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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Stanford achieves dramatic greenhouse gas emissions reductions to surpass state, national, and international climate targets
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI) is a new campus energy system powered by renewables, designed to meet the current and future energy needs of Stanford University in an environmentally, socially, …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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KMRB Energy Reduction Project
- University of Rochester (NY)
The University of Rochester’s Medical Center operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week in a 5.4 million square foot complex. Facilities Operations is responsible for providing conditioned air for …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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American University in Cairo 2017 Carbon Footprint Report
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
The first step of reducing a university’s carbon footprint is measuring its current size. The 2017 Carbon Footprint Report is the 4th in the American University in Cairo’s Carbon Footprint …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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Project Green Step 2030: Catawba College Campus Solar Energy Installation
- Catawba College (NC)
Catawba College completed a solar energy project in 2016 that is projected to produce more solar electricity than all the other North Carolina colleges and universities combined. This was the …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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The University of Virginia as a Living Lab for Solar Energy
- University of Virginia (VA)
Over the next five years, The University of Virginia hopes to install 1-2 megawatts of solar PV on grounds. To help prioritize projects, UVA turned to the School of Engineering …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Publications
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Wind Power Feasibility Study for Ball State University
- Ball State University (IN)
Based on two years of site-specific wind speed measurements and actual power curve performance estimates of five commercial wind turbines, a feasibility study of wind-power potential near Ball State University …
- Posted May 16, 2017
- Publications
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Florida Gulf Coast University Emerging Technologies Institute
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
The FGCU Emerging Technologies institute is an off campus institute designed to facilitate projects and research in regards to sustainable technology. Projects will be geared towards environmental sustainability and renewable …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Biofuels and Bioproducts Research Lab
- University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
The focus of research at the Biofuels and Bioproducts research lab includes studying the chemical makeup of algae and the economic and physical feasibility of optimizing it as an alternative …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Northeastern University Center for Renewable Energy Technology (NUCRET)
- Northeastern University (MA)
NUCRET leads the national and worldwide effort in developing the fuel cells of the future based on the platinum free catalysts, as well as novel chemistries for advanced rechargeable batteries …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Research Centers & Institutes
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A comparative study of the efficacy of intervention strategies on student electricity use in campus residence halls
- Radford University (VA)
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether, and how, electricity consumption by students in university residence halls were impacted through three intervention strategies.
Design/methodology/approach: The …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Publications
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University Colloquium | Service Learning Project
- Florida Gulf Coast University (FL)
This video was created by students for a colloquium class project to address some of the projects and initiatives FGCU does to decrease our carbon footprint within the energy sector. …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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PowerZee – Sustainable Change through User Engagement
- Nanyang Technological University
- ENGIE (TX)
PowerZee (formerly PowerZ) is a smartphone application (‘app’) developed by NTU, along with industry partner ENGIE, for energy conservation and sustainability through user engagement. The application fosters knowledge and nudges …
- Posted May 11, 2017
- Case Studies
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LEED® Platinum - University of Miami Frost School of Music Studios
- University of Miami (FL)
The Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music is one of the largest and best music schools located in a private university in the U.S., and one of the most …
- Posted May 11, 2017
- Case Studies
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Fostering STEM literacy through a tabletop wind turbine environmental science laboratory activity
- University of Southern Maine (ME)
Increasingly, national education policy is focusing on improving science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) literacy by using energy as a subject matter. In particular, The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS …
- Posted May 5, 2017
- Publications
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Greening Federal Grants: Why there is a need to connect efficiency to federal funding for research at universities
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
- AASHE (MA)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (CO)
This webinar will includes two parts: PART 1: The Department of Energy (DOE) will provide an overview of the DOE Smart Labs Accelerator Program which was launched at the 2016 …
- Posted May 4, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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University of California, Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Three: Why your old phones collect in a junk drawer of sadness
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the third episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted May 4, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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San Jose State University Chiller Plant Improvements
- San Jose State University (CA)
The Chilled Water Plant underwent a major retrofit which was completed in 2012, which included the replacement of two electric chillers and the re-piping of the plant to allow the …
- Posted May 3, 2017
- Case Studies
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UMass Amherst Students Bike for Sustainable Smoothies on Earth Day
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
On Friday, April 21st, the University of Massachusetts Amherst celebrated Earth Day at the 47th annual Earth Day Festival. Various sustainability-related organizations on campus and in the greater Pioneer Valley …
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Photographs
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Earth Day 2017: Campus Program and Activities
- Bridgewater College (VA)
- Earth Day 2017 Celeberation on Campus
- Tree planting ceremony *Pictures showing is part of an effort to raise awareness on campus about the ubiquitous nature of plastic in our lives …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Earth Fest 2017 celebrates Space, Energy, and Water
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
EDINBURG & BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS—APRIL 19-20, 2017-- This year’s Earth Fest theme is Space, Energy, and Water, featuring three guest speakers, an Exhibitor Expo, and a Dinner & Movie night—each on …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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SMCC STEMS Club Earth Day Event
- South Mountain Community College (AZ)
This semester the STEMS club successfully built a bike charging station, built and flew racing drones, grew flowers in the greenhouse and are composting landscape waste. It was a great …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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Central Community College Hastings Wind Turbine Tour
- Central Community College (NE)
Students, staff, and community members enjoyed a presentation on the new 1.7 MW wind turbine at Central Community College Hastings from the Bluestem Energy Solutions project manager.
