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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Renewable Energy, (Certificate)
- Northeastern University (MA)
The Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy focuses on the combination of analysis and integration of energy systems engineering technology with key renewable engineering technology, including solar and wind generation, with …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Renewable Energy (BS)
- Texas Tech University (TX)
The Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, prepares students for a career in many segments of the industry by offering courses on …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Renewable Energy (Minor)
- Texas Tech University (TX)
This minor consists of 18 hours of undergraduate wind energy courses. A minimum of 9 hours of RE coursework must be taken at the 3000 level or above. All courses …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Energy Technology (AAS)
- Central Community College (NE)
Students in the Energy Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program are prepared to enter the field as installation or maintenance technicians in energy technology, such as photovoltaic or …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Advanced Energy (Certificate)
- Central Community College (NE)
The purpose of the Advanced Energy Certificate is to provide students with the skills needed for employment in the Energy Technology industry.
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Master of Sustainability: Energy Security (MSs)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
Master of Sustainability: Energy Security-The mission of the Energy Security stream is to empower a network of northern, Indigenous, remote, and career professionals through distance education and purpose-driven practical experience …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Community Energy Planning and Finance (Certificate)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
The Graduate Certificate in Community Energy Planning and Finance provides tools for planning and financing community renewable energy projects. This certificate can be taken as a standalone program or used …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Energy Transitions (Certificate)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
The Graduate Certificate in Energy Transitions is designed for professionals who seek to better understand how to navigate policy processes for transitioning to renewable energy. This certificate can be taken …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Energy Management (MS, EM)
- The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)
The Master of Science in Energy Management is a 36 semester credit hours STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degree program. This program is designed to train the next generation …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Sustainable Energy Systems (Minor)
- South Dakota State University (SD)
The Sustainable Energy Systems Minor is appropriate for students interested in gaining a background in sustainability, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. The minor helps to prepare graduates with training …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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50001 Ready Energy Management Assessment
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Using this Excel-based tool, you can assess what management practices you already have in place that can be leveraged to meet ISO 50001 requirements, and get valuable insight into “gaps” …
- Posted Nov. 6, 2023
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Lighting up the lab
- University of Southern California (CA)
A graduate fellow with the USC Dornsife Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, Thabassum Ahammad, demonstrates the research they're conducting in the lab.
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
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Optimizing kelp growth
- University of Southern California (CA)
A USC diver attaches seaweed to a prototype of a device called the “kelp elevator.” Raising and lowering kelp on the elevator accelerates its growth, proving the potential for mass-produced …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
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JHU achieves greenhouse gas reduction goal through solar agreement
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Johns Hopkins University exceeded its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 51% by 2025 several years early through a long-term agreement with Constellation. The solar agreement is the largest among …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
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W&L's new off-site solar array
- Washington and Lee University (VA)
W&L partnered with solar developer SE1 to construct an array that generates electricity equal to 100% of W&L's annual electricity consumption. The solar power will go onto the regional power …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
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Austin Community College, Rio Grande Campus LEED Platinum Renovation Project
- Austin Community College (TX)
Austin Community College LEED Platinum Renovation - The Rio Grande Campus project involved the renovation of a nearly 100-year-old campus building, and is the first LEED Platinum certification for Austin …
- Posted Sept. 2, 2023
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Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley campus solar array
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
The Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs is one of the college's 11 campuses. and is home to one of the largest solar arrays in Colorado. Besides providing …
- Posted Aug. 31, 2023
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Carbon neutrality for the Université de Sherbrooke
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
Université de Sherbrooke redoubled efforts and achieved carbon neutrality in spring 2022, 8 years ahead of its 2030 target. Emissions reduction efforts include purchasing renewable natural gas, installing heat pumps …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
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Implementation of an ambitious energy efficiency program
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
The Université de Sherbrooke has taken advantage of a period of growth from 2002-2003 to 2020-2021 to roll out an ambitious energy efficiency program on its campuses, aiming to reduce …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
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Energy efficiency : the Creative Studio
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
In the last 20 years, construction and major renovation projects of the Université de Sherbrooke have included high-performance energy efficiency measures that reduced the energy consumption of the buildings by …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2023
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HKUST the First to Launch New ESG Investment Policy for its Net-Zero Carbon Goal
- Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (Hong Kong)
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) became the first university in Hong Kong to make a pledge to eliminate investments in fossil fuels, with a concrete environmental, …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2023
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Central Community College-Hastings Fall Friday Bike Ride
- Central Community College (NE)
CCC's environmental sustainability office held a bike ride from the Hastings Campus to the wind turbine in 2020. The activity was to stress the importance of alternate transportation and to …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2023
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Scientists study solar panel-topped ponds
- Cornell University (NY)
Reseach into preserve agricultural land for crops and conservation lands for wildlife, place floating photovoltaic panels on lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
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Earth Source Heat (ESH) is Cornell's version of a deep geothermal system
- Cornell University (NY)
Cornell constructed a 10,000-foot deep observatory borehole, the Cornell University Borehole Observatory (CUBO). CUBO will enable researchers to study how much heat can be produced by geothermal energy.
