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
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
2016 National Solar Jobs Census
The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census 2016 is the seventh annual update on employment, trends, and projected growth in the U.S. solar industry. The Solar Jobs Census 2016 found …
- Posted Feb. 5, 2018
- Publications
- View more
21 MW Purchase from Red Rock Solar Project
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Arizona State University is purchasing 65,000,000 kWh of renewable energy from the APS 40 MW Red Rock Solar Project via a 20 year power purchase agreement.
- Posted Feb. 5, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
2.2 MW Solar Garden
- Sullivan County Community College (NY)
SUNY Sullivan's 2.15 MW Solar Garden generates about half the electricity used by the college. The college purchases the power generated by the panels under 20 year power purchase agreement.
- Posted Feb. 5, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
1.3 MW Offsite Solar Array
- Brandeis University (MA)
- Borrego Solar (MA)
Under a 20 year power purchase agreement with Kenyon Energy, Brandeis is purchasing solar energy from a 1.27 megawatt (MW) system installed by Borrego Solar on the roof of a …
- Posted Feb. 5, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
46.5 MW Solar Purchase from Sunraysia Solar Farm
- UNSW Sydney (NSW)
University of New South Wales entered into a 15-year solar power purchase agreement with Maoneng Australia and Origin Energy. Under the agreement, UNSW is purchasing up to 124,000 MWh annually …
- Posted Feb. 5, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
Sustainable Energy Management (BS)
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
This program allows students to develop their talents and skills as applied scientists, entrepreneurs, business managers, and planners in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related responses to …
- Posted Jan. 25, 2018
- Academic Programs
- View more
13.5 MW Solar Carport System
- Michigan State University (MI)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
Michigan State University partnered with Inovateus Solar and Alterra Power Corp. to install a 13.5 MW solar carport system spread above 4,500 parking spaces in 5 locations around the MSU …
- Posted Jan. 18, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
4.7 MW Solar Array
- Hampshire College (MA)
- SolarCity
Hampshire College partnered with SolarCity to install 4.7 MW (DC) of solar on 19 acres of its 840-acre campus. The system is expected to provide 100 percent of Hampshire's electricity …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
4.3 MW Solar Parking Canopy
- University of California, Riverside (CA)
- SunPower Corp (CA)
UCR partnered with SunPower to install a 4.3 MW solar canopy above two campus parking lots (lots 30 and 32). The project was built and fully financed by SunPower, which …
- Posted Jan. 4, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
2.8 MW Solar Array
- Mohawk Valley Community College (NY)
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)
Mohawk Valley Community College partnered with GroSolar to develop a 2 MW AC / 2.8 MW DC solar array on a site owned by the Rome Industrial Development Corporation. MVCC …
- Posted Jan. 4, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
1.8 MW of Rooftop Solar
- Charles Sturt University (NSW)
Charles Sturt University contracted with Todae Solar to design, construct and install 1.77 MW of rooftop solar spread across 17 buildings of its its Wagga Wagga campus. The system provides …
- Posted Jan. 3, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
1.6 MW Hydro Purchase from King’s Fall Hydroelectric Facility
- St. Lawrence University (NY)
In 2015, St. Lawrence University signed a long-term agreement with Gravity Renewables that allowed for the refurbishment and repair of the King’s Fall Hydroelectric Facility in Lewis County. That facility, …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
2 MW Denton Road Solar Array
- Skidmore College (NY)
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)
- WGL Energy (VA)
- Dynamic Energy (MA)
Skidmore College contracted with Dynamic Energy to develop a 2-megawatt solar array located on 8 acres of College property about one mile from its main campus. The array consists of …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
850 kW Hydro Purchase from Chittenden Falls Hydroelectric Facility
- Skidmore College (NY)
In 2015, Skidmore College finalized an agreement with Gravity Renewables to purchase the output of the revitalized Chittenden Falls Hydroelectric Facility in Columbia County. The certified low-impact dam generates about …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
927 kW Hydro Purchase from Groveville Hydro Facility
- Vassar College (NY)
In September 2015, Vassar College announced a 20-year agreement with the hydro power company Gravity Renewables to purchase power generated at the 927 kW Groveville Hydro Facility in Beacon, NY. …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
2.8 MW Harford Solar Farm at the Ruminant Center
- Cornell University (NY)
This 2.8 MW solar farm is comprised of 9,333 photovoltaic panels spread across 20 acres at Cornell’s Ruminant Center in Harford, New York.
