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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Envisioning and Planning a Multi-Year System-Wide Sustainable Energy Initiative
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State University, in conjunction with system-wide resources from the 17-institution University of North Carolina system, is hosting the Appalachian Energy Summit on July 9-11, 2012 in Boone, North Carolina. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Magnetic Bearing Chillers: Reducing Costs, Electricity, Emissions, and Noises
- Radford University (VA)
Radford University (RU) is working towards a goal of climate neutrality. When it came time to replace the chiller that was located in Preston Hall, Radford University, consistent with its …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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THIS SUCKS! Addressing Vampire Energy on College and University Campuses
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
Vampire Energy Slayers was developed to raise awareness of vampire energy consumption at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Vampire energy accounts for over 10% of the electrical …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing Large Scale Solar on Campus: Lessons Learned
- University of San Diego (CA)
- AMSOLAR International (CA)
The University of San Diego entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement in 2010 with AMSOLAR, a solar development company focused on the education sector. The project was completed in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Power of Collaboration to Grow the Clean Energy Economy
- College of Lake County (IL)
- Heartland Community College (IL)
With the rapid emergence of energy efficiency and clean energy innovations, the higher education sector must meet new demands to maintain up-to-date facilities, to retain a highly skilled staff, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Light at the Jacobs University Bremen. Shift to LED. Savings up to 70 %
- Jacobs University
To address the challenge of restructuring the energy sector towards renewable energies, the energy efficiency has been seen as a the improvement potential with the best cost to benefit ratio. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Assessing Biodiesel Vehicle Performance in a Public Transportation Facility that Serves a University: Appalcart Biodiesel Fleet Performance at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalcart is a Public Transportation Authority that has a cooperative relationship with Appalachian State University (Appstate) to provide free public transportation for the Town of Boone and Watauga County in …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Assessing the Impact and Potential of a Student-Initiated and Maintained Small-Scale Biodiesel Production Facility: The Biodiesel Facility at Appalachian State University
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Since 2006 Appalachian State University (Appstate) in Boone, North Carolina has had a small-scale Biodiesel Research and Educational Facility capable of producing 100 gallons of biodiesel a week. The facility …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Energy Simulations Guiding Facility Retrofits: Connecting Student Learning Outcomes to Facility Efficiency
- Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GA)
- Georgia Perimeter College (GA)
Facilities improvements on existing institutional buildings can support student learning outcomes, inter-institutional collaborations, and industry partner collaboration, especially amidst institutional budgetary challenges. A community college in the Southeastern U.S. is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sharing the Spirit "Do It In the Dark" Energy Conservation Challenge
- Green Mountain College (VT)
Green Mountain College's Student Campus Greening Fund, a committee that is student funded, student run and implements student projects helped fund the college's Energy Dashboard. The touch-screen monitors are part …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing and Operating a Certified "Living Building:" Meeting Certification and Maintaining Net-Zero Energy
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
The Tyson Living Learning Center at Washington University in St. Louis opened in May 2009 and on October 12, 2010 became one of the first two buildings in the world …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Murray State University Takes Advantage of Smartgrid Volt/VAR Optimization Technology
- Murray State University (KY)
- Honeywell (NH)
In February 2010. UtiliData, Inc. commissioned a Smartgrid Volt/VAR Optimization system on the campus of Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. The system was based upon the AdaptiVolt™ Volt/VAR Optimization …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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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.