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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Solar Hot Air Heaters
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
The project outfitted Property Surplus building at the NAU Flagstaff campus with six solar heating panels. These six panels provide over 40,000 BTUs/hr. (or 12 kWh) of renewable energy to …
- Posted June 5, 2015
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Vanderbilt University Power Plant Conversion
- Vanderbilt University (TN)
Vanderbilt University's on-campus co-generation, dual fuel power plant was recently converted from using coal and natural gas to exclusively natural gas. The plant produces 23% of the University's electricity and …
- Posted June 4, 2015
- Case Studies
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Clean Energy Campus Campaign Pilot Testing and Development
- Ball State University (IN)
- Climate Neutral Business Network (OR)
For the past 4 years, Ball State University has worked with partner organizations to pilot the development and use of a Clean Energy Campus Campaign methodology whereby colleges and universities …
- Posted May 11, 2015
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24 kW Solar Array: Sunshades
- Oakton Community College (IL)
This projected was funded with assistance from the Illinois Green Economy Network.
- Posted May 7, 2015
- Green Power Projects
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Green Living Certification: Rewarding Residents for Environmentally Friendly Lifestyles
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
The Green Living Certification certifies and rewards residents living in on-campus residential buildings for making day-to-day choices that reduce their environmental footprint. Residents fill out an online survey that calculates …
- Posted Nov. 18, 2014
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43 kW Rooftop Array: Business/School of Public and Environmental Affairs Building
- Indiana University Indianapolis (IN)
The solar photovoltaic panels atop the Business/School of Public and Environmental Affairs building generate 43 kilowatts of electricity a day, an amount that would supply the daily electricity needs of …
- Posted July 2, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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22 kW Rooftop Array: Powerhouse Energy Campus
- Colorado State University (CO)
The Colorado State University Powerhouse Energy Campus is located near the heart of downtown Fort Collins. The 100,000 square-foot Powerhouse Energy Campus consists of two parts; the CSU Engines and …
- Posted June 2, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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56 kW Rooftop Array: Medford Higher Education Center
- Southern Oregon University (OR)
Advanced Energy Systems completed a 55.825 kW solar electric system for the Southern Oregon University, Medford Higher Education Center in 2009. The array consists of 319 SolarWorld 175 watt modules, …
- Posted April 23, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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Collaborative thermal heating conservation project at the College of the Holy Cross
- College of the Holy Cross (MA)
- GreenerU (MA)
The College of the Holy Cross's Student Government Association (SGA), Environmental Liaison program, and Physical Plant department developed a comprehensive program to reduce the common practice of opening windows in …
- Posted April 11, 2014
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Massachusetts Green High Performing Computing Center
- Harvard University (MA)
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts along with 5 research institutions in the Greater Boston area built a state of the art 377 square feet data center dedicated to research computing on …
- Posted April 11, 2014
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Solar E-Charging Station
- Camosun College (BC)
With funding from President's Funds 2013 grants and the Camosun College Student Society, Camosun College has installed a 4 KW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) array to offset the charging of electric …
- Posted April 11, 2014
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Neutral Gator
- University of Florida (FL)
Neutral Gator provides UF with high-impact, local carbon offsets by performing energy efficiency upgrades of low-income families' homes and planting indigenous trees on conservation land in Gainesville, FL. Through this …
- Posted April 10, 2014
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2 MW Solar Field (9 Acres)
- Oregon Institute of Technology (OR)
Oregon Tech installed 7,800 ground-mounted solar electric panels on 9 acres of hillside next to the John F. Moehl football stadium, with a total capacity of just under 2 megawatt. …
- Posted April 8, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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A Unique Hawaiian Learning Approach to Sustainable Living, Island-wide
- University of Hawaii Kauai Community College (HI)
A three prong approach to providing students with campus and community-wide learning at the UH Kauai Community College encompasses and concurrently implements:
1) Curriculum review ongoing, applying the General Electric …
- Posted March 28, 2014
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The University of Texas at Austin's Building Energy Audit
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The Building Energy Audit is a complete joining of both technical and behavioral energy conservation commitments designed to actively engage all aspects of the campus community to conserve energy and …
- Posted March 28, 2014
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Engineering Innovation Building (EIB) | University of Arizona - Where Big Ideas Come to Life
- University of Arizona (AZ)
A collective team process to clearly state and re-identify "the users" as the main idea behind University of Arizona's Iconic Engineering Building. The users in lieu of Flexibility, Collaboration and …
- Posted March 20, 2014
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188 kW Rooftop Arrays: Rio Rancho Phase I, Westside Phase I, Ken Chappy Hall, Workforcetraining Center
