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.
Featured Resources
New Resources
Pathways to eliminate carbon emissions via renewable energy investments at higher education institutions
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark Campus (NJ)
Higher education institutions are among the many public and private sector entities that have committed to long-term sustainability goals in response to the threat of climate change. A key challenge ...
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Market Assessment of Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Laboratories
- My Green Lab (CA)
- San Diego Gas & Electric (CA)
- Southern California Edison (DC)
- Pacific Gas and Electric Company
A combination of market research, online surveys, in-person interviews, and a broad literature review of previous industry reports was used to estimate the potential for energy efficiency in laboratory facilities ...
- Posted April 28, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Determining key drivers of efficient electricity management practices in public universities in Southwestern Nigeria: An empirical study
- Obafemi Awolowo University
- City University of Hong Kong
- Federal University of Technology Akure
University campuses are one of the major consumers of electricity. Therefore, it is important to investigate factors related to electricity saving. This study aims to examine the key drivers in ...
- Posted April 28, 2022
- Publications
- View more
A Solar Market Pathway for Independent Colleges in Virginia
- Shenandoah University (VA)
- Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
- Roanoke College (VA)
- Bridgewater College (VA)
- Randolph College (VA)
- Virginia Union University (VA)
- Hampton University (VA)
- Hollins University (VA)
- Ferrum College (VA)
- Emory & Henry College (VA)
- Mary Baldwin University (VA)
- University of Lynchburg (VA)
- Appalachian School of Law (VA)
- Marymount University (VA)
- Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (VA)
- Washington and Lee University (VA)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
The Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) was founded in 1971 and currently operates as Virginia Private Colleges, a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization representing 28 accredited nonprofit independent ...
- Posted April 28, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Earth Fest 2022
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
River Falls, WI Community Celebrates Sustainability Over 1,000 people gathered in Glen Park on Sunday, April 24th despite cold and windy conditions to experience Earth Fest 2022. The event ...
- Posted April 28, 2022
- Photographs
- View more
Sustainable design of Cornell University campus energy systems toward climate neutrality and 100% renewables
- Cornell University (NY)
In this paper, the sustainable design of carbon-neutral energy systems is addressed, considering earth source heat, lake source cooling, on-site renewable electricity generation, and sustainable peak heating systems. The electricity ...
- Posted April 25, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Capturing Energy Savings from Correcting VAV Box Minimums on Campus
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The Office of Sustainability at UC Berkeley leads energy and water saving campaigns on campus and has set the goal to reduce energy use intensity by an average of at ...
- Posted April 25, 2022
- Publications
- View more
Energy Efficiency Reserve
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Consistent with the intent of the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) and Ameren’s BizSavers program, Washington University’s Energy Efficiency Reserve provides a dedicated funding source for energy ...
- Posted April 8, 2022
- Green Funds
- View more
Student Green Energy Fund
- University of South Florida (FL)
The Student Green Energy Fund was launched in 2011 to support the University of South Florida's commitment to reduce and eventually eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the Tampa campus ...
- Posted April 1, 2022
- Green Funds
- View more
Recalculating Sustainability: A Fresh Lens on Energy Efficiency, Technologies and Financing Trends
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- Duke Energy (NC)
- AASHE (MA)
- TLC Engineering Solutions (FL)
A new era in sustainability commitments begins with a roadmap on the clean energy transformation journey. As with any great journey, careful planning is essential to make certain that you ...
- Posted March 31, 2022
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Life Cycle Analysis in Greenhouse Gas Emission Reporting: Capturing the Whole Picture
- Polytechnique Montréal (QC)
Polytechnique Montréal produced what we believe is the most comprehensive carbon footprint reporting of any higher learning institution by using a life cycle analysis (LCA) approach. Many institutions have pledged ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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 800 ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Interactive Urban Planning Sustainability Tools
- Millennial Cities
Millennial Cities is an interactive web mapping site that provides access to important maps, data, and web mapping applications related to climate change, social justice, the environment, and more. The ...
- Posted Jan. 5, 2022
- Tools
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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 ...
- Posted Dec. 17, 2021
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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
- Green Power Projects
- View more
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.