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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5 MW Solar Farm Installations
- Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY)
The 5-MW solar project consists of two solar arrays, each providing 2.5 MW of clean energy. Construction on the project began in 2016 with the first array (Route 14 in …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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515 kW Installations - Tutt Library
- Colorado College (CO)
The library includes a geothermal energy field on Armstrong Quad, consisting of 80 wells, a 115-kilowatt rooftop solar array; a 400-kilowatt offsite solar array; a green roof-top garden; and a …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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35 kW Ground Installation - Baca Campus
- Colorado College (CO)
A 35 kw solar array was installed at CC's Baca campus through work done by NSO Priddy Trips in 2015. The array was funded by an allocation of $50,000 from …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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200 kW Power Purchase - CU Solar Farm
- Missouri State University (MO)
While sunshine itself is free, the equipment to turn it into a usable source of power is not. The CU Solar Initiative provides customers the ability to more easily afford …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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48 kW Solar PV Array -- McCarthy Gymnasium / FDC
- University of St. Thomas (MN)
The McCarthy Gym array is part of the microgrid research facility and it is currently operating in "island mode."stss
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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Lehigh, Lafayette, Muhlenberg and Dickinson Join Forces for Unprecedented Renewable Energy Project
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
In February 2020, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College and Dickinson College announced a partnership to purchase renewable energy as a collective. Together, the four schools will purchase the largest …
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Publications
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Energy use and CO2 emissions in the UK universities: An extended Kaya identity analysis
- Florida International University (FL)
- Australian National University
- Kingston University London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- Universität Duisburg-Essen
We investigate the progress of the UK universities in greening their energy sources in line with the UK's goal of becoming a net-zero economy by 2050. Using the HESA estate …
- Posted May 28, 2021
- Publications
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Embodied, operation, and commuting emissions: A case study comparing the carbon hotspots of an educational building
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
- University of Florida (FL)
- University of Vaasa
- Jilin University
Building operational energy, mobility energy, and materials embodied energy contribute to a significant portion of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Buildings stand at the intersection of these three contributors and, …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Publications
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Virtual Energy Treasure Hunt Event
- Suffolk County Community College (NY)
In April 2021, Suffolk County Community College hosted our first US Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Treasure Hunt Event. The DOE describes the Treasure Hunt as “One of the best …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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Campus Energy-Efficiency Project (CEEP)
- University of Utah (UT)
$30M project on the Health Science Campus of the University of Utah, to use energy-efficiency to avoid the need for an expensive chilled water (CHW) plant expansion.
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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Brown University's Thermal Efficiency Project-2
- Brown University (RI)
Brown University is a 6.5 million sq. ft. research university campus founded in 1764 in Providence, Rhode Island. Its annual energy bill is $20 million. It serves 7,000 undergraduate students, …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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President's Sustainability Research Fellowship 20-21: Sustainable Space Utilization
- Swarthmore College (PA)
The 2020-2021 President's Sustainability Research Fellowship Sustainable Space Utilization project was conducted by Alex Flowers '21 over the 2020-2021 Academic Year. The purpose of the Sustainable Space Management project was …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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UIUC Solar Farm 2.0: Ultra-Sustainable on-campus solar array
- University of Illinois University Administration (IL)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
Referred to as “Solar Farm 2.0,” a new 54-acre, 12.32 megawatt (MWdc) utility-scale array is located on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus, north of Curtis Road, between First …
- Posted May 26, 2021
- Case Studies
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FY20 Energy-Efficiency Initiatives Project
- University of Utah (UT)
The first phase of a series of campus-wide projects to target carbon reductions.
