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
Comparative Analysis of Fuel Source Consumption and Economic Costs of Razorback Transit Among Alternative Fuel Sources
- University of Arkansas (AR)
Razorback Transit is the public transit system of the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. This transit system serves the University of Arkansas community (population ca. 25,000) and residents of Fayetteville, AR (population …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Behavior Change for Energy Efficiency: A Literature Review
- Western Michigan University (MI)
The first Earth Day in 1970 spurred a heightened interest in environment-focused behavior change research among social scientists. Psychologists, in particular, enthusiastically rose to the challenge. Multiple review papers have …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Design and Construction of an Anaerobic Digestion Laboratory: An Addition to the Biofuels Education and Research Facility at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The Biofuels Education and Research Facility (BERF) at Appalachian State University (ASU) originally funded by an EPA P3 grant in 2007 for the planning and construction of a closed cycle …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Pumping Kilowatts: A Look at Energy Efficiency in Fitness Centers
- Chapman University (CA)
Chapman University recently installed SportsArt’s Eco-Green cardio equipment in one of our residential fitness facilities. The SportsArt equipment captures kinetic energy and turns it into electrical energy that is then …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Driving the Clean Energy Revolution: Student Entrepreneurial Leaders Wanted - Apply Here!
- Chevrolet (OR)
As Chevrolet prepares to support a cleaner, energy efficient future for US campuses as part of its Carbon Reduction Initiative, it will also be challenging students to help engage their …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
A Design-Build Block Semester: Student Engagement Through the Creation of a Solar Garage
- Green Mountain College (VT)
This presentation tells the story of twenty-one students and one building, where pedagogy revolved around a single goal: the design and construction of a solar garage. The fifteen-credit semester was …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy from the Sun = Food + Electricity + Innovation
- Metropolitan Community College (NE)
MCC embarked on a project to integrate its solar energy program with an existing symbiotic horticulture and culinary arts program. The project seeks to provide hands-on learning experiences for solar …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Opportunities for Wind and Solar Technology Education: Stabilize Energy Costs
- MV Green Power LLC (TX)
The presenters will also describe methods of incorporating the latest information on renewable energy technologies, solar and wind, into college course curricula. We also discuss ways of integrating these renewable …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy-Saving In Student Accommodation In The UK - The Student Switch Off
- National Union of Students
This session will provide a case study of the leading student energy-saving campaign in the UK, the Student Switch Off, run by the National Union of Students. The presentation will …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Creating Awareness: A Student's Quest For Reducing Energy Consumption
- Paul Smith's College of Arts & Sciences (NY)
Our College has been dedicated to reducing and eventually eliminating its carbon emissions. In doing so, we hope to become a carbon neutral campus by 2029. Since the majority of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How North Carolina's largest community college is meeting sustainability goals, addressing deferred maintenance and saving $350,000 a year in energy costs
- Central Piedmont Community College (NC)
- Trane (TX)
Recently completed improvements at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), North Carolina’s largest community college, are expected to generate $350,000 in annual energy savings while increasing sustainability. These improvements represent a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Innovation in Metering & Dashboards: A Key to Cracking the Behavioral Nut
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
The urgency for resilience and adaptation grow stronger by the day. Obviously, central to achieving such are the behavioral changes necessary in human consumption that maximize and sustain reduction of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Shut Your Sash? Connecting Fume Hood Behavior Change Theories with the Real World
- Alliance to Save Energy (CA)
Two prestigious think tanks and a multi-campus educational program collaborated over the past year in an effort to quantitatively answer the question: “Do fume hood campaigns save energy?” Though intuitively, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Case Study: Establishing a Green Revolving Fund at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Working with the University Sustainability Council and University Foundation, Appalachian State University (ASU) is pursuing the development of a Green Revolving Loan Fund (GRLF) to support University projects that promote …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
How to Start a Renewable Energy Project at the Community College – Trustees Are Your Best Friends
- Austin Community College (TX)
It is no secret, renewable energy project is expensive. Return on
investment may be too long to attract any budget minded decision makers at your college, especially in our tough …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Attack of the Dodo-Sapiens: innovative new models for sustainable development
- Boston Architectural College (MA)
Our way of life is killing us. Whether by tradition or habit, the human race does some silly things that hurt us all in the long term. Our cities, buildings …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
From Black Gold to White Gold: An Account Of The Feasibility Of On-Campus Solar Production
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Renewable energy production represents an integral part of the solution to the global climate change crisis. In the United States, universities often represent the cutting edge of science, progress, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Harnessing Seawater: A Sustainable Solution for Thermal Comfort
- Southern Maine Community College (ME)
The installation of an innovative sea water heat exchange system in Casco Bay is an example of sustainable technology recently implemented during the renovation of the Lighthouse Building at Southern …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy Dashboards: Cross-Discplinary Opportunities for Coursework & Research
- Illinois State University (IL)
