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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A Systemic, District‑Wide Approach to Scope 1 and Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas Reduction (FY22–FY25)
- San Jacinto College (TX)
Over a four‑year period, San Jacinto College District implemented a systemic, data‑driven strategy to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its multi‑campus portfolio. Rather than …
- Posted Feb. 12, 2026
- Case Studies
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From Frameworks to Practice: Identifying Sustainable IT Metrics for Higher Ed
- Central Washington University (WA)
- McGill University (QC)
- AASHE (MA)
- HP (CA)
The Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector’s growing carbon footprint and escalating electronic waste pose significant challenges to global sustainability efforts. Recent analyses estimate that ICT now contributes 2.1%–3.9% of global …
- Posted Feb. 4, 2026
- Videos & Webinars
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Oberlin College and Conservatory’ s Sustainable Infrastructure Program
- Oberlin College (OH)
- Ever-Green Energy (MN)
Oberlin College and Conservatory’s (the College) Sustainable Infrastructure Program (SIP) was an initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025, and has energized future climate action on campus and in the …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
- Case Studies
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Software-Only HVAC Optimization at Lilac Hall: A Scalable Model for High-Impact Campus Energy Efficiency
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
In an era of rising energy costs and increasingly ambitious climate commitments, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) partnered with KenergyAI to transform the energy performance of Lilac Hall through a …
- Posted Feb. 2, 2026
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Students Advance Carbon Neutrality at Northern Michigan University: Early Progress, Engagement, and Lessons Learned
- Northern Michigan University (MI)
Northern Michigan University is making steady, measurable progress toward carbon neutrality, demonstrating a campus‑wide effort with meaningful environmental and social impact. Two years into implementing its 2050 Carbon Neutrality Plan, …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
- Case Studies
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Transforming Campus Energy Infrastructure from Steam to Low-Carbon Energy at Humber Polytechnic
- Humber Polytechnic (ON)
Project SWITCH is a campus-wide energy infrastructure transformation at Humber Polytechnic’s North Campus that replaced a legacy steam-based heating system with a low-temperature hot water energy network designed to enable …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2026
- Case Studies
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Integrated Energy Resilience: Education, Infrastructure, and Community Benefit
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Southern Oregon University’s recently completed energy resilience project at the Hawk DIning Building and and Lithia Motors Pavilion (The Hawk and Lithia Solar and Energy Resilience project) represents a transformative …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2026
- Case Studies
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Georgetown University – Building Energy System Optimization I
- Georgetown University (DC)
- ENGIE (TX)
- Ecosystem Energy Services
Georgetown University’s Building Energy System Optimization I (BESO I) project was a comprehensive initiative that transformed campus energy infrastructure, improved efficiency, and advanced sustainability goals. Launched in 2021, the project …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2026
- Case Studies
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The Urban Resilience Fellows Program: Bridging Higher Ed and Municipal Innovation
- University of Texas at Arlington (TX)
The Urban Resilience Fellows Program is a pioneering interdisciplinary initiative that connects UT Arlington students and faculty with local government and industry partners to develop innovative solutions for North Texas' …
- Posted Jan. 15, 2026
- Case Studies
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Updates to the Inflation Reduction Act per the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Deloitte Consulting LLP (TX)
Join the IRA and Resources Discussion community of practice as we welcome Bryant Katta and Travis Gordon from Deloitte to learn how recent updates to the Inflation Reduction Act under …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Solar Power Purchase Agreement Advances RE at Colorado State University
- Colorado State University (CO)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
In 2021, CSU signed a PPA with Solaris Energy, Inc. who in turn contracted with a third-party vendor to install 20 new solar PV systems. This project was developed through …
- Posted Sept. 17, 2025
- Case Studies
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A Ground Source Heat Pump Solution for Colorado State University
- Colorado State University (CO)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Colorado State University (CSU) installed a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system to provide heating and cooling to its 420,000-square-feet Moby Athletic Complex. The Moby Complex contains an 8,000-seat basketball …
- Posted Sept. 15, 2025
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Greenhouse gas accounting for investment portfolios: quantifying financed emissions at a public research university
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
As the urgency of climate change grows, higher education institutions are increasingly accounting for, and reporting, their annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. An often-overlooked source of GHG emissions are those …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2025
- Publications
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Inflation Reduction Act geothermal/Ground Source Heat Pump 1 page case study
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
This document provides information about The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Sonnentag Center Ground Source Heat Pump/geothermal system submission for the tax incentives set up by the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Posted Aug. 25, 2025
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Duke University Sustainable Infrastructure
- Duke University (NC)
Duke University Carbon Neutrality Journey
2025 SCI
- Posted Aug. 25, 2025
- Photographs
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Sustainable energy
- Mohawk College (ON)
Mohawk College Energy Systems Engineering Technology student, Madi, measures the energy captured by a solar panel on the roof of Mohawk College’s Joyce Centre for Partnership & Innovation. The Joyce …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2025
- Photographs
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Librarian Anna Kelly shows off one of our rental bikes!