The FY20 Energy-Efficiency Initiatives project targeted industry proven low-cost, fast-payback measures focusing on carbon neutrality and energy-efficiency. …
- Posted May 25, 2021
- Case Studies
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20 MW Solar Energy Purchase
- University of Utah (UT)
The University of Utah has made a PPA of 20 MW of off-site solar energy in Huntington, UT, set to begin delivery in early 2022. The University of Utah’s 25-year …
- Posted May 25, 2021
- Case Studies
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20MW Geothermal Power Purchase
- University of Utah (UT)
The University of Utah, through a partnership with Cyrq Energy and Rocky Mountain Power, has made a groundbreaking geothermal energy purchase. This contract will supply the University of …
- Posted May 25, 2021
- Case Studies
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Implications of Massachusetts Climate Policy for Smith College
- Smith College (MA)
Smith College has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. To meet this goal, Smith is considering transitioning its district energy system from steam heat generated with natural gas to …
- Posted May 21, 2021
- Publications
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Energy Efficiency Strategy
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Project Name: Energy Efficiency Strategy Name: Christian Stone Project Mentors: Elizabeth Drake, Domenic Porrini Project Board Members: Greg Brown, Jim Adams, Janet Semler, Andy Feick, Roderick Wolfson, Aurora Winslade Faculty …
- Posted May 21, 2021
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Energy Efficiency Strategy
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Project Overview
We began by providing a platform for all key stakeholders, including faculty, facilities and capital planning managers, and administrations, to have their perspectives considered through the interviewing process …
- Posted May 18, 2021
- Case Studies
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Bennington College Commons Renovation
- Bennington College (VT)
- Efficiency Vermont (VEIC) (VT)
Bennington College’s Commons building is the original center of its 1932 campus plan. This 45,120 square-foot renovation is the first substantial upgrade to the building since its inception. It reinforces …
- Posted May 18, 2021
- Case Studies
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Carbon Neutrality at Higher Education Institutions: A Case Study Analysis of Arizona State University
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Campus sustainability and the goal of reaching carbon neutrality have become a major trend among many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) globally, and many of them have taken public pledges to …
- Posted May 4, 2021
- Publications
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Energy Efficiency Improvement in K-12 Schools: A Case Study in Florida
- Florida Institute of Technology (FL)
K-12 schools are responsible for over 1.4% of the total annual energy consumption in the United States. In a collaboration between Florida Institute of Technology and Brevard Public Schools (BPS), …
- Posted April 22, 2021
- Publications
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Maximizing the Financial and Environmental Benefits of Distributed Energy Resources
- New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability (NJ)
- GridMarket (NY)
AASHE member, GridMarket, partnered with the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability for a "lunch and learn" in December 2020. The webinar summarized current opportunities for higher education campuses …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Funding community sustainable development using zero energy buildings
- Millersville University (PA)
This paper aims at bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks for community sustainable development and descriptive-only case studies by using a case study to demonstrate a conceptual model or framework …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Publications
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Green FSC: Creating a Sustainable Campus
- Florida Southern College (FL)
Colleges and universities account for more than 1.5% of US total annual emissions: understanding how individual institutions can become more sustainable is critical in tackling the existential threat of global …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winnner Ceremony 2020
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Palo Alto College (TX)
- Smith College (MA)
- Southwestern University (TX)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of Dayton (OH)
- University of Sydney (NSW)
- University of Strathclyde
- University of Coimbra
- Carlos III University of Madrid
The AASHE Sustainability Awards provide global recognition to the individuals and organizations leading the higher education sustainability movement. On Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 a virtual ceremony honored the 11 winners …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Energy Engineering Minor
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
In the Energy Engineering minor, students develop a foundation in the engineering and policy behind energy. Energy engineers are leading the way to a cleaner, safer future across the globe. …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Energy Conversion Graduate Certificate
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)
Energy conversion is a discipline that spans across three departments: Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical & Nuclear Engineering. Interest is rising for practical applications in the housing industry to supply houses …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering Minor
- Clarkson University (NY)
This minor emphasizes that all engineering disciplines are necessary to develop and assess technologies to both increase the efficiency of our energy use and advance renewable and alternative energy sources. …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Business of Energy Certificate
- Clarkson University (NY)
The energy industry needs a new generation of business leaders and innovators to help meet the growing need for clean, reliable energy. Clarkson's Business of Energy, Advanced Certificate program equips …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable and Renewable Energy (BS)
- Illinois State University (IL)
The Sustainable & Renewable Energy major addresses real-world social, economic, and technical sustainability issues. These issues are often encountered across a wide-range of careers.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Energy Minor
- San Jose State University (CA)
The minor in Sustainble Energy is offered by the Department of Environmental Studies. The minor requires a minimum of 23 units across courses in physics, energy policy, and solar energy.