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
The project was to install 4 systems at four distinct locations. The locations include Rio Rancho Phase I, Westside Phase I, Ken Chappy Hall, Workforcetraining Center. . PV Panel Type: …
- Posted March 20, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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4 kW Rooftop Array: Morgan Library - The Cube
- Colorado State University (CO)
PV Panel Type: (18) Phono Solar 240 watt PV panels Inverter Type: SMA Sunny Boy
- Posted Feb. 28, 2014
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3.3 MW Solar Field (9.6 Acres)
- University of the Virgin Islands (VI)
In July of 2013 UVI entered into a 20 year power purchase agreement (PPA) with New Generation Power for a 3MW Solar System. With a PPA, UVI will not be …
- Posted Feb. 18, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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50 kW Ground Mount Array: Seminole Campus
- St. Petersburg College (FL)
In April 2014, officials from Duke Energy and St. Petersburg College flipped the switch on the Seminole Campus’ array of solar photovoltaic panels, highlighting a collaboration that began with a …
- Posted Jan. 27, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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50 kW Ground Mount Array: Clearwater Campus
- St. Petersburg College (FL)
In April 2014, officials from Duke Energy and St. Petersburg College flipped the switch on the Seminole Campus’ array of solar photovoltaic panels, highlighting a collaboration that began with a …
- Posted Jan. 24, 2014
- Green Power Projects
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236 kW Rooftop and Canopy Arrays
- Sussex County Community College (NJ)
- Vanguard Energy Partners LLC (NJ)
The solar panels were voted on by the Board of Trustees in December 2011 and are part of a county-wide, fourteen school effort to switch towards sustainable energy. It is …
- Posted Oct. 28, 2013
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22 kW Building Integrated Solar Array: Medical Isotope and Cyclotron Facility
- University of Alberta (AB)
In 2013 the Medical Isotope and Cyclotron Facility opened with the university’s first solar-electric array. Like the one in the Performing Arts Centre, this was a building-integrated solar array, one …
- Posted Oct. 28, 2013
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19 kW Rooftop Array: President's House
- Luther College (IA)
- GoSolar! (IA)
The 19 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system was installed in two phases, both projects stemming from the generous support of friends of the college. In August 2013 a 5.3 kW …
- Posted Sept. 3, 2013
- Green Power Projects
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545 kW Ground Mount Array: Parking Lot 55 at University Center - Building C Parking Lot - East Side
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
Ground-mount parking canopy. University Center Tempe Bldg C. Fixed array. 1,859 panels. 557.7 kWdc. 197 shaded parking spaces. PV Panel Type: RenaSolar JC300M-24/Ab Inverter Type: Adv Energy AE100TX (2), AE260TX …
- Posted Aug. 27, 2013
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494 kW Ground Mount Array: Parking Lot 55 at University Center - Building B Parking Lot - West Side
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
Ground-mount parking canopy. University Center Tempe Bldg B. Fixed array. 1,650 panels. 495 kWdc. 148 shaded parking spaces. PV Panel Type: RenaSolar JC300M-24/Ab Inverter Type: Adv Energy AE100TX (4)
- Posted Aug. 27, 2013
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258 kW Rooftop Array: Parking Structure 4 - Rural Road (Phase 2 - Northwest section)
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
Parking structure canopy. Rural Road Parking Structure (PS 4) Expansion. Fixed. 869 panels. 260.7 kWdc. 126 shaded parking spaces. PV Panel Type: RenaSolar JC300M-24/Ab Inverter Type: Adv Energy AE100TX (2)
- Posted Aug. 27, 2013
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506 kW Ground Mount Trackers (North Section)
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
- NRG Energy, Inc (NJ)
Ground mount. Polytechnic campus ground mount: Single-axis tracking. 1,824 panels. 505.52 kWdc. 3.01 acres. PV Panel Type: Suntech Reliathon 280 polycrystalline Inverter Type: Adv Energy Solaron 500 (1)
- Posted July 24, 2013
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296 kW Ground Mount Trackers (South Section)
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Ameresco, Inc. (MA)
- NRG Energy, Inc (NJ)
Ground mount. Polytechnic campus ground mount: Single-axis tracking. 1,056 panels. 295.68 kWdc. 2.32 acres. PV Panel Type: Suntech Reliathon 280 polycrystalline Inverter Type: Adv Energy Solaron 250 (1)
- Posted July 24, 2013
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20 kW Ground Mount Array: Shirley Baker Commons
- Luther College (IA)
Luther College installed a 20 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) array near the Shirley Baker Commons in the summer of 2013. The purpose of this smaller array is to demonstrate to …
- Posted June 5, 2013
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20 kW Rooftop Array: Ehouse
- Pace University (NY)
he solar panels will produce about 20 Kilowatts of electricity or about 20% of the building’s usage during the year. The amount of electricity produced would be enough power to …
- Posted May 21, 2013
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Advanced Climate Action: Stanford Energy and Climate Plan
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford has historically done much to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts and in late 2007, the university set out to develop a formal action plan incorporating existing best practices in …
- Posted May 17, 2013
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University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point LEED Gold Residence Hall
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (WI)
