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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When Do Variable Flow Fume Hoods Save Energy? implications for lab design and behavior modification
- Boston University (MA)
Many university sustainability websites indicate the importance of using variable flow fume hoods and devising programs to ensure they are closed when not in use in order to reduce energy …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Living and Learning in a Passive House Residence Hall
- Unity Environmental University (ME)
In the fall of 2011, ten students will move into a unique campus residence, TerraHaus, the first American college residence designed to meet the Passive House standard, the highest international …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating Partnerships for More Effective Energy-Saving Competitions
- New York University (NY)
Campus residential energy saving competitions have become critical elements of many universities' sustainability engagement and environmental performance efforts. One such method for reductions is campus competitions. Residents are encouraged to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Management in the Curriculum: The ENERGY STAR Course for Colleges and Universities
- American University (DC)
- Cadmus Group, Inc. (FL)
Understanding the fundamentals of energy management is a marketable skill in any economic climate. Further, understanding the means to and metrics of energy efficiency, and how policy decisions intertwine with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bridging the Information Gap in Campus Energy Management: Submetering Buildings for Energy Use Reduction
- American University (DC)
- Cadmus Group, Inc. (FL)
Colleges and universities often prefer the simplicity of measuring the energy use of many buildings, or even an entire campus, with a single meter installed at minimal expense. However, as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Business Case for Behavior-Based Conservation Programs at Stanford
- Stanford University (CA)
Behavior-based conservation programs yield lower energy and cost savings than those achieved via major building system retrofits, but such programs engage individuals and make sustainability more tangible. When purposefully constructed …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building an Electric Car in the Classroom - An Experiment in Project Based Learning
- Alfred State College (NY)
In the fall semester of 2010 a class of seventh semester seniors in the Alfred State College Mechanical Engineering Technology program successfully produced a road legal, all-electric vehicle from a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Learning from the Solar Decathlon: abrasion, collaboration, and transformation
- University of Florida (FL)
The Solar Decathlon, a biannual international collegiate competition sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DOE), challenges 20 interdisciplinary student teams from around the world to design, build and operate …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Maximizing Dorm Energy Savings with Intelligent HVAC Controls
- New York University (NY)
Universities can reduce their HVAC energy use in Residence Halls by 25-32% by installing occupancy based thermostat controls. Traditionally when occupants are allowed to heat and cool as much as …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An Overview of Biomass Energy Technologies for Campuses
- Biomass Energy Resource Center (VT)
Biomass is a renewable energy option that can be used for heating, cooling, power, and combined heat and power for college and university campuses. There are many biomass technology options, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Isn't "Free"
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
Our university recently undertook a campuswide program designed to ensure that the excellence of our administrative environment matches its research and teaching, and to direct the maximum level of resources …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Identifying Energy Conservation Measures. Tailoring Retro-commissioning to meet your needs.
- New York University (NY)
Retro-commissioning (RCx) has been identified as a definitive way to determine Energy Conservation Measures at an often less than one year payback. This briefing will discuss lessons learned and best …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Net-Zero Study on a Community College
- University of Dayton (OH)
During the 1960's and early 1970's, on average, of one community colleges was opened every week (Breneman & Nelson). Therefore, colleges in the same regions are likely to have similar …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Engaging Students to Generate a Zero Plus Campus
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
The Zero Plus Campus Project (Z+ Project) is developing an innovative interdisciplinary curriculum focused on modeling the integrated performance of buildings in the landscape to regenerate the campus environment with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Research on Energy Savings Opportunities in University Libraries
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
While HVAC equipment shutdowns have long been recognized as a strategic option for achieving energy savings, the particular requirements of preservation environments for university library collections make such strategies difficult …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Development and Implementation of the Calvin Energy Recovery Fund
- Calvin University (MI)
Typically, the first and least expensive recommended step in addressing climate change and peak energy concerns at an institutional level is improved energy efficiency. Yet, few organizations move forward with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Laboratory for a Sustainable Energy Course
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
At our university all students are required to complete a general education science lecture course, a science and society lecture course, and a laboratory course that accompanies one of these …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UCSB's Student Services Renewable Energy Initiative and the Net Zero Project
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
The Student Services Renewable Energy Initiative is a major component of our University's Division of Student Affairs' goal to achieve Zero Net Energy and LEED EB Gold Status for its …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Group Projects for a Sustainability Symposium
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
Since we have 240 students enrolled in sections of the introductory sustainable energy course and 40 sustainable energy studies majors in upper division courses, we put on a Sustainability Symposium …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lights Off Cornell: Students Use Mobile Apps for Energy Conservation
- Cornell University (NY)
Launched in Spring 2010, Lights Off Cornell (LOC) is a student-led energy conservation program that organizes Cornell students, faculty, and staff to turn off lights after hours Monday through Friday …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Towards Green Campuses In Egypt: Using Simulation Tools for Optimization of Drawing Halls in Egypt
- Mansoura University
The paper describes the use of simulation tools for optimizing the energy demands of drawing halls in Mansoura University, as a part of the strategy "Towards green campuses in Egypt"".
