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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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Solve Climate by 2030: Solar Dominance + Civic Action

  • Bard College (NY)

A nationwide series of campus and community Power Dialogs will educate students about Power as clean energy, but also about Power as engaged citizen action. Dialogs will spotlight how transforming …

  • Posted May 28, 2020
  • Videos & Webinars
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Energy efficiency actions at a Brazilian university and their contribution to sustainable development Goal 7

  • University of Passo Fundo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse recent actions of energy efficiency implemented by University of Passo Fundo, a higher education institution located in the south of Brazil, …

Framework proposal for the environmental impact assessment of universities in the context of Green IT

  • Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) (GO)

The concept of Green IT refers to sustainable technologies and information systems as well as environmentally friendly IT practices. Universities, which hold responsibility for propagating and applying knowledge, play an …

Application of international energy efficiency standards for energy auditing in a University buildings

  • Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design
  • National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv)

This study seeks to provide insights on understanding the contemporary problems of energy efficiency in Ukrainian universities by developing a comprehensive energy efficiency management framework that encompasses its participating subjects, …

Office of Sustainability Living Lab Case Study

  • Gonzaga University (WA)

The Gonzaga University Office of Sustainability is the living lab for testing renewable energy technologies on Gonzaga’s campus. The purpose of this student initiative is to push for renewable energy …

PHEC Timeline

Multi-Campus Collaboration Kickstarts Solar Project to Cut 100% of GHG Emissions from Electricity

  • Dickinson College (PA)
  • Lafayette College (PA)
  • Lehigh University (PA)
  • Muhlenberg College (PA)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

Four independent colleges and universities in Pennsylvania collaborated to explore renewable energy solutions, develop a strategy, and implement a combination of onsite and large-scale offsite projects that will result in …

Retrofitted NX Building

First Net Zero Carbon Building certification for a retrofit in Canada: Humber College NX building

  • Humber College (ON)

Located in the center of Humber’s North Campus in Toronto, Building NX has transformed from one of the campus’ most inefficient buildings, to an industry-leading example of zero carbon excellence. …

BioMed Engineering Center

Brown University's Thermal Efficiency Project-1

  • Brown University (RI)
  • Ecosystem Energy Services (MA)

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.

The campus undertook the Thermal …

A Machine Learning Based Tool for the Assessment of Energy Consumption in K-12 Schools

  • Florida Institute of Technology (FL)

Energy costs are the second highest operational expense for K-12 schools in the United States. Improving energy efficiency and moving towards sustainable school buildings not only result in substantial cost …

Solar Microgrid Investment in the US: Financial Modelling Challenges for a University Based Project

  • California State University, San Marcos (CA)

Unlike economies that are still experiencing growth, established markets like the United States have a difficult time generating returns with large upside potential for investors. If an exceptional return is …

Goggin 1

Converting Miami University’s Goggin Ice Center from Steam to Heating Hot Water & HP Chiller: Reduced Energy Use, Carbon Emissions and Utility Costs

  • Miami University (OH)

We recognize that this innovative large scale project is replicable only at other universities that have ice arenas. Ice arenas tend to be very energy intensive. We show that converting …

This is the tote that current interns retrofitted to be used for our acid esterification reaction, which reduces free fatty acid content in the waste cooking oil and increases efficiency.

Loyola University Chicago's Student-run Biodiesel Lab

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)

The Searle Biodiesel Lab is a student-run initiative within Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Environmental Sustainability (IES). Since 2007, the lab has produced biodiesel and BioSoap(Loyola’s all-natural, alternative hand soap) …

Students performing energy audit 1

ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN K-12 SCHOOLS: A CASE STUDY IN FLORIDA

  • Florida Institute of Technology (FL)

Buildings are one of the largest energy consumers in the United States. K-12 schools are responsible for nearly 8% of energy consumption by commercial buildings which is equivalent to 1.44% …

