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 Impact of Real-time Visual Feedback on Electric Consumption at Middlebury College
- Middlebury College (VT)
The typical associations with 'energy efficiency' are production oriented. However, in order to make a meaningful impact, these innovative production solutions need to be matched equally with creative ways to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Transforming Our Tomorrow - A New Clean Energy Vision
- University at Buffalo (NY)
- Edison Energy (CA)
Whenever, I run into a problem I can't solve, I always make it bigger. I can never solve it by trying to make it smaller, but if I make it …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Scaling UP Renewable Energy Beyond Campus
- Cornell University (NY)
- State University of New York at Cortland (NY)
The Paris Agreement (at the moment) represents civilizations best path forward for global action and accountability of our collective reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions. What happens when a significant …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Getting to 100% Renewable Electricity
- Colorado State University (CO)
- University of Denver (CO)
Colorado State University (CSU) signed the Climate Reality Pledge in January 2017 - pledging to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Since electricity is responsible for ~50% of CSU's GHG …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Off Site Solar - A Group Effort
- Amherst College (MA)
- Bowdoin College (ME)
- Smith College (MA)
- Williams College (MA)
Amherst, Bowdoin, Hampshire, Smith and Williams colleges-signed an agreement in February 2018 to purchase off-site renewable electricity. This agreement will facilitate the construction of a 'utility scale' solar power facility …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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A Billion Dollar Deal: Public-Private Energy Partnership Advances Campus Effort Beyond Efficiency
- The Ohio State University (OH)
- ENGIE (TX)
In July 2017, Ohio State launched an innovative approach to sustainably manage its building energy use, in a manner that will provide significant energy management knowledge and financial capital back …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Rising to Meet the Challenge of 100% Renewable Energy
- Boston University (MA)
- University of Richmond (VA)
- Edison Energy (CA)
Campuses are increasingly looking to renewable energy as the most financially attractive strategy for making dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieving their GHG goals. The costs of …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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University of Denver's Renter Efficiency Program for Students
- University of Denver (CO)
The University of Denver's Renter Efficiency Program for Students offers free energy audits to students who are renting off campus houses or apartments. The goal of these energy audits is …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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The Upgrade Alternative: When Energy Upgrades Prove Cost Prohibitive, Microgrids Offer Another Path
- SimpliPhi (CA)
K-12 and higher education systems across the U.S. and beyond often struggle to upgrade or install energy efficient HVAC and other energy equipment in the face of shrinking budgets, escalating …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Piloting of a Hybrid Continuous, Live, Virtual, and Traditional Energy Audit Methodology
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
This poster showcases a comprehensive, student-driven energy efficiency study at Florida Gulf Coast University. This case study examines best practices for energy metering and benchmarking in a single campus building. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Estimating the financial feasibility and technical potential for solar PV on all U.S. schools
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
In 2016, approximately 64% of total electricity generated in the United States came from fossil fuel sources, while approximately 2% came from solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation. Due to this …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Bates College Conversion to Burn New Wood-Based, Liquid Fuel in Central Steam Plant
- Bates College (ME)
Bates College has begun burning a new, wood-based liquid fuel in its central steam plant - the first college in the country to do so. This new fuel, called Renewable …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Reduce Peak Demand and Increase Grid Stability With On-Site Energy Storage
- Austin Community College (TX)
The Austin Community College District (ACC) has installed a 72kW energy storage system on their Eastview campus. The grant funded battery project, known as Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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So You've Got Energy Meters - Now what? Dealing With the Other Challenges to Getting Energy Data
- Amherst College (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
- Williams College (MA)
It's hard to manage what you don't measure, and this is especially true with energy. We are strong believers in the role energy data analysis plays in helping us identify …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Step Changes in Climate Action: Data-Driven Plans to Decarbonize Campus Energy Systems
- Amherst College (MA)
- Smith College (MA)
- Integral Group (CA)
Answering the call to address the climate crisis is one of the central themes of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Colleges and universities have been working to deploy energy …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Developing an Energy Strategy for Sustainability to meet Climate Action Planning Goals
- Lafayette College (PA)
- Stone House Group (PA)
As ideas related to sustainability continue to grow on college campuses, college administrators and facilities directors look to develop plans that align campus infrastructure and facilities to fulfill sustainability goals. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Campus Central Plants - Assets or Liabilities in Achieving Carbon and Resiliency Goals
- Pratt Institute (NY)