Illinois State University utilized an ESCO project to install a custom programmed energy monitoring system with the dual purpose of serving as a public classroom and research repository. Cross-collaborating with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Culture Clash: Art, Renewable Energy, Teaching, Accessibility, Research and Electrons Meet at the Solar Strand
- University at Buffalo (NY)
Sustainability is about being responsive to change and adapting; it is what fuels us to create a better tomorrow. Above all, it requires solving our problems with a different way …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Alaska Jones Searches the UAF Utilidors for the Source of Power
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
Alaska Jones searches the University of Alaska Fairbanks utilidors to find the source of heat and power at University of Alaska Fairbanks. In 2012, UAF students entered the International District …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Energy Efficiency at Valencia College: A Case Study of Retrofits and Building Automation, Green Construction, and Behavioral Savings
- Valencia College (FL)
Valencia College, a community college in Orlando, FL, constructed 66 buildings on five campuses between 1971 and 2012 and operates these buildings for their full life cycles. A critical aspect …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Environmental Sustainability in Information Technology: It's a Culture Thing
- University of Michigan (MI)
We have found that IT professionals and users of technology have not traditionally considered the impact of their computing choices on the environment. Yet, nearly every computing choice has an …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Interpreting Sustainability Initiatives: The "Greened" Aiken Center at the University of Vermont
- University of Vermont (VT)
The George D. Aiken Center, at the University of Vermont, houses the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. The Aiken Center reopened for the 2012 spring semester after undergoing …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Student Led Weatherizations at Harvard: Delivering Exponential Impact from Small Energy Retrofits
- Harvard University (MA)
Finding a way to give a broad number of students hands on experience in facility operations while making a significant impact on energy consumption is a complex process. After four …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Stakeholder Connectedness on the Susquehanna River: An Ecosystem Approach to Fracking
- Susquehanna University (PA)
This paper proposes an inventory of the Susquehanna River Basin stakeholders as an initial step toward conceptualizing a self-sustaining, resilient ecosystem comprised of the natural environment and humans. The urgency …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Accelerating Campus Sustainability in Kyoto University
- Kyoto University
After the Great East-Japan Earthquake and the followed reactor's accident in Fukushima Prefecture which occurred on May 2011, fostering a culture of sustainability, saving electricity and installing energy efficient facilities …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
University of Virginia Collaboration with Private Sector Generates Funding and Research
- University of Virginia (VA)
- Trane (TX)
Buildings account for 40 percent of the United States' energy consumption. The University of Virginia Engineering School's Rice Hall Information Technology Engineering Building is facilitating research that can help reduce …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit Program for Higher Education Facilities
- Guilford College (NC)
This presentation will explain to the audience the value of conducting ASHRAE Level II energy audits for campus facilities in an effort to identify energy conservation measures and reduce future …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Low Income Weatherization: At the Intersection of Environmental Engagement and Community Service
- Williams College (MA)
One of the ongoing challenges in campus sustainability is the need to engage students who may not primarily identify with environmental issues. For the past four years, students at our …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
The CCC/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership
- Chaffey College (CA)
- Mt. San Antonio College (CA)
- California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (CA)
The California Community Colleges (CCC) and Investor Owned Utility (IOU) Energy Efficiency Partnership has been helping the Community College system become more environmentally and fiscally sustainable since 2006. This innovative …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Green Cup: The Greek Energy Saving Competition
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Energy saving outreach efforts focused in the residence halls, such as an energy-saving competition between residence halls are effective because they can reach a concentrated student population. Unfortunately, students who …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Financing Large-Scale PV for a College or University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
How can students bring about a desired change in the energy source profile of their college? How can a university student group help their school take advantage of government incentives …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Community Energy Generation and Storage (CEGS): Missouri Homes Will Share the Load
- Missouri University of Science and Technology (MO)
Community Energy Generation and Storage (CEGS) is a new project beginning at the Missouri University of Science and Technology. This CEGS concept describes a new vision for renewable energy generation, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Fostering Sustainable Behaviour Through Energy and Water Reduction Competitions: Best Practices from Campus Conservation Nationals 2012
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
- Elon University (NC)
- Atrius (CA)
During fall of 2010 and spring of 2012 hundreds of colleges and universities participated in Campus Conservation Nationals, an electricity and water use reduction competition in residential housing. The goals …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Institutional Transformation: Leadership Challenges in Achieving a Net-Zero Building
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Hennebery Eddy Architects (OR)
Meeting the end-goal of the 2030 Challenge and achieving Net-Zero energy is an uphill climb. Creating a paradigm shift within a large, public institution is on par with scaling Mt. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Getting Help for Large Energy Efficiency Improvements at a Small College
- Wartburg College (IA)
- Schneider Electric (TX)
In 2009 our small liberal arts college partnered with an international firm to review and analyze our energy use. Since then improvements have been installed saving us over $270,000 a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Achieving Long-Term Energy Conservation Through Partnerships and Collaborations.
