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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3 kW Canopy Array: Tennis Courts Walkway
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
A photovoltaic array has been installed on a popular walkway adjacent to the campus tennis courts. The 2.9-kilowatt system slowly adjusts position to track the sun as it moves ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
- Green Power Projects
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2 kW Solar Wall Mount
- City Colleges of Chicago, Wilbur Wright College (IL)
Parking garage facade. Installed in Jul. 2007. PV Panel Type: Sharp NT180 Inverter Type: Sunny Boy SWR 1800U
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
- Green Power Projects
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2 kW Pole Mount: Biofuels Facility on Ayers Lane
- Appalachian State University (NC)
The Collaborative Biodiesel Project is a student-led initiative at Appalachian State University and was funded by the EPA P3 Award: "Student Design Competition for Sustainability" and the ASU Renewable Energy ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Rooftop Array: Kerr Scott Hall
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Two graduate students in Appalachian State’s Technology program installed this grid-tie system in 2007. Along with the building’s vegetative roof, the photovoltaic array provides students with research and ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Solar Farm
- Austin Peay State University (TN)
The new solar array converts energy from the sun into electricity to power a nearby classroom on the site. Any excess energy produced goes to Clarksville Department of Electricity and ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Rooftop Array: Campus Crossings at Briarcliff
- Emory University (GA)
An array of ten Schuco Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules has been installed on the roof of Campus Crossings at Briarcliff in Atlanta, Georgia. The solar panels will help power the ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Rooftop Demonstration: WISE Center
- Frostburg State University (MD)
The Sustainable Energy Research Facility (SERF) is an energy-efficient, completely off-grid, "green" building energized by sun and wind power. The project added technical knowledge and experience in design and construction ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Ground Mount Array: Ecohouse
- Ohio University (OH)
- Dovetail Solar & Wind (OH)
The solar array at the OHIO Ecohouse was installed by Dovetail Solar & Wind and is a 2.4 kilo-watt system. It is a grid-tied photovoltaic array; which means that ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Ground Mount Array: Community Education and Wellness Center
- Owens Community College (OH)
The 1.7-kilowat solar array will feature eight panels and be used for hands-on learning as well as to convert sunlight into electricity for regular operational purposes within the Community ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Rooftop Array
- Roger Williams University (RI)
Roof, fixed array. Inverter Type: SMA SB2500U
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Solar Laboratory
- St. Thomas University (FL)
The project was proposedby Dr. Alberto J. Varela, Associate Professor in the School of Science, Technology and Engineering Management. Dr. Varela wanted to create a Solar Station at STU as ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Rooftop Array
- University of Rhode Island (RI)
Location: 401 Victory Highway, West Greenwich, RI Array Size: 2 kW
of Modules: 8 (300 Watts each)
Module Manufacturer: ASE Americas
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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2 kW Rooftop Array: Viking Union
- Western Washington University (WA)
A 2 kWh array at Viking Union Array, visible from the PAC Plaza. This array was donated by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and WWU Facilities Management. A kiosk inside the ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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1 kW Rooftop Array: Alumni Building
- Berea College (KY)
The installation of the one kilowatt-hour photovoltaic array will convert sunlight to electricity and support a portion of the electrical needs of the building. The idea for a solar panel ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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1 kW Ground Mount: Few and Evans Residence Halls
- Emory University (GA)
- Ayers Saint Gross (MD)
- Gilbane (RI)
The University operates a small solar demonstration unit at Few and Evans residential halls — six panels that power a pump that helps bring reclaimed storm water back into the building ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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1 kW Rooftop Array: Withey Hall
- Green Mountain College (VT)
In 2010, four underutilized 120-watt panels were installed on the roof of Withey Hall. The PV panels now produce electricity and feed a battery bank to power the greenhouse.
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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1 kW Rooftop Array: Farrell House
- Middlebury College (VT)
Roof (Farrell House). PV Panel Type: (10) PV panels Inverter Type: Xantrex/ Trace 1500 watt inverter
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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1 kW Rooftop Array: Saunders Hall
- University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI)
Saunders Hall is home to the first renewable energy testbed functioning on a Manoa campus rooftop, courtesy of donations and logistical assistance from Hawai'i Energy Connnection, Enphase Energy, and ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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1 kW Rooftop Array: Olin Library
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Roof (1): Olin Library/ 1.02 kW.2006: A little less than half of the costs were paid by the Committee on Environmental Quality. The Department of Facilities, Planning, and ...
- Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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Getting to Net- Zero Energy: Lessons Learned from a Living Building Challenge
- Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
- Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
In 2008, Washington University in St. Louis committed to the construction of a new building at its environmental field station, Tyson Research Center. This project, the Living Learning Center (LLC ...
- Posted June 24, 2011
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Centennial Solar Panel System
- Northwestern University (IL)
- Engineers for a Sustainable World (CO)
The Centennial Solar Panel System (CSPS), a 17 kW solar photovoltaic array at Northwestern University, is a partner project between Engineers for a Sustainable World and the Northwestern Sustainability Fund ...
- Posted June 24, 2011
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The College of William and Mary Carbon Offset Program
- College of William & Mary (VA)
William and Mary has developed an in-house carbon offset program that provides full transparency. Energy-reducing capital projects, such as HVAC upgrades, were identified and offset prices were determined by calculating ...
- Posted June 21, 2011
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Biomass at Colorado State University: the Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
- Colorado State University (CO)
In 2009, Colorado State University and the Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) partnered to build a biomass heating plant on the University's Foothills Campus. This facility burns wood chips ...
- Posted June 16, 2011
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Behavior Matters—A Business Case for Behavior-Based Conservation Programs
- Stanford University (CA)
The link between energy retrofits and cost savings is well established, but occupants are often unaware of "behind the scenes" improvements. How can universities educate building occupants to optimize efficiency ...