Wood waste to energy system photo, with chipper enclosure frame erected by ironworker students

BCIT Wood-Waste-to-Energy Project

  • British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)

In pursuit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, showcasing environmentally-sustainable projects for widespread use, and incorporating sustainability more broadly in curriculum, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has created a closed-loop …

Cal Poly students conducting research at the Gold Tree Solar Farm

Gold Tree Solar Farm - Innovatively Advancing the Academic Mission

  • California Polytechnic State University (CA)

Cal Poly's 4.5 MW Gold Tree Solar Farm demonstrates how collaboration between Facilities and academics can transform campus buildings and infrastructure into more impactful academic assets. In addition to the …

Energy Waste Reduction Program

  • Suffolk County Community College (NY)

Since its inception in August of 2014, Suffolk County Community College’s Energy Waste Reduction Program has saved over 4.9 million dollars in unnecessary utility expenditure. We would like to propose …

A comparative study of approaches towards energy efficiency and renewable energy use at higher education institutions

  • University of Beira Interior
  • University of Passo Fundo
  • Universidade Federal Fluminense
  • University of Campinas
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) (Perak Darul Ridzuan)
  • American University of Central Asia
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  • Hamburg University of Applied Sciences

The potential for energy efficiency and for the deployment of renewable energy at universities is substantial, and they represent promising ways to meet an institution's energy needs on the one …

Understanding facility management decision making for energy efficiency efforts for buildings at a higher education institution

  • University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
  • Institut Teknologi Bandung (Jawa Barat)

Education buildings, as the third highest consumer of energy in the United States, provides significant opportunities to lower greenhouse gas emissions by increasing energy efficiency (EE). Higher education institutions (HEIs) …

A study of energy literacy among nursing students to examine implications on energy conservation efforts in Taiwan

  • National Taiwan Normal University
  • Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
  • Ming Chi University of Technology

Nurses' energy literacy should be developed during schooling to ensure their involvement in sustainable healthcare. In this study, we explored nursing students' energy literacy and the relationships among knowledge, affect, …

UI GreenMetric and campus sustainability: a review of the role of African universities

  • Ural Federal University (Sverdlovskaya Oblast')

The desire to combat the negative externalities of climate change and its variability has gained a lot of ground over the last few decades. This has resulted in the development …

Estimation of energy efficiency for educational buildings in Hong Kong

  • City University of Hong Kong
  • Dalian University of Foreign Languages (Liaoning)

In this paper, we estimate the energy efficiency of educational buildings with the case study of buildings in City University of Hong Kong by constructing an energy demand stochastic frontier …

Benchmarking Energy Use at University of Almeria

  • Universidad de Almería (Almeria)
  • Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR) (la Rioja)

Several factors impact the energy use of university campus buildings. This study aims to benchmark the energy use in universities with Mediterranean climates. The University of Almeria campus was used …

Insertion of Photovoltaic Solar Systems in Technological Education Institutions in Brazil: Teacher Perceptions Concerning Contributions towards Sustainable Development

  • Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
  • Electric Energy Research Center (CEPEL)
  • Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN) (RN)

Teaching spaces are seen as institutions presenting relevant power to promote sustainability. Thus, in addition to knowledge (re)producers, they must also assume ethical obligations to incorporate daily sustainability-oriented actions. In …

Contribution of University to Environmental Energy Sustainability in the City

  • Universidad del Pais Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (Bizkaia)

The environmental energy sustainability of universities has aroused great interest in recent years. In this study, environmental impact assessment tools are used to analyse the environmental impacts of the University …

On-site Energy Manager Program

  • SUNY Jefferson Community College (NY)
  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)

In February of 2019 Jefferson Community College began a one-year commitment to provide a one-half time FTE On-site Energy Manager position in partnership with NYSERDA under project code OsEM17-C, (PON …

‘Doing good science’: The impact of invisible energy policies on laboratory energy demand in higher education