Pratt Institute along with many other Colleges have central plants that provide power and HVAC to campus buildings. How do these plants fit into the new carbon restrained world with …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Achieving SDG Targets: The European Approach: Compliance - The Case of Energy & Irish Universities
- Chatham University (PA)
- Technological University Dublin (Dublin)
Ireland, as a nation, has signed up to the SDGs. The main drivers in reaching these targets will be through a set of interventions that are encompassing - legislation - …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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How Knowledge Can Create a Culture of Sustainability
- Gonzaga University (WA)
- Atrius (CA)
In the United States, buildings account for nearly 70 percent of electricity consumption. According to the EPA, up to 30 percent of electricity is inefficiently or unnecessarily used. In light …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Making Positive Impacts With Zero Energy Buildings
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
- Millersville University (PA)
- Spillman Farmer Architects (PA)
Zero Energy buildings generate all the energy that they need onsite from renewable sources. Getting there requires significant energy efficiency, onsite renewable energy generation, ongoing occupant engagement, and performance-based energy …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Green Nerds in FM: Building Automation Strategies to Support Sustainability Goals
- Eastern Mennonite University (VA)
Efficient use of energy is an important part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable and clean energy. While many building systems efficiency improvements require a capital …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Optimizing Sustainability Over a Building's Lifecycle
- AKF Group (NJ)
From the U.S. Department of Energy Website: 'The higher education sector spends over $6 billion on annual energy costs and totals about 5 billion square feet of floor space.' Higher …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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State of Sustainability in Higher Education: Charting a Course for Continued Success
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- Gordian (SC)
Facilities leaders have invested a great deal of effort and financial resources towards pursuing the ideals enumerated in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Transforming Existing, Iconic, Landmark Buildings Into Modern, High-Performance Buildings
- Duquesne University (PA)
- AUROS Group (PA)
The challenge most universities face today is modernizing building performance (high indoor environmental quality and low energy consumption) cost effectively, while preserving the image of iconic structures dedicated to learning. …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Green Globes Certification: A Practical Approach for Sustainable Campuses
- University of Florida (FL)
- Green Building Initiative (OR)
Green Globes is an affordable and practical, yet comprehensive nationally recognized sustainability certification for commercial and multifamily buildings. The Green Globes platform was modified and developed through the public, collaborative, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Evolving Building Sustainability: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Framework Principles
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
- University College Dublin, National University of Ireland
Buildings consume 40% of energy globally. As buildings are continuously enhanced to be more sustainable and healthy, a number of strategies have been employed to achieve energy reduction targets. This …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Computer Networks Doing Their Part to be Sustainable - New Industry Standards
- The Sextant Group (PA)
College and University planners are challenged by the exploding demand for data services, as more and more devices are added to campuses. Administrators and students are asking whether this trend …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Becoming BREEAM: How UC Davis Achieved the First Institutional BREEAM In-Use Certification in the US
- University of California, Davis (CA)
- Healthy Buildings (VA)
In November 2017, University of California at Davis became the first academic institution in the country to achieve BREEAM In-Use (BIU) Certification for a building on their campus. BREEAM stands …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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US Department of Energy Funding to Simplify Sustainable Campus Design
- Seventhwave (WI)
- MIST (IL)
Campuses that use fewer natural resources and buoy health, learning and happiness are increasingly vital for educational institutions, as students and faculty voice demand for it. To deliver a sustainable …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Nailing Net Zero, From Design to Certification
- Allegheny College (PA)
- Community College of Allegheny County (PA)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
More than 400 firms have signed onto the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) 2030 Commitment, targeting 70%+ EUI savings; however a 2016 AIA survey of participating firms revealed the portfolios …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Achieving Large-Scale Campus Emissions Reductions: The Plan, Team, & Relationships Required
- University of Dayton (OH)
After President Trump announced plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord, numerous Institutions indicated they would rise to the challenge by signing the 'We Are Still …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Profitable Carbon Capture Technology for Campus Power Plants
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
The University of Maryland is pursuing a partnership with technology firm, HY-TEK Bio, to install an algae based carbon capture system to mitigate emissions from UMD's combined heat and power …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Leverage Your Renewable Energy Impact Through Emerging Avoided Emissions PPA Strategies
- Boston University (MA)
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
- Edison Energy (CA)
- WattTime (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. The …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Greenhouse Gas Inventory of the University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
