Their Climate Goals?
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
- Second Nature (MA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
- Brailsford & Dunlavey (DC)
The University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute's 'Sustainability Indicator Management & Analysis Platform' (SIMAP) has greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory data from nearly 500 campuses. Working with Brailsford & Dulnavey, CustomerFirst …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Building Energy Quotient, A Fresh Perspective on Sustainability and Engagement in Universities
- ASHRAE (OR)
- Hanson Professional Services (FL)
The ASHRAE Building Energy Quotient (Building EQ) program empowers facility owners to understand their building's energy performance in comparison to facilities of the same type in the same climate zone. …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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A Dynamic (Electrification) Partnership
- Wells College (NY)
In partnership with Medley Thermal, Wells College provides a testbed for dynamically electrifying the College's boiler system. Dynamically electrifying our thermal load will significantly reduce Scope 1 emissions in the …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Energy Immersions: multi-disciplinary trips exploring energy transitions, communities, and justice.
- Dartmouth College (NH)
A critical role of sustainability in higher education is to prepare the next generation of leaders to enact just transitions in food, transportation, health, industrial, and energy systems. Enacting system …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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GeoX - Lowering carbon through ground source heat pump technology at Colorado State
- Colorado State University (CO)
Colorado State University, in Fort Collins, CO has undertaken its first project to employ geothermal energy, also called ground source heat pump or geoexchange system. This CSU project, dubbed GeoX, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Energy Management During a Global Pandemic
- University of Dayton (OH)
COVID-19 shutdowns and reopenings present new challenges and opportunities for the energy management profession. Generally, this has included reducing energy consumption during campus shutdowns, modifying facilities to accomodate new COVID-19 …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Data-Driven Campus Energy Management: the ENERGY STAR Higher Education Benchmarking Initiative
- Kentucky Community and Technical College System Office (KY)
- University of Chicago (IL)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
This webinar will dive into the inaugural round of the ENERGY STAR Higher Education Benchmarking Initiative, or HEBI. Nearly 200 campuses representing nearly 100 institutions in the United States and …
- Posted Nov. 9, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Clean Energy Master Plan
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Campus Challenge Partner under the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) REV …
- Posted Oct. 6, 2021
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Strategic Energy Plan
- California State University, Long Beach (CA)
California State University, Long Beach currently has 96 buildings on its campus spread over 323 acres with a total approximate square footage of 4,400,000. The Campus has executed numerous energy …
- Posted Oct. 6, 2021
- Publications
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Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal: Lessons for institutional climate action from U.S. higher education
- Hamilton College-Clinton.NY (NY)
- Smith College (MA)
- Ceres (MA)
Climate action pledges have increasingly taken the form of commitments to net carbon neutrality. Higher education institutions (HEIs) are uniquely positioned to innovate in this area, and over 800 United …
- Posted Oct. 6, 2021
- Publications
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Florida Tech Alumni Center
- Florida Institute of Technology (FL)
Florida Tech Alumni Center - The Folliard Alumni House at Florida Institute of Technology received a makeover in 2020, and was re-engineered as a zero-energy facility. The new center features …
- Posted Oct. 5, 2021
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How to green your lab
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- My Green Lab (CA)
- São Paulo State University
Research labs are often wasteful, making use of unrecyclable materials, always-on equipment and environmentally dangerous chemicals. This webcast, for scientists at all levels, will draw upon the expertise of speakers …
- Posted Sept. 28, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Calvin Energy Recovery Fund (CERF)
- Calvin University (MI)
The Calvin Energy Recovery Fund (CERF) is a revolving fund used to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions on campus. Plus, the cost savings from CERF projects are …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2021
- Green Funds
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Campus Sustainability Investment Fund
- Santa Clara University (CA)
The Campus Sustainability Investment Fund (CSIF) is an internal fund that provides financing to implement energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability projects that generate emissions reductions and cost savings. …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2021
- Green Funds
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Green Campus Fund
- George Washington University (DC)
Established by a gift from the class of 2007, the Green Campus Fund is a part of the endowment. It supports initiatives designed to conserve energy and promote a more …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2021
- Green Funds
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Renewable Energy Fee Fund
- Hope College (MI)
As the costs associated with purchasing renewable energy certificates (REC) have come down over the years, surplus funds from the Renewable Energy Fee have become available to students via the …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2021
- Green Funds
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Student Green Innovation Fund
- Yale University (CT)
The goals of the Student Green Innovation Fund are: To invest in innovative, student-led projects that result in direct energy use reductions on campus and/or projects that broadly impact climate …
- Posted Sept. 21, 2021
- Green Funds
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The Albert Sherman Center at UMass Chan Medical School
- UMass Chan Medical School (MA)
The Albert Sherman Center, a nine story 512,000 square-foot research and education building at UMass Chan Medical School, is certified LEED Gold.
- Posted Sept. 15, 2021
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State-of-the-art mechanical systems at UMass Chan Medical School
- UMass Chan Medical School (MA)
Efficient mechanical systems at UMass Chan Medical School including chilled beams and energy recovery wheels.
- Posted Sept. 15, 2021
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Bates College students install solar on their coastal research facility.
- Bates College (ME)
Bates College students install solar on their coastal research facility. This facility is now 100% solar thanks to the work of the students.