  • Cardiff University
  • Lancaster University

Education is the second largest consumer of energy in the service sector, however, little research to date has focused on the link between education policy and energy demand. Using a …

  • Posted April 17, 2020
  • Publications
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Solar Energy on Campus Part II

Solar Energy on Campus (Part II: Solar Purchasing Options and Communicating Renewable Energy Use)

  • Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)

This report examines the solar purchasing options available to higher education institutions, and the fundamental components of each deal that affect renewable energy certificate (REC) ownership, claims, and the environmental …

  • Posted April 17, 2020
  • Publications
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Barriers, potentialities, and actions for implementation of sustainable energy procedures in Brazilian federal universities

  • Universidade federal de Santa Maria

Many universities around the world have served as active centers for research on climate change. However, there are several barriers to their activities, stemming from the nature of research, resources, …

  • Posted April 17, 2020
  • Publications
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The Effects of Energy Dashboards and Competition Programming on Cyclic Electricity Consumption on a College Campus

  • Western Michigan University (MI)

This report examined issues pertaining to the efficacy and cost effectiveness of energy dashboards in the effort to influence electricity-related behavior change on college campuses. Given the increasing popularity of …

  • Posted April 17, 2020
  • Publications
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Are Electric Buildings a Feasible Carbon Neutrality Strategy?

  • University of California, Office of the President (CA)
  • AASHE (MA)
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (CA)

The path to campus carbon neutrality is becoming clearer: electrify everything and procure renewable electricity. Electrifying campus energy infrastructure is a complex undertaking that requires a significant financial investment. While …

  • Posted March 18, 2020
  • Videos & Webinars
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The Workability of Dominican University of California (DUoC) Transitioning to a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) Program Energy Supply

  • University of San Francisco (CA)

For almost 10 years Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), or community based energy programs, have been developing and or providing clean energy resources to both commercial and residential customers in various …

  • Posted March 6, 2020
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Developing a Framework to Assess Renewable Energy Options for Higher Education Institutions: Values-Based Recommendations for Portland State University

  • Portland State University (OR)

Voluntary renewable energy projects offer organizations like Portland State University (PSU) the opportunity to address climate action-related goals and address other environmental, economic, and social values. To achieve the goals …

  • Posted March 6, 2020
  • Publications
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The relationship between energy use and space use of higher educational buildings in subtropical Australia

  • Griffith University (Queensland)

With an aim to understand the impact of a variety of space usage on the building energy consumption in university campuses, this study selected 122 university buildings located in subtropical …

  • Posted March 5, 2020
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Opportunities and Benefits of a University-Based Weatherization Assistance Program: The Case of Furman University's Community Conservation Corps

  • Furman University (SC)

Weatherization assistance programs have been in existence in the United States for decades, but they are commonly managed and implemented by local government organizations. Furman University, a small liberal arts …

  • Posted March 4, 2020
  • Publications
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Quantifying potential savings from sustainable energy projects at a large public university: An energy efficiency assessment for texas state university

  • Texas State University, San Marcos (TX)

At Texas State University (TSU) in the United States, “sustainability” is pursued within the context of (1) a non-binding declaration in the University’s plan, and (2) a State legislative directive …

  • Posted Feb. 10, 2020
  • Publications
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A lifecycle cost analysis of transitioning to a fully-electrified, renewably powered, and carbon-neutral campus at the University of Dayton

  • University of Dayton (OH)

This paper analyzes the cost-effectiveness of converting the University of Dayton (UD) to a fully-electrified, renewably powered, carbon-neutral campus by 2025. The greenhouse gas (GHG) impact and 30-year lifecycle costs …

  • Posted Feb. 10, 2020
  • Publications
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Energy Systems Engineering Technology (Advanced Diploma)

  • Mohawk College (ON)

Students will experience a unique new program introducing a multi-disciplinary approach that focuses on the generation, capture, storage, and distribution of clean and renewable energy and their integration with conventional …

