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
New Resources
Energy Efficiency by Design in Parking on Campus at University of Colorado Boulder
- Intellenergy (CT)
When considering ways to save energy on campus, parking structures are an excellent place to start. Parking garages are a necessary evil. Although creative transportation options are emerging, there continues ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Markets 101: Everything a Sustainability Officer Needs to Know
- Harvard University (MA)
- University at Albany (NY)
- EYP (NY)
- Campus Climate Solutions (FL)
Energy market costs and volatility pose both a threat and an opportunity for advancing sustainability initiatives in the higher education market. Reducing energy consumption has the greatest immediate and long-term ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Providing Pomona Students with Line Drying Options: Changing Behavior and Reducing Energy Use One Sock at a Time
- Pomona College (CA)
In Spring 2008, Pomona College began two projects to give students the opportunity to line dry their clothes. The first project was the installation of eight large, high-quality drying racks ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Community Energy Connection
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
CU Community Energy Connections (CEC) is a collaboration between the CU Environmental Center's Energy Program and the CU Environmental Justice Steering Committee. The CEC focuses on social justice and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Overcoming Challenges in Campus-Wide Energy Benchmarking
- Cadmus Group, Inc. (FL)
Colleges and universities wanting to track their energy use may face several roadblocks. One is that for many campuses, buildings are not submetered, but grouped together as a single source ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Campus Metabolism - A Visual Education and Awareness Tool Supporting Conservation
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Arizona State University recognizes the importance of providing relevant information to engage their community as agents of change in its sustainability mission. The Campus Metabolism project is an effort to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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NC Petroleum Displacement Plan Requirement: A Case Study & Measuring Success
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte (NC)
- Western Carolina University (NC)
The North Carolina Solar Center (NCSC) at NC State University will organize a presentation on North Carolina's State Petroleum Displacement Plan Requirement. The presentation will include representatives from UNC ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Institutional Demotechnic Index - A Comparison of Technological Energy Consumption at U.S. Colleges and Universities
- University of Arkansas (AR)
The Campus Demotechnic Index (CDI) is a metric being developed to serve as a sustainability indicator for U.S. colleges and universities. The CDI is modified after the Demotechnic Index ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainability in the Business Curriculum
- Goshen College (IN)
What happens when business majors complete a hands-on course helping local business become more sustainable? This year students in the Management Policy and Social Responsibility course analyzed renewable energy options ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Evaluation of Campus Commitments in DOE Humid Zones
- University of Houston (TX)
- National Association of Educational Procurement (MD)
Rising energy prices emphasize the need for campuses to address sustainable practices. This study evaluated colleges and universities with over 10,000 students in the Department of Energy (DOE) "Hot ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Carbon-Free and Nuclear-Free by 2050
- Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (MD)
Sustainability can only come if we can bring the CO2 content of our atmosphere back within safe limits. This will require large reduction in CO2 emissions from the industrialized nations ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Independence/ Carbon Neutral
- Los Angeles Community College District (CA)
The Los Angeles Community College District's $2.2 billion program for new construction and modernization incorporates a plan to enhance existing non-fossil fuel self-generation resources and building new green ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Launching Web-Enabled, Real-Time, Energy Management Software in Campus Buildings at 4 Canadian Universities
- University of British Columbia (BC)
- Sustainable Campus (ON)
- University of Toronto (ON)
As universities and colleges across Canada ramp up efforts in campus sustainability the need for mechanisms to exchange information and best practice, and build networks for dialogue specific to the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Laboratory Design Case Study
- BNIM Architects (MO)
Laboratory buildings are usually thought of as being the inevitable energy hogs on campus. The Fayez S. Sarofim Research Building, home of the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine at ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Master Plans - From Here to a Zero Carbon Footprint