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
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Photovoltaic panel
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
With a capacity of 1 MW, the solar park of the Université de Sherbrooke is the largest dedicated to applied research in Canada. Photovoltaic panels are located in various places …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
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Solar Park
- Université de Sherbrooke (QC)
With a capacity of 1 MW, the solar park of the Université de Sherbrooke is the largest dedicated to applied research in Canada. Photovoltaic panels are located in various places …
- Posted Aug. 28, 2023
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Bennington College Commons Building
- Bennington College (VT)
This holistic remaking of the historic and beloved center of campus community life combines dining, social, and academic areas within a collection of dynamic spaces. The building is animated by …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2023
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Solar Panels at The Catholic University of America
- The Catholic University of America (DC)
Solar Panels at The Catholic University of America.
- Posted Aug. 22, 2023
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Greening the Bottom Line: Advancing Institutional Sustainability Goals With Green Revolving Funds
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Greening the Bottom Line: Advancing Institutional Sustainability Goals with Green Revolving Funds tracks the latest trends and highlights best practices to enable more institutions and communities to learn about and …
- Posted Aug. 17, 2023
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Rethinking education for SDG 7: A framework for embedding gender and critical skills in energy access masters programmes in Africa
- University of Cape Town
To address the complex energy access challenges on the African continent a local skilled workforce is needed. Considering the crucial role distributed and renewable energy (DRE) is expected to play …
- Posted June 15, 2023
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Is IoT monitoring key to improve building energy efficiency? Case study of a smart campus in Spain
- University of Zaragoza
This work validates and demonstrates the potential of a methodology based on a continuous monitoring system with real time measurements, as a key support to make decisions on buildings energy …
- Posted June 15, 2023
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Transdisciplinary learning exercise on post occupancy evaluation and retrofitting of built spaces
- College of Engineering Trivandrum
The need to develop sustainable strategies and solutions to design and retrofit buildings to be comfortable living environments that reduce energy and resource consumption is crucial in achieving the sustainable …
- Posted June 15, 2023
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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Energy Consumption in Office Buildings: A Case Study of an Australian University Campus
- University of Technology Sydney
- University of Twente
Building energy management, in terms of both adopted technologies and occupant consumption behaviour, is becoming an essential element of sustainability and climate change mitigation programs. The global COVID-19 pandemic and …
- Posted June 15, 2023
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Understanding the impact of state-level financial incentives on the deployment of renewable energy at colleges and universities
- Georgia State University (GA)
Over 400 colleges and universities have signed carbon reduction pledges through Second Nature. Nonetheless, a review of their greenhouse gas inventories shows that many universities continue to show limited or …
- Posted June 15, 2023
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What is Ecological Economics?
