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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The Roadmap to Zero: Decarbonizing Swarthmore's Energy Systems
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Climate change poses a grave threat to human health, safety, and well-being. Building on Swarthmore's mission to educate for the common good, the College seeks to model the transformation that …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Lots of Watts: Four Campuses Join Forces to Build a Giant Solar Farm
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
Large-scale renewable energy power purchase agreements can eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from purchased electricity, while saving money and mitigating energy price risk over time. However, most campuses are too small, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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What's the plan for LED lighting and it's environmental impact?
- Circadia Group (PA)
LED Lighting is here to stay and very soon you will not have another any other option to purchase. Many have come to know how beneficial the technology is in …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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A Case Study and Guide to Outreach and Engagement from UC Davis Facilities Energy & Engineering
- University of California, Davis (CA)
Communications and campus engagement around energy conservation projects at UC Davis is led by the Energy Feedback Team. Student interns are key members of the communications team; they run our …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leveraging Different Constituencies to Extend the Campus as a Living Lab Concept
- Connecticut College (CT)
Involving students in hands on sustainability projects on campus can drive both student learning and increased campus sustainability. However, limitations in student's schedules, availability of staff to work with students, …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Implementing the Renewable Energy Rider Program
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
In 2020, the University of Wisconsin-Madison partnered with its electric utility, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), to invest in a 10 megawatt (MW) solar development through the Renewable Energy Rider …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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From Brownfield to Habitat: Reclaiming a Site for Environmental Education
- Washington College (MD)
- Ayers Saint Gross (MD)
As the LEED rating systems have evolved from LEED 2009 to LEEDv4 and LEEDv4.1, LEED's bias for development in existing urban locations has become more apparent. How can smaller, more …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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GHG's and EIS: Automating the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Process
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
Universities nationwide have made impressive commitments to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gases that drive climate change. This has led to a variety of emission-tracking tools and methodologies, ranging widely …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Energy Challenge 2020
- University of Denver (CO)
The Energy Challenge is a month long initiative where The Center for Sustainability's Energy Team works to encourage students to reduce their energy use throughout the month. We do this …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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FOO[anaerobic]D Systems: Food Justice and the Future of Our [anaerobic] Digestion Systems
- University of Central Florida (FL)
A team of students from the University of Central Florida (UCF) have been working with campus, community, municipal, and private partners to pilot an anaerobic digestion (AD) system to divert …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Accelerating Just Energy Transitions by Inviting Faith Communities to the Table
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Pressures to solve the climate crisis through clean, inclusive energy transitions are intensifying. Scientific indicators and natural disasters draw perspective to how human suffering and environmental stresses breach ecological and …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Enlightened Education: Solar Engineering Design to Energize School Facilities
- Madison Area Technical College (WI)
This presentation will explore the potential for universities, colleges, and K-12 schools to implement solar electric infrastructure projects on their campus that also provide a learning environment and instructional opportunities …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Leverage Your Renewable Energy Impact Through Avoided Emissions Power Purchase Agreement Strategies
- Boston University (MA)
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- Edison Energy (CA)
Renewable energy procurement is a critical strategy for reducing an institution's greenhouse gas emissions, however not all renewable energy projects avoid the same amount of GHG emissions per kWh. With …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Planning and Progress Toward Carbon Neutrality, Year Two
- University of Dayton (OH)
- Rocky Mountain Institute (CO)
Despite widespread commitments to carbon neutrality, few campuses have published feasibility studies on these programs. Especially important to the climate impact of these goals is challenging assumptions around issues of …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Building Your Campus Energy Workforce: Opportunities for Students, Faculty and Staff
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Energy efficiency and renewable energy are exploding with interest from students while colleges and universities across the country are working to rapidly deploy both solutions. How can these interests be …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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Renewable Energy Procurement: Strategy Development and Stakeholder Engagement
- University of Dayton (OH)
- Edison Energy (CA)
- Stillwater Creek Solutions (OH)
The purpose of this session is to help institutions of higher education develop and execute on renewable energy strategies through offsite and onsite renewable energy procurement. Hear how the University …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
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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
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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
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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
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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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Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan
- Brock University (ON)
With the issuance of this revised energy conservation and demand management plan (ECDM), Brock University is re-affirming its commitment to energy conservation and sustainable operations. The conservation and demand management …
- 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
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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
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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
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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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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.