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Exploiting In-State Rivalries for Energy Conservation - the Take Charge! Challenge in Kansas
- Kansas State University (KS)
Energy conservation competitions are increasingly common at colleges and universities, but few move beyond the boundaries of individual institutions. This presentation will report on the results of the Take Charge! …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability in Campus Operations at Three Higher Education Institutions in Tompkins County, New York.
- New York Institute of Technology - Manhattan Campus (NY)
This paper demonstrates how the three higher education institutions in Tompkins County, New York are making good progress in the planning and implementation of actions to make campus operations more …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Conservation Nationals 2012: Building a collaborative strategy for expanding conservation events in residential housing
- Atrius (CA)
For a growing number of schools, resource use reduction competitions within and between campuses have proven to be useful mechanisms to engage, educate, motivate and empower individual and community stewardship. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Leading by Example: Advancing Sustainability at the Institutional Level Through Performance Contracting
- Siemens Industry, Inc. (IL)
This school has embarked on a campus-wide, state-wide, 5-phase holistic energy project over 8 years that is estimated at a staggering $60 million in energy efficiency retrofits. A project of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Academic Infusion of Sustainability: Leading Faculty and Curriculum Developers Share Best Practices
- Ball State University (IN)
- Alliance to Save Energy (CA)
Training emerging professionals about sustainability concepts needs to happen both in and out of the classroom in order to meet ambitious national workforce education and training goals. The process of …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Zero energy home constructed by students built to NAHB green standards
- Alfred State College (NY)
The college has been constructing homes with a student workforce as part of the curriculum since 1966 and selling them to the public. House number 51 is built to the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Academic Computing Through Centralized Virtualization
- Alfred State College (NY)
Computer and information technology students require 24 hour access to powerful desktop computer workstations in order to complete lab assignments that may involve several virtual client and server computers. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Remote Controlled 2-Axis Photovoltaic Mount with Metering
- Alfred State College (NY)
Senior students designed a remote controlled azimuth and altitude adjusting PV mount. The project allows students in an alternative energy course to change the PV module's slope and azimuth and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Wide Energy Challenge: Success through Unique Strategies and Diverse Collaborations
- Allegheny College (PA)
After committing to a Climate Action Plan and undertaking multiple energy efficiency retrofits, Allegheny College tackled the development of an effective yet feasible Energy Challenge. It was conceived as a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing a Large-Scale Solar Project on Campus
- AMSOLAR International (CA)
A large private university entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement in 2010 with a solar development company focused on the education sector. The project was completed in fall 2010 …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Appalachian State University Renewable Energy Initiative: Education for the Future
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The Renewable Energy Initiative, ASUREI, is a student-led organization funded by student fees. We seek to reduce the environmental impact of our university in Boone, NC by funding, designing and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Obtaining Wind and Solar-Produced Electricity for Your Campus
- Austin Energy (TX)
Wind and solar farm developers need credit-worthy customers willing to commit to long-term purchase contracts for the energy that these facilities will generate. Some colleges and universities have an appetite …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Dynamic Dashboard and Campus Design Platform
- Buro Happold (NY)
The platform is a web-based 3-D city performance visualization and analysis program; an interactive dashboard of portfolio performance and conceptual strategy development. It visualizes large amounts of building/portfolio performance data …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Feasibility Study of Bio-Gas Digesters and Composting Systems for A University Campus
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Our research examines the feasibility of building and operating a biogas digestion unit for Carnegie Mellon University as a way to compost organic waste, offset energy use, and output a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Partnerships Achieving Breakthrough Energy and Greenhouse Performance Utilizing Innovative Investment Strategies
- Drexel University (PA)