Also at Central …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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EarthTones - Earth Day events at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The Appalachian State University chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASUSES) hosted the annual "Earth Tones" event on April 21. This event uses solar energy to power a day-long …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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SJSU Student Health and Wellness Center
- San Jose State University (CA)
The Student Health and Counseling facility was constructed to enhance access for students living on campus while balancing convenient care for the growing residential population through both location and features …
- Posted April 26, 2017
- Case Studies
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Start Your Next Renewable Energy Project with Little or No Cost
- Austin Community College (TX)
- Understand stakeholders’ roles with renewable energy projects – it takes a village to raise a renewable energy project.
- Review available funding sources for renewable energy projects – Look around, you …
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Energy Efficiency Assessment at Texas State University
- Texas State University, San Marcos (TX)
- How to calculate CO2 emissions from purchased electricity?
- What are the most important financial factors in energy efficiency assessment?
- How different energy efficiency plans can affect financial outcomes in a …
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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How Campus Solar Cuts Carbon and Boosts the Bottom Line
- Edison Energy (CA)
- Dallas College (TX)
Learning Outcome 1: Learn how to assess on campus solar potential Learning Outcome 2: Understand how to compare on-site and off-site approaches Learning Outcome 3: Gain insight on how to …
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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Embracing Sustainability at Alamo Colleges
- Alamo Community College District (TX)
Alamo Colleges is a network of five community colleges serving San Antonio, TX and surrounding areas. As a signatory in one of Second Nature's three Climate Leadership Commitments, Alamo Colleges …
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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The Deceptive Metric
- Kirksey Architecture (TX)
- This presentation will outline limitations that abound metrics like Energy Use Intensity and Noise Levels.
- Audience will understand how building codes can be leveraged to inform Sustainability Master Plans.
- This …
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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INhouse : a design|build project focused on collaboration, student engagement, and situational design
- California Polytechnic State University (CA)
INhouse was a net-zero residence designed by a collaborative Cal Poly San Luis Obispo team in response to the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2015.
The Solar Decathlon is …
- Posted April 24, 2017
- Case Studies
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Leveraging Sub-Meter Data as Feedback to Engage Community Members and Save Energy on Shoestring Staffing and Funding
- Macalester College (MN)
- AASHE (MA)
Macalester College has leveraged no-cost and open-source solutions to provide feedback to community members while, simultaneously, informing facilities about energy-saving opportunities to further advance its sub-metering initiatives. Whether you find …
- Posted April 20, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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LED Light Bulbs at Yukon College
- Yukon University (YT)
inCharge exists to put some power back in your hands. Yukon’s two electrical utilities have come together to create the territory-wide inCharge program, offering electricity-saving rebates and incentives, Yukon-based research, …
- Posted April 20, 2017
- Photographs
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ConnecTable Team AASHE Earth Day Photo
- Sunbolt (PA)
The ConnecTable team with their new solar charging station model the Hub in front of headquarters in Willow Grove, PA.
- Posted April 17, 2017
- Photographs
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Empowering the New Energy Workforce: Best Practices for Campus Energy Education & Internships
- AASHE (MA)
- California State University, Bakersfield (CA)
- University of California, Merced (CA)
- Skyline College (CA)
- College of the Desert (CA)
- Strategic Energy Innovations (CA)
Hear first-hand from a diverse set of California colleges that are creating student internships and work-based learning opportunities to support energy and sustainability career pathways. This webinar highlights campus outcomes, …
- Posted April 17, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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How to Reduce Your School's Carbon Footprint – For Free!
