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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
- Photographs
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York University - Aerial views of campus
- York University
York University - aerial views of campus
- Posted July 14, 2025
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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
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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
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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
- 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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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
- Conference Presentations
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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
- Conference Presentations
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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
- Photographs
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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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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.