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.

2541 resources

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 ...

  • Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 ...

  • 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 ...

  • 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 ...

  • 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 (PA)
  • 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
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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 ...


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 ...


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 ...


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.


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.


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 ...


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 ...


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.


University of Dayton Energy GPA

  • University of Dayton (OH)

The Energy GPA program provides students in University-owned student neighborhood houses with a grade of their monthly energy use. Monthly "report cards" include electricity and gas usage and a monthly ...


College of the Atlantic SCI 2018 1

  • College of the Atlantic (ME)

The College of the Atlantic Thoreau Environmental Leaders Initiative aims to cultivate effective advocates for renewable energy and climate change issues. Through speakers, workshops and events, the initiative provides a ...


Boot Camp Trainees Pitch Ideas to Potential Employer

  • Virginia Tech (VA)

Virginia Tech students Tyneshia Griffin and Virginia Pellington pitch their ideas to the Sustainability Boot Camp's Founding Partner, Trane, during an on-site Think Tank Challenge in Ashland, VA. The ...


University of Dayton Energy Team

  • University of Dayton (OH)

Since its founding in 2016, the green revolving fund has funded over 30 projects. The completed projects have reduced emissions by 980 metric tonnes of CO2 (MTCO2) equivalent, or 1 ...


University of Dayton Green Roof Installation

  • University of Dayton (OH)

Kennedy Union Green roof

In September 2017, HSI, in collaboration with facilities management and Enterprise Roofing, led the installation of UD's first green roof on the Kennedy Union patio ...


Vassar Groveville Hydro Project

  • Vassar College (NY)

Photo Credit: Karl Rabe/ Vassar College In Fall 2015, Vassar College signed a 20-year agreement with Gravity Renewables to establish a purchasing partnership with a small scale hydropower project on ...


Solar Sheep at Antioch College

  • Antioch College (OH)

Since 2015, Antioch College has brought sheep to campus to live in a distinctly different location – the five-acre Antioch solar farm. The small “self-fertilizing lawnmowers” live within the fenced-in solar ...


Delta College Living Wall

  • Delta College (MI)

The campus Health Professions Building North atrium at Delta College showcases a living wall, an architectural feature and natural ventilation system that acts as a bio filter to improve air ...


Solar Photovoltaic Arrays at Hampshire College generating up to 100% of electricity on site

  • Hampshire College (MA)

In 2015, the Hampshire College Board of Trustees approved a plan to provide 100% of electricity from on-site solar arrays through a combination of 19 acres of ground-mounted PV arrays ...


University of Dayton Student Neighborhood

  • University of Dayton (OH)

The University of Dayton owns more than 400 residences in its student neighborhood. Launched in fall 2017, the Energy GPA program provides students in University-owned neighborhood housing with a grade ...


Master of Engineering - Energy Engineering (ME EnE)

  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)

The Master of Engineering - Energy Engineering (ME EnE) is a practical graduate degree program that focuses on commercial buildings and manufacturing processes and the energy they consume. Graduates become consultants ...

  • Posted July 5, 2018
  • Academic Programs
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Physics with Energy Science Concentration (BS)

  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO)

The Bachelor of Science program in physics is designed to help students attain their professional goals in physics. Four concentration options within the Bachelor of Science program enable students to ...

  • Posted July 5, 2018
  • Academic Programs
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Electricity and Water Conservation on College and University Campuses in Response to National Competitions among Dormitories: Quantifying Relationships between Behavior, Conservation Strategies and Psychological Metrics

  • New York University (NY)
  • Oberlin College (OH)

“Campus Conservation Nationals” (CCN) is a recurring, nation-wide electricity and water-use reduction competition among dormitories on college campuses. We conducted a two year empirical study of the competition’s effects ...

  • Posted June 29, 2018
  • Publications
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Developing ecological footprint scenarios on university campuses: A case study of the University of Toronto at Mississauga

  • University of Toronto Mississauga (ON)

The ecological footprint represents a simple way to assess the amount of materials consumed and waste produced by a given entity. The approach has been applied to countries, towns, households ...

  • Posted June 28, 2018
  • Publications
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Princeton Student Climate Initiative

  • Princeton University (NJ)

On the Friday night after midterms week, seven Princeton undergraduates gathered in the Pace Center for Civic Engagement to talk climate change legislation. Decked in hoodies, sweats, and mismatched socks ...


R.W. Kern Center- A Living Building

  • Hampshire College (MA)

Located at the heart of Hampshire College campus, the R.W. Kern Center is a multi-purpose facility that embodies the highest threshold of forward-thinking sustainable design: generating its own energy ...


Sustainable Choices

  • Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) is a fast growing community college in a suburb of the Phoenix Metro area. As one of ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District ...


Introduction to Sustainable Living

  • University of California, Los Angeles (CA)

My proposal for the 2018 Student Sustainability Leadership Award is for a course that I was able to develop at UCLA designed to help students learn knowledge and skills that ...


Stanford R&DE's Student Living Laboratory

  • Stanford University (CA)

Stanford University’s Residential & Dining Enterprises in partnership with students and academic departments have transformed its facilities in to a living laboratory by performing cutting edge research on student ...


Deep Energy Retrofits at Humber College's Building N

  • Humber College (ON)

In 2015, the College developed an Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEMP) with impressive goals to greatly reduce energy and water use by 2034. Specifically, Humber’s IEMP sets the following ...


Sustainable Energy for University Science Majors: Developing Guidelines for Educators

  • Arizona State University (AZ)
  • Weizmann Institute of Science

This paper describes the basic tenets of a sustainable energy course for university science majors. First, it outlines the three core components of the course: 1. The scientific evidence for ...

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