NYS Announces $200M for Thermal Energy at Three SUNY Universities
The New York State (NYS) governor announced in mid-September that SUNY Purchase will receive $50 million to design and construct phase one of a thermal energy network with plans for future ground-source heating and cooling systems; University at Buffalo will receive $68 million to decarbonize the central utility plant, create energy hubs and thermal energy networks and build ground-source heating and cooling systems; and Stony Brook University is allocated $22 million to design and construct thermal energy systems at two buildings on campus.
Utah State U to Add 1 MW Solar Electricity
The university recently announced additions to its solar electricity portfolio that include a 500-kilowatt array on an indoor practice facility, more than 200 kilowatts on its equine center, a nearly 200-kilowatt array at its dairy facility, and more than 150 kilowatts to be added to the existing 180-kilowatt system on a parking structure.
U Wolverhampton Intiaties Decarbonization Project
The university's new $14.7 million ($11 million British pounds) decarbonization effort includes replacing gas-fired equipment and end of life boilers with an air-to-water heat pump system, recovering chilled water, and installing photovoltaics and a network of district heating pipes that will supply low carbon heat. A living lab will also be established, allowing academics and students to study the impacts of the heat pump technology, solar and energy conservation measures.
Colorado State U to Connect 5.75 MW Photovoltaic Project
The university recently entered a 20-year agreement on a ground-mounted 5.75 megawatt photovoltaic project. The university will receive the electricity and RECs generated by the virtual net-metering solar project. The project is expected to come online in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Charles Sturt U Signs Contract for 100% Renewable Energy
(Australia) By signing a three-year contract, the university now supplies 100 percent renewable electricity to the university’s six main campuses across New South Wales. The estimated annual usage under the contract is 20-gigawatt hours.
Framingham State U Connects 720KW Solar Canopy
A public-private partnership enabled the university to construct the 720-kilowatt solar canopy over a parking lot. The university partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the PowerOptions Consortium to have solar panels installed on campus at no cost to Framingham State State. The power purchase agreement is for 20-25 years at a fixed discounted price over the term.
MIT Partners on Energy & Climate Alliance
The recently announced alliance is a five-year collaboration between MIT and GE Vernova that will operate within MIT’s Office of Innovation and Strategy. Comprising a $50 million commitment, the endeavor will encompass research, education and career opportunities focused on three main themes: decarbonization, electrification and renewables acceleration.
Oberlin College Achieves Carbon Neutrality
The college is now carbon neutral through a variety of approaches, including a net-zero commercial building, over 3 megawatts of clean energy, energy efficiency measures, and a ground-source heating and cooling system.
McMaster U Receives $1.4M for Decarbonization Projects
One project will recover excess heat from the university's research nuclear reactor for heating a science building, while the other project will replace natural gas heating with air-to-water pumps. Both projects are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