- Evergreen State College, The (WA)
The Evergreen State College has achieved and maintained an 18% reduction in total campus energy consumption since 2009. This presentation will describe the partnerships, projects, and internal behavioral changes that …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Partnering With Utilities for Energy Efficient Dorms - Water Heating Project Study and Other Ways to Reduce Energy
- Pepperdine University (CA)
- Enovative Group Inc
Higher Education Institutions are continually striving to reduce energy consumption for both environmental and cost reasons. As concerns rise with the cost of tuition, the institutions need to look at …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Turn Your Dorm into a 'Super Dorm'!
- New York University (NY)
Student residence halls have a unique ecological and cost footprint within most Universities. As a result, taking advantage of the many options to improve environmental performance in dorms can save …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Strategies and Collective Opportunities for Procuring Renewable Electricity for Higher Education Institutions
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive carbon reduction goals as part of their efforts to become more sustainable and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. The purchase of renewable …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Development of a GIS to Manage Campus Resources Efficiently
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge enrolls 30,000 students each year. Efficient scheduling and use of resources is paramount to successful operations. To help facilitate this, a web application, "CSUN Facilities GIS …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
New Construction as Inspiration for Energy Efficiency Retrofits: Loyola's Dumbach and Cuneo Hall
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
This presentation will share Loyola's experience in constructing a new building (Cuneo) and retrofitting a 104 year-old building (Dumbach) to achieve over 50% energy efficiency reductions in each. Working with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Designing for the Future: Building a Passive House Residence Hall at Emory & Henry College
- Emory & Henry College (VA)
Nestled in the coalfields of Southwestern Virginia, Emory & Henry College is a small liberal arts college with big plans for energy-efficient buildings. In January 2013, E&H will open its …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Lights Off. Game On. Experience with the Kukui Cup: A Next Generation Residence Hall Energy Competition
- Hawaii Pacific University (HI)
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI)
The Kukui Cup Project explores novel ways to utilize concepts from information technology, community-based social marketing, serious games, and educational pedagogy to support positive change in sustainability-related behaviors. In 2012, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Building Automation and Student Engagement
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
Building Automation and dashboard displays are becoming increasingly popular within educational institutions. Not only do they provide a visual window into the energy use of a building, but they can …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Lights Out!: Training Building Occupants to Change Energy-Consuming Behaviors
- University of Kansas (KS)
- Energy Solutions Professionals, LLC (KS)
Lights Out! was a 3-month friendly competition at the University of Kansas that pitted faculty and staff in three buildings against one another in an effort to see who could …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Mapping Renewable Energy Potential on Campus: A Case Study of a Strategic Green Fund Project
- University of Vermont (VT)
Wonder where the best solar, wind, geothermal opportunities are on your campus? In this session, we will present one institution's year long process to answer this question through the development …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Billion Dollar Green Challenge: How Campus Green Revolving Funds are Saving Energy and Money (2012)
- University of Southern California (CA)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Facing burdensome budget cuts and unstable energy costs, many colleges are grappling with how to finance urgently needed, but capital-intensive, energy efficiency retrofits. In response to this need, this workshop …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
- View more
Achieving Energy Reductions Through Behavior: Competition Best Practices and Case Study
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
This presentation would present an overview of 1) the potential for competitions and behavior change to help achieve significant energy reductions on college campuses; 2) an overview of best practices …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- 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.