- Clarkson University (NY)
Librarian Anna Kelly shows off one of our rental bikes!
- Posted Aug. 18, 2025
- Photographs
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Electricity saving behavior in student dorms: What message framing works?
- Prince of Songkla University (Songkhla)
Electricity consumption contributes largely to climate change. Inefficiently overused amounts of electricity can be reduced through low-cost feedback and nudges. We chose to frame different messages to alter the electricity …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Benchmarking energy consumption in universities: A review
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (Santa Catarina)
Universities have an important role towards a sustainable future. It is essential to understand their energy consumption and how to improve their efficiency. This paper aims to review the literature, …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Favourability towards natural gas relates to funding source of university energy centres
- Columbia University (NY)
Methane is 28 to 86 times more potent as a driver of global warming than CO2. Global methane concentrations have increased at an accelerating rate since 2004, yet the role …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Environmental Impacts of Energy Saving Actions in an Academic Building
- Tecnológico Nacional de México/Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo
- Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí
Global warming and climate change effects have been of such impact that several countries around the world are enforcing public policies to mitigate them. Mexico has shown a strong commitment …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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When Searching for Cost-Saving Measures, Colleges Go Green
- Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)
Community colleges are cutting energy costs and promoting sustainability through efficiency upgrades, supported by state funding, utility rebates, and behavioral changes. These efforts have led to millions in savings, reduced …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
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Savings from solar energy exceeds University’s expectations
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Penn State’s solar energy purchasing agreement with Lightsource bp has significantly outperformed expectations, saving the university an estimated $2.5 million in energy costs, over four times the original two-year projection. …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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Commercializing University Energy Innovation – A Case Study of OptiGen
- Duke University (NC)
Universities are key sources of technological innovation, yet many promising discoveries never reach commercialization. This project examines the early-stage commercialization process through the case study of OptiGen, a power generation …
- Posted Aug. 13, 2025
- Publications
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UConn Wins Connecticut's GreenerGov Award
- University of Connecticut (CT)
The State of Connecticut recognized the University of Connecticut with a GreenerGov award in 2025. The event celebrates the exceptional efforts of State Agency staff and agency Senior Sustainability Officers …
- Posted Aug. 11, 2025
- Photographs
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Wave energy and the power of Lake Superior
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
Craig Hill's research focuses on the waves on Lake Superior and beyond to better understand how wave conditions are changing, and how coastal communities can better prepare for a future …
- Posted July 29, 2025
- Photographs
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Solar panel installation at American University Bender Arena
- American University (DC)
Workers install solar panels in a new solar panel installation at American University in Washington DC in 2025.
- Posted July 24, 2025
- Photographs
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Amherst College Climate Action Messaging
- Amherst College (MA)
Amherst College aims to decarbonize its campus by 2030 through a transformative modernization of its energy system from a fossil fuel based steam system to an electric, low temperature hot …
- Posted July 22, 2025
- Photographs
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Energy Efficiency
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Between 2002–2003, when the first energy efficiency measures were implemented, and 2023–2024, the energy intensity of the Université de Sherbrooke’s buildings was reduced by 46%. This substantial decrease played a …
- Posted July 22, 2025
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York University - Aerial views of campus
- York University (ON)
York University - aerial views of campus
- Posted July 14, 2025
- Photographs
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University of Minnesota Morris: Cows & Solar Panels
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
University of Minnesota Morris photograph submitted for SCI 2025.