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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Energy and Environmental Management (MS)
- University of Connecticut (CT)
The Master of Energy and Environmental Management (MEEM) is a revolutionary online graduate program that empowers you with the knowledge to produce immediate social benefits through direct real-world action. UConn's …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
- Academic Programs
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A Novel Approach For Evaluating The Impact Of Fixed Variables On Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Installations Using Enhanced Meta Data Analysis Among Higher Education Institutions In The United States
- University of Texas at El Paso (TX)
The global demand for electric energy has continuously increased over the last few decades. Some mature, alternative generation methods are wind, power, photovoltaic panels, biogas and fuel cells. In order …
- Posted Oct. 23, 2020
- Publications
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Better Buildings Challenge Learnings: 3 Ways to Reduce Energy Use on Campus
- Evolution Energy Partners (PA)
Universities across the country are committing to reduce their energy usage to save money, create jobs, and avoid significant emissions of CO2. By joining the Better Buildings Challenge, universities commit …
- Posted Oct. 23, 2020
- Publications
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Methods and Effects of Mechanical Ventilation, Ultraviolet Light and Bipolar Ionization on Airborne and Surface Borne Pathogens
- Evolution Energy Partners (PA)
The advent of SARS-CoV-2, the strain of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, has changed the way building owners and operators must look at treating the air in their buildings. In …
- Posted Oct. 23, 2020
- Publications
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Central New Mexico Community College, Main Campus Detention Basin
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
Photos # 1 & 2 Description: This detention basin slows and filters stormwater that drains from a large parking lot located at CNM Main Campus, near University Avenue. It also …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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Central New Mexico Community College Westside Campus Solar Array & Energy Storage System
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
Contractors commission the tracking equipment at the Westside Campus Solar Array & Energy Storage System. Students in the CNM Electrical Trades Photovoltaic Concentration Program stand by to learn. It was …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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UMass Amherst Clean Energy Corps
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
Clean Energy Extension students review and photograph architectural plans for an elementary school they are assessing, as well as present their findings.
- Posted Oct. 15, 2020
- Photographs
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Washington and Lee University Individualized Energy Dashboard for Students
- Washington and Lee University (VA)
2020 Sustainable Campus Index submission - Washington and Lee
Individualized energy dashboards for students - Following the installation of Lucid Energy Dashboards and submeters on upper division housing, Washington & …
- Posted Oct. 15, 2020
- Photographs
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University of Alabama at Birmingham Solar Community and Microgrid
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
In 2019, the University of Alabama at Birmingham opened its Solar House and Sustainable Neighborhood, featuring the Urban Multisource Microgrid and the the UAB Surviv(AL) house, built for the 2017 …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Colorado State University SCI 2020 Pictures
- Colorado State University (CO)
Several photos are attached that highlight sustainability initiatives at Colorado State University for the 2020 CSI including food recovery, student engagement, solar arrays, and a living wall.
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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American University Solar Installation
- American University (DC)
Photo Submission for the 2020 Sustainable Campus Index.
In this image, contractors install solar panels on the School of International Service at American University in Washington, DC. American University uses …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Arizona State University Solar
- Arizona State University (AZ)
The solar program at Arizona State University has over 50 MWdc equivalent of combined solar generating capacity from both on-site and off-site installations. More than half of total capacity is …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Ball State University Geothermal Energy System
- Ball State University (IN)
Ball State University’s geothermal conversion project replaced the university's now decommissioned coal-fired boilers and chilled water equipment with the nation's largest ground-source geothermal district energy system. This system simultaneously produces …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
- Photographs
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Central Community College - Hastings Wind Turbine for SCI 2020
- Central Community College (NE)
SCI Overall Top Performer, Associates Institutions
The long- and near-term Central Community College action plan is to provide students and the community with a campus-wide living learning laboratory for resiliency …
- Posted Oct. 13, 2020
- Photographs
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Appalachian State University Campus
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State's wind turbine overlooks the Boone, NC campus.
- Posted Oct. 8, 2020
- Photographs
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Cal Poly SLO Gold Tree Solar Farm
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
Large-scale solar farm and laboratory - The recently completed 4.5 megawatt Gold Tree Solar Farm at California Polytechnic State University is currently the largest solar array in the CSU system, …
- Posted Sept. 29, 2020
- Photographs
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University of Wisconsin-Madison - Charter Street Heating & Cooling Plant
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Image of UW-Madison's Charter Street Heating & Cooling Plant
- Posted Sept. 29, 2020
- Photographs
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ASHRAE Guidelines & Solutions for University Energy Programs Going Forward
- Weber State University (UT)
- AASHE (MA)
- DLR Group (WA)
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing university energy and sustainability teams to overcome new challenges in managing energy costs and reaching reduction goals. All three course delivery formats, in-person, remote, and …
- Posted Sept. 24, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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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.