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- AASHE (MA)
- TerraPass (CA)
UCapture offsets users’ carbon footprint, for free, when they shop with 2000+ partners. Their platform harnesses the power of consumers to build the “cost of carbon” into every transaction – …
- Posted April 3, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Quantity and Electricity Consumption of Plug Load Equipment on a University Campus
- Stanford University (CA)
The percent of energy consumed by plug load equipment in commercial buildings is on the rise. Research conducted in the past has included surveying plug load equipment, measuring plug load …
- Posted April 3, 2017
- Publications
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Green Gigawatt Partnership: Reinventing Renewable Power Purchase Agreements for Higher Education
- AASHE (MA)
- Edison Energy (CA)
The higher education renewable energy market has grown dramatically in recent years as campus buyers have executed power purchase agreements (PPAs). But for all of the successes, two substantial obstacles …
- Posted March 30, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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From Reactive to Proactive: Findings From Analyzing 400 School Buildings
- AASHE (MA)
- CopperTree Analytics (WA)
Facility teams are extremely busy, and have a growing workload that is tackled with resources that are spread increasingly thin. Automating even a small portion of their jobs can free …
- Posted March 21, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Do Green Buildings Outperform Conventional Buildings? Indoor Environment and Energy Performance in North American Offices
A comprehensive post-occupancy investigation of the performance of ìgreenî and ìconventionalî office buildings has been completed. The study included occupant surveys and physical building and energy use data collected from …
- Posted March 20, 2017
- Publications
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Texas A&M gets ‘gold’ rating for campus sustainability
- Texas A&M University (TX)
- AASHE (MA)
- Posted March 14, 2017
- Publications
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Large-Scale Renewables: The Next Chapter in Higher Education Sustainability Leadership
- Second Nature (MA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
Higher education is uniquely positioned to both expand and benefit from climate leadership. Many universities and colleges have substantially stepped up their commitments and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). …
- Posted March 14, 2017
- Publications
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Renewable Energy 100: The Course to a Carbon-Free Campus
- Allegheny College (PA)
- University at Albany (NY)
- Georgetown University (DC)
- Butte College (CA)
- Ball State University (IN)
- University of Louisville (KY)
- University of Delaware (DE)
America’s institutions of higher education can play a crucial role in the fight to prevent the worst impacts of global warming. Colleges and universities across the country should aggressively deploy …
- Posted March 14, 2017
- Publications
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Sharing the Load: Aggregating Renewable Energy Purchases with Others
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
The idea of pooling resources to increase bargaining power is not new. But it is being newly applied to renewable energy purchases. Now, no matter the size or location of …
- Posted March 9, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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SAVE Sustainable Actions Visible Effects
- Pomona College (CA)
Project Overview Pomona-College is excited to present their innovative partnership with MelRok, “The Streaming Energy Innovator”. This partnership is the foundation of Pomona’s SAVE, Sustainable Actions Visible Effects initiative to …
- Posted March 9, 2017
- Case Studies
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University of Chicago New Construction Procurement Case Study: Securing Your Investment in Sustainability
- University of Chicago (IL)
- Second Nature (MA)
- AASHE (MA)
- Seventhwave (WI)
Join AASHE and Second Nature for an in-depth look under the hood of the University of Chicago’s innovative procurement approach to establish a measurable energy performance requirement in their new …
- Posted March 7, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Taking Carbon Off-Setting Beyond the Campus
- Furman University (SC)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar tells the story of the Community Conservation Corps (CCC), a community weatherization program run through the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability at Furman University. The CCC was …
- Posted Feb. 23, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Plans and Living Practices for the Green Campus of Portland State University
- Portland State University (OR)
This study aims to comprehend Portland State University (PSU)’s green campus strategies, and students’ level of knowledge and living practices relating to green campus. PSU’s sustainable campus plan has been …
- Posted Feb. 21, 2017
- Publications
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Encouraging Revolving Door Usage in a Mixed-Use Building: The Influence of Visual Prompts and Descriptive Social Norms
- Lesley University (MA)
This field experiment investigated effects of a descriptive norms-based sign combined with five footprint sticker decal prompts directing individuals to help save energy by using a revolving door, as opposed …
- Posted Feb. 20, 2017
- Publications
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AASHE Award Winner Webinar - Developing Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Strategies Through Student Research
- University of Houston (TX)
- University of Michigan (MI)
- AASHE (MA)
Student groups at the University of Houston and University of Michigan have developed strategies for energy efficiency and water conservation on campus through research.
At the University of Michigan, a …
- Posted Feb. 16, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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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.