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point constructed the Suites @ 201 to further its efforts and dedication to sustainability. It is a model for green building standards and energy efficiency. It …
- Posted May 17, 2013
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Harnessing Seawater: An Innovative Thermal Exchange HVAC System
- Southern Maine Community College (ME)
- Harriman Architects and Engineers (ME)
The installation of a uniquely designed sea water heat exchange system in Casco Bay is an example of innovative technology recently implemented during the renovation of the Lighthouse Building at …
- Posted May 17, 2013
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Rutgers Solar Canopy Array
- Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick Campus (NJ)
The project consists of installing an 8.01 MW solar Canopy array over 28 acres of parking lots on its Livingston Campus. This solar array provides 50% of the power for …
- Posted May 17, 2013
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Saving Iowa's Remaining Natural Jewels - an ecological restoration and renewable energy partnership
- University of Iowa (IA)
The University of Iowa (UI) will convert 40 percent of its energy portfolio to renewable energy by or before 2020. Central to this effort is developing regional and sustainable biomass …
- Posted May 16, 2013
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Energy Matters- Comprehensive Energy Efficiency and Awareness at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) faced increasing student enrollment, space demands, utility costs, and energy needs. By 2008, UWM was 5% above its 2005 baseline, when it was proposed by …
- Posted May 16, 2013
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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 constructed 66 buildings between 1971 and 2012. Six buildings, 25% of total the college's 2.1 million square feet, were built to LEED Gold standards with energy efficiency emphasized. …
- Posted May 10, 2013
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Visioning and Operationalizing a System-Wide $1 Billion Energy Campaign at the University of North Carolina.
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- University of North Carolina System Office (NC)
The Appalachian Energy Summit (AES) is the annual gathering of the University of North Carolina Energy Leadership Challenge. Through this initiative, campus leaders from across higher education in North Carolina …
- Posted May 10, 2013
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Solar power, horticulture and culinary arts integration project
- Metropolitan Community College (NE)
Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb., is committed to being a center of sustainable education. MCC's approach to sustainability is comprehensive: we work on campus, in classrooms and in the …
- Posted May 10, 2013
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75 kW Rooftop Array: Recreation Center
- Muskingum College (OH)
- Third Sun Solar (OH)
Muskingum University has installed a 75-kilowatt, 297-solar panel system on the roof of its Recreation Center to save on energy costs. The panel will generate energy for the building and …
- Posted April 11, 2013
- Green Power Projects
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18 kW Rooftop Array
- Sierra College (CA)
A student built solar array composed of 99 panels that provides nearly 18,000 watts of energy production and would have an installed value of nearly $100,000. The array was built …
- Posted April 11, 2013
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Rooftop Array: Public Safety Education Campus
- Wake Technical Community College (NC)
The panels will generate renewable electricity of more than 500,000 kilowatt hours each year, that Progress Energy has agreed to purchase for a fixed price over the next 20 years, …
- Posted April 10, 2013
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30-foot "Helix" Wind Turbine Installation
- Indiana State University (IN)
The idea for a campus wind turbine grew out of the university's strategic plan as part of the Unbounded Possibilities Initiative and its offshoot, the Institute for Community Sustainability. ISU …
- Posted April 10, 2013
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6 kW Rooftop Array: Fire Department
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
The University Fire Station with help from a RISE grant installed a 3.2kW solar array in the summer of 2012. The energy is connected to the GVEA’s utility grid through …
- Posted April 9, 2013
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2 kW 70-foot Wind Turbine
- Western Illinois University (IL)
A small wind turbine was installed Dec. 6, 2012 at Western Illinois University to serve as a curriculum resource, while addressing sustainability goals of the University as part of the …
- Posted April 8, 2013
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40 kW Rooftop Array: Beck Hall
- Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
40 KW system installed by ABLE Energy, Inc. ReneSolar 250W panels. Donor funded.
- Posted Feb. 22, 2013
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9 kW Rooftop Array: Olin Building
- Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
Three technologies side-by-side, all located on an accessible roof for student access. Donor funded. Installation by ABLE Energy, Inc of River Falls, WI: 1) TenK 180 Watt panels (RAIS system) …
- Posted Feb. 22, 2013
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99 kW Rooftop Array: CCC 9 Building 8
- Chemeketa Community College (OR)
- InSpecGroup (OR)
The school installed four separate solar systems totaling more than 200 kilowatts of electrical capacity. The systems are mounted on the rooftops of buildings on their main campus in Salem, …
- Posted Feb. 6, 2013
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32 kW Rooftop Array
- Chemeketa Community College (OR)
- InSpecGroup (OR)
The school installed four separate solar systems totaling more than 200 kilowatts of electrical capacity. The systems are mounted on the rooftops of buildings on their main campus in Salem, …
- Posted Feb. 6, 2013
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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.