- Building Services Consultants, Inc (PA)
The ACUPCC has generated a keen interest in colleges and universities to move toward a zero carbon footprint. An Energy Master Plan (EMP) is essential to facilitate a successful carbon ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making it Personal: Targeted Outreach Climate Change and Energy Conservation
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
It's no surprise that students are more likely to take action on climate change if they understand it in the context of issues that affect and interest them personally ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The LED University Program: Stories from Three Member Institutions
- Madison Area Technical College (WI)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- University of Arkansas (AR)
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
The LED University program launched in April, 2008, showcases member universities' LED lighting installations around the world. Three member universities will describe their efforts to deploy LED lighting including the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Lighten Up Caroline - A Community Project For Energy Efficiency
- Cornell University (NY)
- Town of Caroline (NY)
On Saturday, April 19th, 2008, approximately 90 volunteers distributed one compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) in a reusable bag containing information about household energy conservation and CFL use and recycling to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Appalachian State University Renewable Energy Initiative (ASU REI)
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Appalachian State University's Renewable Energy Initiative is an organization funded by student fees that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of Appalachian State University by replacing the University's ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Innovative Methods in Renewable Energy Education and Training and the Integration of Campus Sustainability at Cape Cod Community College
- Cape Cod Community College (MA)
Cape Cod Community College (CCCC) has a dynamic and vibrant environmental program that includes two degree and multiple certificate options, including three certificates in Clean Energy Technologies: Photovoltaic, Solar Thermal ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Warm Data, Cool Earth or Unplug to Keep the Polar Bear Happy
- Dartmouth College (NH)
Faculty and students at Dartmouth College have created an animated real-time energy display system to encourage students to reduce electric use through behavior changes. What is unique about this system ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Exchange Programs as a Potentially Cost Effective and Socially Beneficial Approach to Offsetting Carbon Emissions Locally
- Oberlin College (OH)
To achieve carbon neutrality, organizations can balance unavoidable emissions by purchasing "carbon offsets" that provide credit for emissions captured or reduced elsewhere. Locally managed and implemented offset programs can provide ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Reducing the Cost of Energy on Campus with Distributed Wind Generation.
- Entegrity Wind Systems, Inc. (CO)
By installing small wind on campus, university administrators insulate budgets from increases in electricity prices. Capital funds invested in a wind turbine can yield significant annual operational savings that can ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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North Carolina State University: Accomplishments and Commitments during the Year of Energy
- North Carolina State University (NC)
The administration at NC State University declared the 2008-9 academic year as the "Year of Energy." During the year, the University is accelerating the pace of moving towards the sustainable ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Moving On: From RECs to Local Offsets as Social Benefits
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
As the nation's first campus to fund Renewable Energy Credit (RECs) purchases with student dollars, the University of Colorado-Boulder was reluctant to abandon RECs. However, after considering the co-benefits ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Campus 101: Harnessing Energy for Change
- Alliance to Save Energy (CA)
Universities represent a unique testing ground to address energy issues, as demonstrated by the Alliance to Save Energy's Green Campus Program. This presentation will showcase transferable best practices of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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SD Wind Energy: The Need for Public Activism
- American University (DC)
Wind energy has the potential to significantly reduce United States carbon emissions and to provide an economic stimulus for rural America. South Dakota has one of the largest wind energy ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Launching Web-Enabled, Real-Time, Energy Management Software in Campus Buildings at UBC
- AquaHealth, Inc.