- Posted June 14, 2011
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13 kW Solar Arrays
- Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (NM)
Nine commercial renewable energy systems have been selected both to meet energy needs on the campus and to be serving the objects of practical study in the laboratory portions of ...
- Posted Jan. 1, 2011
- Green Power Projects
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2 kW Rooftop Array: Fed Hall
- University of Waterloo (ON)
This 36-panel array of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels was installed on the roof of Fed Hall, the largest student-run pub in North America. In January 2004, the solar array went ...
- Posted Jan. 1, 2011
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Development of a Budget Neutral Comprehensive Green and Deferred Maintenance Program at the University of Central Missouri
- University of Central Missouri (MO)
- Trane (TX)
In 2007, Dr. Betty Roberts, VP for Administration and Finance, began seeking opportunities to save money on rising energy bills while addressing much-needed building and infrastructure improvements. After extensive research ...
- Posted July 1, 2010
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Achieving GHG Reductions of 30% or More Through Facilities Asset Management At the Harvard School of Public Health
- Harvard University (MA)
Harvard School of Public Health (HPSH) has an innovative approach to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and sustainability based on integrated facilities asset management. This program enables HSPH to holistically manage ...
- Posted July 1, 2010
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Safely Achievable Reductions in Exhaust Fan Energy for Laboratory Buildings at UC Irvine
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
Generally accepted engineering practices use 3500 fpm flow rates for laboratory exhaust stack design. Due to the variable nature of exhaust flow from laboratories, and the need for constant air ...
- Posted July 1, 2010
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The University of Minnesota's Power Police Project: Philosophy, Psychology and Power Strips
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
- Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MN)
Power Police student volunteers help campus office workers save power - especially the "vampire" power that electronic devices draw even when they're turned off. Volunteers make simple changes to offices ...
- Posted June 30, 2010
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Building a Green Data Center at Syracuse University
- Syracuse University (NY)
Syracuse University, in partnership with IBM and New York State, built a Green Data Center (GDC) last year which is designed to use about 50 percent less energy than a ...
- Posted June 30, 2010
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Phillips Brooks House Student Weatherization Project
- Harvard University (MA)
On May 2nd, more than 50 Harvard students took a break from studying for finals and picked up caulk guns to help improve the energy efficiency of the Phillips Brooks ...
- Posted June 30, 2010
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Friday Night Lights: Social Networking Meets Energy Savings
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
Students gathered every Friday evening at 6:30pm at the Union. They armed themselves with clipboards and checklists, and divided into teams. Lights left on in classrooms and hallways in ...
- Posted June 30, 2010
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Cornell University Moves Beyond Coal
- Cornell University (NY)
One of the biggest roadblocks on the climate neutrality pathway is coal. Approximately 50% of our nation's electricity comes from coal. In 2008, 13,000 tons of coal was ...
- Posted June 29, 2010
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Student Residents Save Energy at LSU
- Louisiana State University (LA)
Sponsored by the LSU College of Engineering, UNPLUG sought to promote an understanding throughout the LSU on-campus community of what energy conservation entails. The goal was to empower students to ...
- Posted June 28, 2010
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Advanced Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory at Milwaukee Area Technical College
- Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI)
While originally focusing on reducing MATC's carbon footprint, the Photovoltaic Educational Laboratory has evolved into the Midwest's largest photovoltaic installation, generating 511 kWh DC and also serves as ...
- Posted June 25, 2010
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Integrating Teaching, Research and Operational Sustainability: Utilization of Bio-Energy at UNBC, Canada's Green University
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
In Spring 2009, UNBC installed Canada's first university owned wood pellet heating system. The project showcases the use of bio-energy as a sustainable, carbon-neutral energy source. UNBC's wood ...
- Posted June 24, 2010
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Implementing Large Scale Solar in the Land of Cheap Coal
- Colorado State University (CO)
Colorado State University is home to one of the largest solar plants on a U.S. university campus. The fact that Colorado State has been able to expand renewable energy ...
- Posted June 23, 2010
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Helping Small Businesses near Anderson University, SC
- Anderson University (SC)
Anderson University's SIFE team partnered with the local Sam's Club to help business members in efforts to help their facilities become environmentally friendly. We performed energy audits at ...
- Posted June 23, 2010
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WinterBlitz: Williams College students Weatherize Low-income Homes in the Local Community
- Williams College (MA)
For the past 2 years, Williams College students and community volunteers have weatherized a total of over 75 homes in 3 towns near Williams College during a one-day event in ...
- Posted June 21, 2010
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Installing Occupancy Sensors at Missouri State University Residence Life and Services
- Missouri State University (MO)
Residence Life and Services at Missouri State University received a grant from City Utilities of Springfield, MO to install occupancy sensors on all lights in community and public restrooms, common ...
- Posted June 17, 2010
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Student Activism Leads the Way to Clean Energy at Green Mountain College
- Green Mountain College (VT)
On April 22, 2010, Green Mountain College opened a new biomass facility to replace the power station that previously burned number six fuel oil. This new facility will reduce greenhouse ...
- Posted June 14, 2010
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UO vs OSU Energy Civil War
- University of Oregon (OR)
The University of Oregon (UO) and Oregon State University (OSU) staged a human-powered energy generation contest to see which school could produce the most energy from their Recreation Centers' ReCardio ...
- Posted June 8, 2010
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Holiday Energy Turn Down
- Emory University (GA)
During the 2009-2010 Winter Holiday break Emory University conducted a campaign to reduce energy consumption by turning down the HVAC for a total of six days in 15 buildings. These ...
- Posted June 3, 2010
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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.