As greenhouse gases continue to accumulate in the atmosphere and have an impact on climate, identifying and monitoring the sources of these emissions becomes increasingly important. Because residential and commercial …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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International Development, Energy and Environment (MA)
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Energy and Environment explores the politics and policies of the worldwide energy industry, examining ways to meet global energy needs in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way. Graduate School of Public …
- Posted Oct. 23, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Technology and Society, Energy Track Certificate
- Princeton University (NJ)
This cross-disciplinary certificate program is offered in partnership between the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment and the Keller Center. It is targeted to students, both engineers/scientists and humanists/social-scientists, …
- Posted Oct. 15, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Energy Certficate
- Princeton University (NJ)
The Program in Sustainable Energy is designed for Princeton undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing careers or graduate education in the area of sustainable energy science and technology to …
- Posted Oct. 15, 2018
- Academic Programs
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EPA’s new ENERGY STAR College Course
- Murray State University (KY)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
ENERGY STAR now offers an updated curriculum on commercial building efficiency. The three-unit, college-level curriculum is more focused and interactive, and can be integrated as a module into existing courses …
- Posted Oct. 11, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Energy Sciences Minor
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
The Energy Science minor comprises four introductory core courses that provide a comprehensive overview of energy in society, fundamental energy principles, the economics of energy, and environmental issues related to …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2018
- Academic Programs
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California State University East Bay Climate Action Plan 2018
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
Cal State East Bay made a commitment to climate neutrality when President Morishita signed the Carbon Commitment (formerly the American Colleges and Universities Presidents’ Climate Commitment) in January 2015. Once …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2018
- Publications
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Carbon Neutral Campus: Solar Research
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This project was set out to analyze two UIC buildings, the Student Services Building and the Pharmacognosy Field Station, in order to determine their potential for solar energy along with …
- Posted Aug. 10, 2018
- Case Studies
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1 MegaWatt Battery Energy Storage System
- California State University, Long Beach (CA)
In 2017, California State University, Long Beach installed a 1 Megawatt energy storage system on campus as part of a multiphase project with Advanced Microgrid Solutions (AMS) made possible through …
- Posted Aug. 7, 2018
- Photographs
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Princeton University Vertical Farming Project
- Princeton University (NJ)
The Princeton University Vertical Farming Project, led by Dr. Paul Gauthier, uses a hydroponic and artificial lighting growing system to study the viability of feeding a rapidly growing world population …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Photographs
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Energy Certificate
- Stockton University (NJ)
Energy Studies is an interdisciplinary program. It is designed to educate students in the multifaceted problems associated with energy use in our society and to pose methods for possible solutions …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Academic Programs
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Pathways to carbon neutral energy systems at the University of California, Davis
- University of California, Davis (CA)
To achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 the University of California, Davis (UCD) seeks to eliminate its dependence on fossil energy sources. This study outlines a methodology to identify optimal equipment …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
- Publications
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South Seattle College SBST Students Engage with Energy Dashboard
- South Seattle College (WA)
Students in South Seattle College’s Sustainable Building Science Technology BAS program use an energy dashboard to help track utilities at SSC’s Georgetown campus.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2018
- Photographs
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University of Virginia Renewable Energy
- University of Virginia (VA)
Renewable energy (PV panels on Clemons library) helps reduce UVA's nitrogen footprint, in addition to UVA's greenhouse gas footprint.
- Posted Aug. 1, 2018
- Photographs
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Dickinson College Solar Array
- Dickinson College (PA)
Dickinson’s new (2018), 12-acre solar array project—designed and built by Tesla—is projected to generate approximately 5,200,000 kwh per year, representing more than 25 percent of Dickinson’s current electricity consumption and …
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Colorado College Net-Zero Library
- Colorado College (CO)
Main entrance of Colorado College's net-zero energy/net-zero carbon Tutt Library. Sustainable features highlighted in the photo include a rain screen, open design and natural lighting, green roofs and planters, photovoltaic …
- Posted July 31, 2018
- Photographs
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Colorado College Net-Zero Energy/Carbon Tutt Library
- Colorado College (CO)
Balcony view of Colorado College's net-zero energy/net-zero carbon Tutt Library. Highlighting rainscreen, shading structures, black locust domestic hardwoods, green roofs and planters, photovoltaic shade structures, and open views.
- Posted July 31, 2018
- 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.