  • Posted Feb. 3, 2020
  • Academic Programs
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Sustainable Energy Studies Minor

  • Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)

Continuing growth in fossil fuel energy consumption is not sustainable into the indefinite future and a transition to an economy based on renewable energy technologies such as hydroelectric, solar, and …

  • Posted Dec. 6, 2019
  • Academic Programs
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Lots of Watts: Building an Energy Cohort to Buy Big Renewables

  • Lafayette College (PA)
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
  • Swarthmore College (PA)
  • Second Nature (MA)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

Cohorts of colleges and universities are aggregating energy loads to achieve economies of scale when sourcing renewable energy. This workshop helps campuses achieve dramatic reductions in greenhouse gases by sourcing …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Fighting Irish, Fighting Food Waste: Converting Food Waste into Energy at Notre Dame

  • University of Notre Dame (IN)

Nearly 40% of all food in the United States goes uneaten, and 95% of all wasted food winds up in the landfill. At Notre Dame, food and hospitality is a …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Weatherization Programs: Partnerships to Address Community Issues

  • Furman University (SC)
  • University of Florida (FL)

The benefits of weatherization programs are extensive. These programs have the capacity to address social and economic inequality, the historical effects of gentrification, and the growing impacts of climate change …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Food Waste to Energy: Partnering with Dining Halls for Waste Diversion and Electrical Production

  • Central Connecticut State University (CT)

Central CT State University has partnered with our food service vendor to collect food waste from our dining halls. The waste is brought to nearby Quantum BioPower where it produces …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Strategic Planning of Energy Retrofits That Drive Cutting Edge Projects in GHG Reductions

  • Humber College (ON)

In 2014, Humber College (Toronto, Canada) faced a challenge familiar to many institutions. Despite years of incremental energy efficiency gains, large reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions remained …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Paper and Plug Load Energy Reduction: How Focusing on two Issues Broadened our Reach

  • Red River College Polytechnic (MB)

In the current climate of fiscal restraint faced by many post-secondary institutions, it can be challenging for Sustainability Offices to advance their reach and impact with new programs and initiatives. …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Wood Bioenergy: Carbon Neutral or Worse Than Coal?

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)

As a growing number of institutions, cities, states, and nations work to achieve rapid decarbonization, many are turning to wood bioenergy. All forms of bioenergy are considered to be carbon …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Affordable Renewable Energy for the Developing World that is Creating Jobs

  • University of Central Florida (FL)

In our world, there are currently 1.3B people living with no access to electricity. The lack of electricity can have negative impacts on their education, communication, safety and even health. …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Partnerships for Dramatic Energy Use Reduction On-Campus & Off

  • Loyola University Chicago (IL)
  • University of Pittsburgh (PA)

In most urban areas, buildings contribute at least 75% of local greenhouse gas emissions, representing an opportunity to reduce energy use through benchmarking, conservation, and efficiency. As a result, a …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Achieving Resilient, Low Carbon Campuses via a Sustainable Economic Model

  • Pratt Institute (NY)

We are developing a Roadmap to achieve a resilient, low carbon campus as well as upgrade our infrastructure, and have been working to find private partners who can help us …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Tax Incentive use for Expanding Resilient Solar Power Infrastructure in Economically Depressed Areas

  • Dallas College (TX)

Mr. Baker will lead a discussion of how solar power avoids wholesale energy costs, it also saves on non-energy costs related to distribution networks, generation capacity, and, in particular, transmission. …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • Conference Presentations
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Local Power: How to Partner With Local Investors to Install Renewable Energy Systems on Campus

  • Luther College (IA)

This session addresses the following question associated with the conference theme: 'How can higher education most effectively collaborate with business, government and civil society to create a sustainable economy?' The …

  • Posted Dec. 4, 2019
  • 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

OP 6: Clean and Renewable Energy

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Energy Partners

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