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
4 MW Musgrave Research Farm Solar Project
- Cornell University (NY)
Cornell University partnered with Distributed Sun and Building Energy Asset Management to install two 2 MW solar farms (Musgrave East and Musgrave West) on 28 acres attached to Cornell's Musgrave …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
2 MW Sutton Road Solar Farm
- Cornell University (NY)
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)
Sutton Road Solar Farm, a 2-megawatt energy facility in Geneva, New York, became fully operational April 2016. Spread over 17 acres, the installation offsets nearly 40 percent of the annual …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
2 MW Snyder Road Solar Farm
- Cornell University (NY)
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) (NY)
- Sol Systems (DC)
The Cornell Snyder Road Solar Farm – comprised of with 6,778 photovoltaic panels on an 11-acre plot of Cornell property that adjoins the Tompkins County Regional Airport – went live …
- Posted Jan. 2, 2018
- Green Power Projects
- View more
Methodology of energy efficient building refurbishment: Application on two university campus-building case studies in Italy with engineering students
- Polytechnic University of Milan
Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI) has launched since 2011 the project “Città Studi Sustainable Campus” to improve the university’s sustainability performances within three main principles: building refurbishment, sustainable campus development and …
- Posted Dec. 22, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Energy planning of university campus building complex: Energy usage and coincidental analysis of individual buildings with a case study
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology
- Zhejiang University
- Nanjing University of Science & Technology
As the demonstration of eco-communities, energy planning becomes more and more important for university campus. However, insufficient energy use data accumulation has been a significant barrier against fully understanding of …
- Posted Dec. 22, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Development of a web based energy management system for University Campuses: The CAMP-IT platform
- Technical University of Crete
University campuses can be considered as small towns due to their size, number of users and mixed and complex activities, including numerous actions usually met in urban environments. The energy …
- Posted Dec. 22, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Visualization of energy and water consumption and GHG emissions: A case study of a Canadian University Campus
- Carleton University (ON)
Campuses, communities, and other building clusters are major users of energy and water and thus can have a significant environmental impact. Frequently, their buildings’ resource consumption is metered to various …
- Posted Dec. 22, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Understanding the energy consumption and occupancy of a multi-purpose academic building
- Heriot-Watt University
Building energy use associated with non-domestic buildings accounts for approximately 19% of the total UK CO2 emissions. Energy consumption in a non-domestic building is a complex issue due to a …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Energy use assessment of educational buildings: Toward a campus-wide sustainable energy policy
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- University of Florida (FL)
- Queensland University of Technology
The purpose of this article is to assess the viability of blanket sustainability policies, such as Building Rating Systems in achieving energy efficiency in university campus buildings. We analyzed the …
- Posted Dec. 12, 2017
- Publications
- View more
On-Site Energy Management by Integrating Campus Buildings and Optimizing Local Energy Systems, Case Study of the Campus in Finland
- Aalto University
This research describes the potential study on the impact of energy improvements of existing campus buildings by on-site energy management and operational strategies. The focus buildings in the campus were …
- Posted Dec. 11, 2017
- Publications
- View more
Building Energy Performance in LEED 2009 vs. LEED v4
- System WorCx (NC)
As of November 2016, newly registered LEED projects must use LEED v4. One of the key changes between LEED v4 and LEED 2009 is that option 1 under the Optimize …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Occupant Engagement Leads to Substantial Energy Savings for Plug Loads
- Keewi Inc. (CA)
Plug loads, defined as devices plugged into the wall outlet, comprise about 33% of a commercial building's total energy expenditure. Existing management technologies have overlooked the effects of building occupants …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Disruptive Tech: Beyond Net Zero Energy Onsite Water Reuse
- Natural Systems Utilities (NJ)
In addition to water scarcity, drivers to consider water reuse now include aging or inadequate infrastructure, resiliency, resource recovery and increasing costs for conventional water and sewer. Many communities are …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Success Stories: Community Colleges Tools for Achieving Energy Efficiency
- Entegrity (AR)
This poster will graphically depict the steps two community colleges took to achieve energy efficiency goals on their campuses. Community college budgets and staff are often stretched more than larger …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Literally Breaking Down Walls (Roofs and Floors too). Owner and Consultant Insight to Obtaining Sustainable Building Enclosures.
