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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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
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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Posted June 6, 2025
- Photographs
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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
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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
- Case Studies
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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
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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
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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
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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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Drilling Through the Carbon Barrier for Campus Decarbonization
- Boston University (MA)
- Tufts University (MA)
- BR+A (MA)
- Salas O'Brien (CA)
Many institutions pursuing carbon neutrality are running into challenges of cost and scale. While procuring renewable energy can address emissions associated with campus electricity, decarbonizing heating and cooling loads requires …
- Posted Feb. 28, 2025
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Enhancing Experiential Learning with On Campus Residential Energy Assessments
- University of Dayton (OH)
The Student Neighborhood at the University of Dayton (UD) is a unique living arrangement for students to live in a mini “neighborhood” located on campus surrounded by their peers. UD …
- Posted Feb. 27, 2025
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Observing Earth Day 2025 On your Campus
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- AASHE (MA)
- Earthday.org (DC)
Learn about the theme of Earth Day 2025: “Our Power, Our Planet,” focused on promoting renewable energy and the power of advocacy! Lee and Libby will introduce you to the …
- Posted Jan. 30, 2025
- Videos & Webinars
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Fault Detection and Diagnostics at California State University, Northridge
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- Siemens Industry, Inc. (IL)
This project has enhanced CSUN's understanding and management of its building mechanical systems, fostering collaboration among building controls specialists, HVAC mechanics, and sustainability staff. The Fault Detection and Diagnostics (FDD) …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Case Studies
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Wi-Fi Inferred Occupancy Count for Air Conditioning Optimisation
- Nanyang Technological University
An effective strategy to reduce building energy consumption is to optimise building controls using occupancy information. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) is trialling an innovative method for determining occupant counts …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2025
- Case Studies
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New Chiller and Autoclaves Installed on Campus
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Cal State Fullerton is helping keep its students, faculty and staff cooler this summer and making the University more energy efficient — with the installation of a new chiller and …
- Posted Oct. 10, 2024
- Photographs
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A Beacon to Savings - Campus to Replace Lights for More Energy Efficiency
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
By Pamela McLaren
How many people does it take to switch out a light bulb? On a college campus dealing with more than 75,000 lamps — it will take a …
- Posted Oct. 10, 2024
- Photographs
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SunZia Wind
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
Construction photos of SunZia Wind
- Posted Aug. 20, 2024
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Game day at Kyle Field Stadium
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Game day in Kyle Field where average attendance is often 100,000. This picture depicts the potential large scale impact that pro-sustainability measures leveraged in athletic spaces can have.
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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Solar partnership supports formerly incarcerated individuals
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
The University of Notre Dame has partnered with Crossroads Solar to develop a 1-megawatt solar array. Crossroads provides jobs and life skills to formerly incarcerated individuals as part of a …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
- Photographs
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JMU Virginia Pollinator-Smart Certification
- James Madison University (VA)
James Madison University became the first university to earn the Virginia Pollinator-Smart Certification, a program that promotes pollinator-friendly solar energy developments throughout Virginia. The university's East Campus Hillside features the …
- Posted Aug. 19, 2024
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How to Make the Most of your Sustainability Event
- The University of British Columbia (BC)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar on “How to make the most of your Sustainability Event” will focus on learnings and successes based on a several weeks long Sustainability programme at UNBC that was …
- Posted Aug. 15, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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STARS of Data Accuracy
- University of Houston (TX)
Beginning in 2019, University of Houston required all new buildings and major renovations to be designed and certified to LEED Silver or better standards. Since then, three projects have met …
- Posted July 31, 2024
- Photographs
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AI-based controller
- Cornell University (NY)
Part of Cornell’s Radical Collaboration on Solutions for Sustainability includes is Guided by faculty task forces, Cornell is investing in ten strategic discipline areas one of which is artificial intelligence. …
- Posted July 31, 2024
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Campus Barcelona - Executive Education Building - Photovoltaic installation
- IESE Business School - Barcelona (Barcelona)
Campus Barcelona - Executive Education Building - Photovoltaic installation
- Posted July 29, 2024
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SCI Top Performer - University of Oregon Heating Transition Taskforce
- University of Oregon (OR)
Thermal Systems Transition Study Task Force The UO Thermal Systems Task Force was responsible for reviewing the UO’s thermal heating infrastructure and recommending how best to reduce the system’s greenhouse …
- Posted July 24, 2024
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Salisbury University - Guerrieri Academic Commons Building
- Salisbury University (MD)
The Academic Commons is a LEED Gold certified building. It is one of Salisbury University's most energy efficient buildings. It has a green roof, highly efficient HVAC system, and LED …
- Posted July 18, 2024
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Bates Students at Their Solar Array
- Bates College (ME)
After crunching the financing numbers, Bates students stand in front of the solar array that they helped make happen. The array accounts for 75% of Bates' total power.