Innovative business models and financing solutions are required to drive the next level of efficiency and sustainability on campus. Blue Hill Partners, a Philadelphia based firm, has teamed with the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Monitoring Energy Use to Educate Students and Reduce Energy Consumption
- Guilford College (NC)
The Energy Allowance Program allows residents living in the North Apartment suites and the Theme Houses a monthly energy allowance. This program raises awareness about personal energy use, which helps …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Go Green Reporting Service and Gadget: Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Computing
- Indiana University Bloomington (IN)
Driven by a desire to better understand the impact of personal computing on the environment, the GoGreen Gadget aims to change user behavior by showing participants how much electricity and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bike Shelter Project: Promoting Green Energy and Green Transportation
- Ithaca College (NY)
This presentation will detail the results of an undergraduate's semester-long sustainability project exploring the feasibility of a bike shelter with integrated renewable energy technology. The student researched the technology options, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing An Energy Management Strategy for Campus Residence Halls: The View from the Trenches
- James Madison University (VA)
Residence halls can account for significant proportions of campus energy use. Strategically managing this building portfolio is a challenge, and encompasses behavioral, operational, and technical management. This paper reports on …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Understanding the Limits of Student Conservation Efforts on Campus Energy Consumption
- James Madison University (VA)
Many campus sustainability initiatives focus heavily on student energy conservation in residence halls. However, outside of energy competitions using such feedback tools as dashboards and kiosks, there is little evidence …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating Dorm Energy Meters Across the Curriculum
- Lasell College (MA)
Dorm energy meters provide a wealth of data that can be integrated across the curriculum to promote connected learning. While the benefits of dorm energy meters for plant operations and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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2% through behavior: The Inside Scoop on one College's Ambitious Energy Conservation Goal
- Luther College (IA)
In addition to aggressive energy efficiency upgrades, one small college has committed to reducing energy consumption 2%/year through behavior change. This is am ambitious goal, but through creative programming and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Effects of Residence Hall Submetering on Student's Reported Energy and Water Use at Lynchburg College
- University of Lynchburg (VA)
Submetering of buildings is commonly cited as a useful tool in not only identifying water leaks or equipment problems, but also in encouraging energy and water conservation among building occupants. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Successes and Challenges of MIT's Utility Partnership for Energy Efficiency
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
In May 2010, MIT established MIT Efficiency Forward: a ground breaking, multi-million dollar collaborative energy conservation and efficiency program with our electric and gas utility company NSTAR. The program is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Climate Neutrality, Zero Net Energy Campuses, and Climate Action Plans - OH MY!
- Mount Wachusett Community College (MA)
As the number of signatories to the American College and University President's Climate Commitment increases and Sustainability Teams effectively strengthen the trend for Climate Action Plans that target Carbon Neutrality …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Going Underground on Campus
- National Wildlife Federation (VA)
This panel session will highlight lessons learned and steps used when campuses put to use a range of types of geothermal heating and cooling strategies. Success stories to be shared …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cogeneration: Creating Sustainable Energy for the Future at NYU
- New York University (NY)
College campuses have a major opportunity for energy use reductions: district heat and power, also known as cogeneration. This presentation will examine NYU's new cogeneration power plant located underneath a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fracking with Higher Education: Student Activism and Mobilization in the National and Local Context
- New York University (NY)
What does the modern student movement look like on today's college campuses? How do they mobilize, communicate, and orchestrate their action? What are their tactics? Sit-ins? Boycotts? Petitions? Facebook and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building Energy Analysis: Supply and Demand, Trending and Exception Reporting
- North Carolina State University (NC)
In a university setting, the Energy Management Unit is responsible for all utility metering data for the 13 million square foot campus. This data includes the natural gas (NG), fuel …
- 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.