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
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 ...
- 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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14 kW Installation at SW1 Gateway
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Gateway building is a three storey 5,280-square-metre structure on the Burnaby campus. The building, which officially opened in November 2011, is a LEED Gold project, featuring numerous energy ...
- Posted July 15, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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250 kW Solar Installation at Energy OASIS
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The Energy OASIS facility is comprised of: a 250 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) parking canopy paired with a 500 kWhr lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS); two DC Fast Charge ...
- 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
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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 ...
- Posted May 28, 2021
- Publications
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Action learning partnerships: carbon, commerce and community co-learning at a Canadian university
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
- Prince George Chamber of Commerce (BC)
- Carbon Realities Consulting (BC)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss an innovative course offered as a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (Canada), the Prince George Chamber ...
- Posted May 28, 2021
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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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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 Utah with ...
- 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
- Case Studies
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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 ...
- 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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SFU's Living Lab
- Simon Fraser University (BC)
SFU's Living Lab is an approach that facilitates sustainability-themed research at SFU by creating structured collaborations between staff, faculty and graduate students to achieve University commitments and strategic priorities ...
- Posted April 30, 2021
- Case Studies
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How to Make Your Lab Sustainable
- University College London (London)
If you work in a laboratory setting, this video is for you! Made by a chemistry professor at UCL, one of the biggest research universities in the UK, this video ...
- Posted April 30, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Reducing energy demand in China and the United Kingdom: The importance of energy literacy
- University of Plymouth (Devon)
- Zhejiang University
- Plymouth Marjon University
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly visible across the globe, awareness of the need for cleaner energy and demand reduction is growing. Energy literacy offers a strong potential ...
- Posted April 23, 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 ...
- Posted April 22, 2021
- Publications
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Lessons from unsuccessful energy and buildings sustainability actions in university campus operations
- University of Coimbra
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly striving to deploy actions that promote the efficient use of energy and other resources on university campuses. Successful sustainability initiatives are vastly described in ...
- Posted April 22, 2021
- Publications
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Towards energy transition at the Faculty of Education of Bilbao (UPV/EHU): diagnosing community and building
- University of the Basque Country
Purpose This paper aims to present the results of a study aimed at performing a first diagnosis of energy literacy and energy use in a Faculty of Education, by means ...
- Posted April 22, 2021
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The motivation and development impact of energy saving to sustainability in the construction of green campus: a case study of the Zhejiang University, China
- Zhejiang University
- University of Kitakyushu (Fukuoka)
The construction of green campus is related to the global sustainable development. Under the guidance of campus energy-saving policy, China’s green campus mainly focuses on campus’ energy saving. In ...
- Posted April 21, 2021
- Publications
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IoT Platform for Energy Sustainability in University Campuses
- University of Coimbra
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
- Comillas Universidad Pontificia (Madrid)
University campuses are normally constituted of large buildings responsible for high energy demand, and are also important as demonstration sites for new technologies and systems. This paper presents the results ...
- Posted April 21, 2021
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Internal stakeholders' perspective on lean energy and environmental sustainability: the case of Notre Dame University - Louaize
- Notre Dame University - Louaize
This study will contribute to the understanding of the relationship between Energy and Environmental Sustainability (EES) Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours in order to recommend actions to be undertaken by the ...
- Posted Feb. 9, 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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1 MW Solar Power at NUST
- National University of Sciences and Technology (Federal)
In a major step towards achieving this objective, NUST’s Islamabad campus has reduced its dependence on the local grid by shifting part of its electricity needs to self-generated solar ...
- Posted Jan. 19, 2021
- Green Power Projects
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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 ...
- Posted Jan. 12, 2021
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winnner Ceremony 2020
- Lehigh University (PA)
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Smith College (MA)
- University of Central Florida (FL)
- University of Coimbra
- Dickinson College (PA)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Southwestern University (TX)
- University of Strathclyde
- Carlos III University of Madrid
- Palo Alto College (TX)
- University of Dayton (OH)
- University of Sydney (NSW)
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 ...
- 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 ...
- 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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Ontario Tech University - Solar Panels
- Ontario Tech University (ON)
Ontario Tech University’s long-established reputation as a post-secondary leader in conservation and green community-building has achieved a Gold rating from AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS ...
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
- Photographs
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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 supplies ...
- 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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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.