- Posted July 15, 2024
- Photographs
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Microgrid Workforce Development Training
- Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus (AZ)
Arizona State University's (ASU) Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) offers over 300 hours of training in energy systems, microgrids, minigrids (off-grid systems), grid modernization, and other energy-related topics. …
- Posted July 10, 2024
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Sustainable Heat: Options for Decarbonizing Cold-Region Higher Education Campus Heating Systems
- Bates College (ME)
- Boston University (MA)
- Connecticut College (CT)
- Denison University (OH)
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- University of Iowa (IA)
- University of Maine (ME)
American higher education campuses in cold-weather areas have traditionally used oil- and coal-fired boilers to generate steam for heating. But many institutions, including some that have already shifted to natural …
- Posted June 17, 2024
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Fullerton Takes Part in "Flex Your Power" Energy Demand Program
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
California State University Recognized Fullerton Takes Part in "Flex Your Power" Energy Demand Program
The California State University has been recognized by the state’s Flex Your Power campaign for reducing …
- Posted June 12, 2024
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Expanding the Power of the Sun
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
Cal State Fullerton is moving ahead with solar power and expanding the array of solar panels that harness the force of the sun to power lights, computers, air conditioning and …
- Posted June 12, 2024
- Photographs
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Greener Power: New Central Plant Becomes Operational
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
When the university’s new trigeneration plant begins operating next month, few will realize that a change has occurred — but its effect will be massive.
For the first time, the …
- Posted May 28, 2024
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Working Toward a Clean Energy Future: CSUF Presents Second Energy and Sustainability Summit
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
As Orange County works toward its climate goals, Cal State Fullerton is committed to advancing clean energy for the future, providing students with hands-on research opportunities and partnering with local …
- Posted May 9, 2024
- Photographs
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Earth Fest Celebration for Earth Month at Oklahoma State
- Oklahoma State University (OK)
Each year on Earth Day, we hold our campus Earth Fest, bringing together sustainability-focused student and faculty groups. The event features information about Energy Services, SGA sustainability initiatives, and various …
- Posted April 29, 2024
- Photographs
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How Michigan State University and Sparty Celebrate Earth Month
- Michigan State University (MI)
These pictures are from our Environmental Education Fair that Michigan State University's Office of Sustainability hosted in partnership with MSU student leadership. Our beloved mascot Sparty came to visit the …
- Posted April 17, 2024
- Photographs
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Biggest Hour For Earth
- Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
Campaign message:
The countdown for Earth Hour is on! Since its beginnings, Earth Hour has been known for the symbolic 'lights off' in support of our planet. But this year, …
- Posted April 4, 2024
- Photographs
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ACE Webinar: How your Institution can Save Money and Fight Climate Change
- Second Nature (MA)
- American Council on Education (DC)
Colleges and universities can now tap into significant cost savings and boost sustainability efforts thanks to new clean energy tax credits included in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
ACE hosted …
- Posted April 3, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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How To Accelerate Your Institution’s Scope 3 Emissions Reductions
- Catawba College (NC)
- AASHE (MA)
- GreenPlaces (NC)
With campus leaders facing mounting pressure to reduce carbon emissions, many institutions are struggling to measure and manage scope 3 emissions. Data collection is highly manual, and many institutions simply …
- Posted March 6, 2024
- Videos & Webinars
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Maximizing Voluntary Renewable Electricity Impacts
- Boston University (MA)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)
As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, higher education institutions are ramping up their voluntary renewable electricity adoption. Additionally, as the renewable electricity market matures, leading organizations have begun …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2024
- 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.