- Posted July 1, 2025
- Photographs
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GRITS Sustainability Project Management & Tracking Platform
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
GRITS is a platform to help institutions plan, analyze, track, and share the energy, financial, and carbon impacts of their sustainability projects. It also enables institutions to access and learn …
- Posted June 25, 2025
- Tools
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Posted June 6, 2025
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Transformative Education: Changing How We Teach Energy Efficiency by Leveraging the Creative Arts
- Pratt Institute (NY)
- AASHE (MA)
In a world besieged by environmental and social crises caused by the overconsumption of fossil-fuel based energy usage, the need for swift and effective action on energy efficiency has never …
- Posted May 12, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Shut the Stash Sticker
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Chemical fume hoods used in research laboratories use up to 3.5 times the amount of energy as a single family house each day. Since Penn has over 1,000 fume hoods …
- Posted May 5, 2025
- Photographs
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Expanding Experiential Learning with an Energy Efficient House
- University of Dayton (OH)
At the University of Dayton, the Hanley Sustainability Institute (HSI), housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, employs students, staff and faculty as sustainability leaders on campus and in …
- Posted April 28, 2025
- Case Studies
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University of Dayton Hanley Sustainability Institute: Energy Assessment Bootcamp
- University of Dayton (OH)
Energy may oftentimes be an intimidating topic for those who are not directly immersed in the field. In reality, energy is not always as complex as it seems, and when …
- Posted April 28, 2025
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Earth Day Solar Field Dedication and Campus Clean-up at Gustavus Adolphus College, MN
- Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
ST. PETER, Minn. (April 22, 2025) — Gustavus Adolphus held a ribbon cutting Earth Day, Tuesday 4.22, to celebrate the launch of the Gustavus Solar Field, a new on-campus 1.1 …
- Posted April 28, 2025
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UMD Office of Sustainability Intern Teaches Solar Energy
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Office of Sustainability Outreach and Events Intern, Michelle, teaches UMD students about solar power at EarthFest 2025.
- Posted April 28, 2025
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Earth Day Festival Smoothie Bike
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Student rides the smoothie bike at the UT Earth Day festival to learn about clean energy.
- Posted April 28, 2025
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University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)’s Green Fee Board evaluates student sustainability awareness and engagement through their Campus Sustainability Survey
- University of Alaska Anchorage (AK)
University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)’s Green Fee Board evaluates student sustainability awareness and engagement through their Campus Sustainability Survey
Sustainability awareness and engagement are imperative for creating a greener campus. …
- Posted April 8, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for Infrastructure, Utilities, and Grounds
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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Climate Risks and Resilience at Dickinson College: Strategies for Continuity of Operations
- Dickinson College (PA)
Prepared for Building Climate Resilience at Dickinson and in Central Pennsylvania, an initiative of Dickinson College, the Borough of Carlisle, and Cumberland County, PA, as part of Dickinson’s Baird Sustainability …
- Posted April 3, 2025
- Publications
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Inflation Reduction Act Lessons Learned
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- AASHE (MA)
- Deloitte Consulting LLP (TX)
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers higher education institutions an unprecedented opportunity to receive cash refunds ranging from 6% to 70% of qualified clean energy investments. In this webinar, Deloitte …
- Posted March 26, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Has the 1990s' "First Principle of Sustainability" Been Effective?
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
The success of energy efficiency innovations is usually not dependent on the technical attributes themselves, but rather on the attitudes of engineers and users who are satisfied with the status …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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EPA's Newest Effort to Advance Campus Energy Performance
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
This session will delve into EPA's newest effort to compare and recognize the energy performance of higher education buildings. The effort, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, relies on …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Leveraging IRA Incentives for Campus Decarbonization
- KPMG (NY)
In the evolving landscape of higher education, sustainability has become a cornerstone for institutional development and social responsibility. Please join KPMG subject matter experts for an engaging presentation and discussion …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Power Shift: How Ten Campuses Shifted to 100% Renewables
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Wake Forest University (NC)
Many campus carbon neutrality goals are on the horizon. And yet, many campuses have also struggled to make significant progress. Renewable energy has emerged as the most cost-effective way to …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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Achieving Net-zero Energy Through LACCD's Digital Twin Meta-Tech Initiative
- Los Angeles Community College District (CA)
- Jacobs, Inc (TX)
The greatest challenge of the 21st Century is global climate change. The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) is the Nation's largest community college district covering approximately 900 square miles, …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
- Conference Presentations
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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.