- United States Society for Ecological Economics (PA)
This document is a very brief description of the field of ecological economics, which purports to be more trans-disciplinary than environmental economics. The former also claims to have closer ties …
- Posted June 8, 2023
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Sustainable Lab Community Engagement Campaign
- McGill University (QC)
McGill University is working toward two ambitious sustainability targets: to become zero-waste by 2035 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. As one of the top research universities in Canada …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Food Waste to Energy: From Pilot Scale Biogas to Grid Tied CHP on a Campus Farm
- Dickinson College (PA)
The Dickinson College Farm is culminating a multi-year project to convert campus food waste to sustainable energy through a grid-connected biogas system. Biogas is a carbon neutral, renewable alternative to …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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University of Cincinnati Utilities Water Reclamation Project
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
This is a water reclamation project from the on campus utility plant. Wastewater collection piping was installed running through the power plant, a catch basin for the collected water including …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Yale Undergrad Confronts the Emanating Climate Threat of Refrigerant Leaks through the Yale Refrigerants Initiative (YRI)
- Yale University (CT)
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, many (if not all) universities’ sustainability offices had to reimagine what engaging with their communities looked like and how they’d meet campus sustainability …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Ameresco leads partnership in establishing Colorado’s largest of its kind battery energy storage system complex at Colorado Mountain College
- Colorado Mountain College (CO)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
As the largest installation of its kind in Colorado, completed in September 2022, the combined solar and battery work furthers HCE’s goal of increasing the clean energy sources it provides …
- Posted May 31, 2023
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Reducing Energy in the Campus Theatre Complex
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Rudder Theatre Complex (RTC) supports a large variety of campus events. Whether it is a Broadway show or new student and family orientation session, the RTC experiences high usage year-round. …
- Posted May 22, 2023
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Community Solar: Supercharging the Equitable Energy Transition
- Solar Energy Industries Association (DC)
The U.S. is at a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change and must take decisive action to build an equitable clean energy economy. In this presentation, David Gahl …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Lightning Talks: Campus Operations (Group 2)
- Stanford University (CA)
- Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e (CA)
- Timber Framers Guild (NH)
This session consists of 3 15-minute Lightning Talk sessions related to campus operations. The Lightning Talks are: Stanford Shines: A Decade-Long Decarbonization Journey .. and We've Just Gotten Started - …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Dynamic Cooling Load Management via Room Set Point Adjustments
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford University’s COOLER research program began in the summer of 2020 and ran through 2022. This unique collaboration between the Land, Buildings, and Real Estate’s (LBRE) “Operations” team and a …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Dissecting Decarbonization: Proven Clean Energy Solutions for Campuses
- Bard College (NY)
- Colorado State University (CO)
- Pace University (NY)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Decarbonization is the latest buzzword around energy and climate solutions. What do campus decarbonization projects look like on the ground? How are they financed and implemented? Which technologies are proven, …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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Energy and carbon reduction - A total holistic approach by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Nanyang Technological University
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been actively implementing various energy reduction efforts to promote sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint. The university recognizes the importance of energy conservation and has …
- Posted May 17, 2023
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The State of Renewable Energy In Higher Education
- AASHE (MA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
This slide deck identifies and summarizes important renewable energy trends in higher education so that campuses can learn from each other as they transition to renewable energy. It is based …
- Posted May 12, 2023
- Publications
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CSUF Unleashes 1.16MW of Solar Power
- California State University, Fullerton (CA)
With a flip of the switch, Cal State Fullerton continues to capitalize on the power of the sun.
The university today celebrated the completion of a solar-energy network for the …
- Posted April 19, 2023
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Renewable Energy Trends in Higher Ed: Different Solutions for Different Institutions
- Brown University (RI)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
- Michigan State University (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
Colleges and universities are buying more renewable energy than ever. Their strategies are evolving and increasing, including: onsite, offsite, PPAs, Utility Green Tariffs, Retail Renewables, unbundled RECs, and emerging approaches. …
- Posted March 23, 2023
- Videos & Webinars
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Energy Sustainability Graduate Certificate
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
- University of South Florida (FL)
Concerns about future economic growth, standards of living, and environmental quality have made sustainable energy a top priority worldwide. The goal of this certificate program is to provide students with …
- Posted Feb. 23, 2023
- Academic Programs
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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.