- Posted Sept. 8, 2021
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Bentley Arena
- Bentley University (MA)
Bentley Arena, the nation's first LEED Platinum certified standalone ice arena.
- Posted Sept. 8, 2021
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SCI 2021: University of Utah Geothermal Contract
- University of Utah (UT)
Long-Term 20 MW Geothermal Power Purchase and Rate Tariff Leadership: The long-term 20 MW Geothermal Power Purchase and Rate Tariff Leadership project began supplying the University of Utah with 20 …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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Farm Animals Among Solar Panels at PCC Rock Creek
- Portland Community College (OR)
Talisman the guard llama and other farm animals graze between the solar panels at Portland Community College's Rock Creek campus.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
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Lightsource bp Module Installation
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
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Nittany 3 Solar Farm - Southern View
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
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Nittany 3 Solar Farm
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
- Photographs
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Nittany 1 Solar Farm
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
70-MW Solar Power Purchase Agreement - Pennsylvania State University partnered with solar developer Lightsource bp on a 70-megawatt, off-site solar energy project to supply about 25% of the University's electricity …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
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The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
The Kendeda Building - The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Institute of Technology is the first building in Georgia to earn Living Building Challenge certification. The Kendeda …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
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Managed Print Program at American University
- American University (DC)
SCI 2021 Feature: Ditching Desktop Printers
A campus-wide Managed Print Program at American University is streamlining the print process and reducing costs associated with energy usage and waste. Since this …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
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L'Anse Community Solar Project
- Michigan Technological University (MI)
L'Anse Community Solar Project - A team of engineering researchers and students from Michigan Technological University worked with local and state partners to bring solar to the Community of L'Anse, …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
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CSUDH 1MW/4 Hr Battery Storage
- California State University, Dominguez Hills (CA)
Large-Scale Battery Storage - California State University, Dominguez Hills recently installed one of the largest behind-the-meter battery storage systems in Southern California, which currently provides demand response services that net …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2021
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Dickinson College Achieves Carbon Neutrality
- Dickinson College (PA)
Carbon Neutral 2020 - Dickinson College attained carbon neutrality in 2020, reaching a goal that was established in 2007. Dickinson reduced GHG emissions by increasing energy efficiency of the campus, …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2021
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43.8 kW Roof Top Mounts Multiple Locations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
Three rooftop solar installations on campus totaling 43.8 kw at the Frank Porter Graham Student Union, Bell Tower Parking Deck, and North Carolina Botanical Garden’s Education Center.
- Posted July 20, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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45 MW PPA Exoplexus
- Macalester College (MN)
We purchase our renewable energy from a 45MW solar PV grid in Minnesota. It is owned by Ecoplexus and fed into Xcel Energy's portfolio.
- Posted July 20, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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4.5 mW Carport Canopies
- California State University, Long Beach (CA)
The rows of high-reaching solar panels will provide 4.5 megawatts and supply one-third of the campus’ energy demands during peak periods. The new system also will add 44 electric vehicle …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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2 mW PPA: Off-Site Solar Farm
- Clark University (MA)
2 mW, 9 acre solar farm off-site in Charleton MA for which Clark receives the exclusive alternative PPA credits.
Through a state and federally supported program to encourage the development …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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42 kW Alpine Garage and Field
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)
There is a 42kW system on the Alpine Garage and Field. UCCS retains 17/42 of the attributes.
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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182 kW Gallogly Events Center
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)
As of 10/3/2017, the University’s largest, on-site solar system was installed on Gallogly Events Center. It is a 182 kW photovoltaic system and it allows the Gallogly Events Center to …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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6.5 kW: Facilities Management Building
- California State University, Sacramento (CA)
Sac State installed a Photovoltaic (PV) system with a new car port located behind the Facilities Management building during the 2001-02 time frame. The car port is 108 Ft. long …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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614 kW Solar Arrays - 4 Installations
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
Georgia Tech is a large user of power but we reduce the associated impacts by incorporating solar energy into many of our buildings. In total there are over 4,000 solar …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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120 kW: Ivy Stacks Building
- University of Virginia (VA)
The UVA-owned Ivy Stacks solar array was designed and installed by Sun Tribe Solar and aims to support the University’s sustainability and carbon-reduction goals.
The solar array came online in …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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364 kW: Ruffner Hall and the Bookstore to Dominion Power
- University of Virginia (VA)
The university says the solar panel systems – one atop Ruffner Hall and the other at the University Bookstore – consist of 1,589 solar panels, each one about 3 by …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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126 kW: Clemmons Library Roof Installation
- University of Virginia (VA)
In 2017 a 126 kW solar PV array was installed on the roof of Clemmons Library.
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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15 kW: Skipwith Hall
- University of Virginia (VA)
In 2016, a 15 kW solar PV array was installed on Skipwith Hall.
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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3 MW Power Purchase
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson's Solar Field is a 3-MW solar facility constructed on Dickinson property. Dickinson purchases electricity from the solar field through a power purchasing agreement with Tesla.
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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11 kW Array Cassat-James Residence Hall
- Carleton College (MN)
A 10.6 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) panel array was installed on the Cassat-James roof as part of this residence hall construction project in 2009. Electricity production averages 10 MWh per …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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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.