This presentation will discuss the lessons learned in deploying an energy management software tool at the University of British Columbia. The University of British Columbia Sustainability Office partnered in the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Energy Future Game
- Bridgewater State University (MA)
This poster will present the Energy Future Game. This game is a simple spreadsheet where the student's goal is to fill in the energy future of the United States ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Hocking College Energy Institute
- Design Group (OH)
Construction of the Hocking College Energy Institute will commence in the summer of 2008. Hocking College was recently awarded a $1.6 million grant from the Economic Development Administration for ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Energy Curriculum Development
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
At Eastern Connecticut State University, we are developing on-campus and online courses which serve the general student as well as majors and minors in Sustainable Energy Studies. The course sequence ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Demand Response: Going Green and Making "Green" in the Process
- Energy Curtailment Specialists, Inc. (NY)
Colleges and universities are proving that electricity generated from renewable resources can be a meaningful part of the supply mix. Nevertheless, as renewables go through inevitable growing pains, and "traditional ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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An Innovative Strategy for the Deployment of Solar Power Equipment
- Envision Solar International, Inc. (CA)
The extent to which sustainability programs are communicated across a campus community can impact perceptions of institutional commitment; therefore, programs with high visibility and transparency are critical. Though solar power ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Power: An Environmental Choice for Leading Colleges & Universities
- ERG Consulting Firm (MA)
This presentation will provide an overview of the green power market, the benefits of a green power purchase, and three case studies of specific green power initiatives. The presentation will ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making the Truth Convenient: One Sustainable Behavior at a Time
- NORESCO (NC)
Today's environmentally-aware college students are becoming increasingly active in driving their university's sustainable practices. This increased environmental activity has united a wide range of campus participants, extending the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Educating the Building Technician Workforce for Sustainability
- Peralta Community Colleges District Office (CA)
The lack of qualified HVAC technicians and building operators trained in energy efficient installation and maintenance practices currently presents one of the greatest barriers to meeting campus, local, State, and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Solar Heating and Cooling with Sale-of-Energy Financing
- Solid Solar (AZ)
Solar Hot water plants offer excellent economics. Sale-of-energy projects offer the opportunity for free installation, paid for over time with energy purchased at a price typically 10% less than current ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Stanford: Leading Campus Sustainability in the 21st Century
- Stanford University (CA)
With sustainability as a core value for Stanford, the progressive projects in operations, buildings, transportation, and IT are indeed defining leadership in campus sustainability in the 21st century.The university ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Triple Bottom Line on Campus - Walking the Talk, Saving Money and Saving the Planet
- Sterling Planet, Inc. (GA)
Through our experience with several colleges and universities, this presentation will discuss how college and universities have implement measures to lower there green house gas emissions, save money and create ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Laboratories: Occupants Make a Difference
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
At UCSB the Laboratory Research And Technical Staff (LabRATS) program evaluates laboratory practices to save energy, plastic, water, electronics and chemicals, while making the research itself more efficient. Our efforts ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The University of Hawaii at Manoa Energy Summit: Engaging the Campus in Energy Savings and Greenhouse Gas Reduction
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI)
In 2006, the Chancellor convened an Energy Summit that engaged faculty, students, and facilities staff in the design of the Manoa Energy Plan. UHM committed to reducing energy use by ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Potential Impact and Uses of Thermoacoustic Refrigeration
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Ever since refrigeration has been introduced into modern societies, its use has significantly increased. In fact it is impossible imagine life without refrigeration and air conditioning. Mostly, cooling is achieved ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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WFU Biofuels
- Wake Forest University (NC)
WFU BioFuels will fuel the crucial movement toward sustainable energy development. The facility will incubate the research and innovation that fuel our country's sustainable energy industries, helping alleviate problems ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UBC Okanagan Campus Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality: Geothermal District Energy System
- University of British Columbia (BC)
The purpose of this brief is to share information about UBC Okanagan's campus roadmap to carbon neutrality, featuring the Geothermal District Energy System and related green building strategies.
UBC ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Moving Campuses Beyond Coal
- Cornell University (NY)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
- Sierra Club (DC)
Across the country, 63 institutes of higher education currently burn coal in an on-campus facility to generate steam, electric power, or both. Many of these schools have signed the American ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Rice U 2012 Syllabus - Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Communities
- Rice University (TX)
The Rice University course Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Communities is cross-listed between Chemical Engineering and Environmental Studies. The class explores the principles of sustainability, the science of global warming, and ...
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Course Materials
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Institutes of Energy and the Environment
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
The mission of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment is to foster and facilitate interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration to positively impact important energy and environmental challenges.
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Golisano Institute for Sustainability
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
Golisano Institute for Sustainability is a multidisciplinary academic unit at RIT whose mission is to undertake world-class education and research programs in sustainability with major foci on sustainable production, sustainable ...
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy and the Environment
- University of Alberta (AB)
The Centre for Applied Business Research in Energy and the Environment (CABREE) is an independent research centre located within the Alberta School of Business at the University of Alberta. Given ...
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Center for Energy & Environmental Education
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
UNI’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) helps children, youth, and adults make sense of complex environmental and energy-related issues while finding ways for the community to participate ...
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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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.