- dbHMS (IL)
Sustainable buildings require complex analysis from various participants in a project team, which is especially true for developments in the MUSH market (Municipal, University, Schools K-12, and Hospitals). In a …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Smart Buildings - Integrating PoE with the IoT
- Cree (NC)
The purpose of this presentation is to provide a better understanding of how the Internet of Things (IoT) and Power over Ethernet (PoE) have and will continue to change our …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Pareto principle for your carbon reduction goals: Purchasing offsite renewable energy while addressing stakeholder needs
- BayWa r.e. Solar Projects LLC (CA)
You want to take a big chunk out of your university's carbon footprint with a minimum of effort. This presentation will lay out a vision for making big strides in …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating a culture of operational visibility: the data-driven future of campus operations
- Atrius (CA)
Vladi will explain how, by implementing cost-effective energy-efficiency measures, many colleges and universities have the potential to cut their energy bills by 30 percent or more. Yet campus sustainability practitioners …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Sub-Metering and Energy Dashboard Networking
- Macalester College (MN)
This networking session will allow individuals already engaged in a collaborative discussion about dashboards and energy metering to touch base. Any individuals wishing to learn more and become involved or …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Using Internet of Things to Track and Curb Energy Use in Dorms at Harvard University
- Harvard University (MA)
How can we use data to inform and accelerate energy savings in undergraduate dorms? A Harvard student-led project called Networked Energy-saving Temperature Sensors (NETS) sought to answer this question by …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Effects of phase change materials (PCM) on solar thermal storage for season extension agricultural applications
- Appalachian State University (NC)
As part of on-going efforts to use solar and biomass energy for season extension in greenhouses, the NEXUS research group at Appalachian State University is exploring the use of phase …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
An Unlikely Match: Confined Budgets, Sustainable Campuses, Facade Innovation
- BNIM Architects (MO)
High performance design strategies are realized by a collaborative, interdisciplinary team working towards a shared vision. The design of the maintenance and operations building provides a diverse user group an …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Solar PV and Interactive Education
- North Central College (IL)
Solar PV technology is decreasing in cost and increasing in popularity worldwide. However, there are still many individuals who do not understand this technology, even on college campuses. Education plays …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Integrating Sustainability With Energy and Facilities Management at the Alamo Colleges District
- Alamo Community College District (TX)
Alamo Colleges District is a network of five community colleges serving the diverse population of San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas. With a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050, this …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy Monitoring as a Tool for Community Engagement
- Luther College (IA)
This poster will detail the process and results of electricity monitoring for behavior change in the Luther College Sustainability House, a residence focused on discovering what it means to live …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Deep Energy Retrofits: Warren Hall at Cornell University
- FXCollaborative (NY)
Learn how a pre-war, 130,000-square-foot classroom building at Cornell University was retrofitted to achieve LEED Platinum performance. The historic masonry building was fully renovated into a new, modern home for …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Light Up With LED
- The Ohio State University (OH)
Light Up With LED was a semester long, student-led project at the Ohio State University to educate our off-campus student population about energy efficient behaviors. Sponsored by a Coca-cola Sustainability …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Breaking Barriers to Facilities-Academic Collaboration Through Green Revolving Fund Projects at the University of Dayton
- University of Dayton (OH)
Beginning in 2016, the University of Dayton Green Revolving Fund (UDGRF) has been the primary source of funding for energy projects on campus. The purpose of the fund is twofold: …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Data-Based Assessment of Wind Power Feasibility
- Ball State University (IN)
This presentation will describe the process by which a feasibility study for wind power to supplement Ball State University's energy budget has been developed. Ball State has a commitment to …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
New England's Largest Campus Solar Project
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
In early 2017, UMass Amherst completed the installation of 5.5 MW of solar power over two parking lots and five rooftops making it the largest solar project on a college …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Cradle to Gate Life Cycle Energy Analysis
- University of Kentucky (KY)
Due to recent hysteria over climate change, investment in reusable, sustainable energy sources was promoted with the intention to replace the current energy giants: coal, oil, and natural gas. Algae …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Intervention Strategies on Student Electricity use in Campus Residence Halls
- Radford University (VA)
In this session, we discuss research that employs a quasi-experimental design to reduce student electricity use in residence halls. We examine electricity use by first-year students in four matched residence …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Raising Energy Efficiency on an Urban Campus
- Indiana University Indianapolis (IN)
As an Energy Engineering student at IUPUI, I have always idealized these initiatives to make our campus more energy-efficient. I have made a plan on how to change infrastructure and …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The Power of One: How a Physics Professor Saved Italy from Big Oil Through Education, Activism and Community Outreach
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
Trained as a physicist, Dr. Maria D'Orsogna is a hands-on activist fighting to protect the Italian countryside and seas from Big Oil. Maria first learned of proposed oil activities in …
- Posted Dec. 1, 2017
- Conference Presentations
- View more
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.