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
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Green Power Projects
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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
- Case Studies
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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. Additional content and advanced benchmarking tools will be added to this tab over time.
Benchmarking Data
The following data has been compiled in spreadsheet format to facilitate benchmarking. It will be updated annually to coincide with the publication of AASHE’s Sustainable Campus Index.
Programs and Initiatives
The following links connect to specific Content Displays on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
- Co-generation (e.g. combined heat and power) facilities
- On-site renewable electricity generating devices
- On-site renewable non-electric energy devices
- Off-site institution-catalyzed renewable electricity generating devices
- Purchased RECS, GOs and other renewable energy products
Scores
The following link connects to the Score Display on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
Energy Partners
Legrand North America, LLC
Carlsbad, CABusiness Leader
Pharos Systems International
Rochester, NYBusiness Leader
8760 Engineering
St. Louis, MOBusiness Affiliate
Ameresco, Inc.
Framingham, MABusiness Affiliate
American Council on Renewable Energy
Washington, DCBusiness Affiliate
Celtic Energy, Inc.
Glastonbury, CTBusiness Affiliate
Center for Resource Solutions | Green-e
San Francisco, CABusiness Affiliate
CustomerFirst Renewables
Gaithersburg, MDBusiness Affiliate
Energy Solutions Professionals, LLC
Overland Park, KSBusiness Affiliate
Energy Strategies
Salt Lake City, UTBusiness Affiliate
Energy Systems Group (ESG)
Newburgh, INBusiness Affiliate
First American Education Finance
Fairport, NYBusiness Affiliate
Fit for Green Inc.
Mission Viejo, CABusiness Affiliate
GreenerU
Watertown, MABusiness Affiliate
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Albany, NYBusiness Affiliate
SolGreen Solutions
Alexandria, VABusiness Affiliate
Strategic Energy Innovations
San Rafael, CABusiness Affiliate
Sunbolt
Willow Grove, PABusiness Affiliate
Sun Charge Systems
Cleveland, ALBusiness Affiliate