Humboldt State U Announces 2 Energy Use Reduction Initiatives
Humboldt State University (CA) has announced two new projects, funded by the Energy Efficiency Partnership with California State University and the University of California, that are expected to save almost $60,000 and cut 253 metric tons of campus greenhouse gas emissions annually. HSU will install energy management software to power down computers when they are not in use in labs and in faculty, staff, and department offices. The second initiative will tighten controls on the Wildlife Building’s heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment to reduce energy wasted by aging systems. The two projects are scheduled for completion in mid-November.
Rutgers U Breaks Ground on 1.4 MW Solar Farm
Rutgers University (NJ) has broken ground on its seven acre, 1.4MW solar farm. The farm will generate approximately 10 percent of the electrical demand of the Livingston Campus and reduce the university’s carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1,200 tons per year. Rutgers will fund approximately half the $10 million cost of the project, and the balance will be subsidized by a rebate through the Board of Public Utilities' Clean Energy Program.
Stony Brook to Run Campus Buses Off of Vegetable Oil
Stony Brook University (NY) has started an initiative to convert campus bus engines to run off of used vegetable oil. The project will use leftover vegetable oil from one of the campus dining halls to fuel the buses. Once the project is up and running, the University plans to expand the program to include vegetable oil from other dining facilities on campus.
Syracuse U Changes Temperature Policy to Reduce GHG Emissions
Syracuse University (NY) has changed its temperature policy to conserve energy and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released through the heating and cooling processes. By reducing the temperature of University-occupied spaces by two degrees in the heating season, and raising the temperature threshold one degree in the cooling season, the University will realize an annual reduction of 1,683 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The new temperature policy for the heating season will have a set point at 68 degrees, and the cooling season set point will be 76 degrees.
Syracuse U, SUNY ESF Partner to Create Green Energy Coop
Syracuse University (NY) and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry have partnered to create a green-energy cooperative. The student-run project, funded by a grant from the Syracuse Campus-Community Entrepreneurship Initiative, aims to produce biodiesel by the spring 2009 semester that would be sold back to SU and SUNY ESF for use in their vehicles.
Brunswick Community College to Produce Biodiesel from Algae
Brunswick Community College (NC) has announced plans to begin a project to grow enough algae to produce approximately 75 pounds of oil each month. The oil will then be converted into biodiesel to power campus tractors and utility vehicles. The project is being funded by a grant that will also fund six student lab positions.
Harvard U to Install Wind Turbines on Campus
Harvard University (MA) has announced plans to install small-scale wind turbines on top of the Holyoke Center, one of the University's administrative and student buildings. The system is not expected to generate much energy - the project's main purpose is to serve as a symbol of Harvard's commitment to sustainability.
Stevens Institute of Technology to Expand Solar Array
The Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) has signed an agreement to expand the current 130 kW solar power system on campus. 3rd Rock Technologies will install, own, and operate the new array and will sell the power generated by the panels back to Stevens at a fixed price. Stevens expects the solar panels to make up 11 percent of its energy needs by the beginning of 2009.
SUNY ESF Converts Butter Sculpture to Biodiesel
The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry has converted a 900 pound butter sculpture from the New York State Fair into approximately 96 gallons of biodiesel. The biodiesel will be used to fuel a SUNY ESF vehicle.
U Michigan to Cut Utility Costs 10% Though Conservation
The University of Michigan has announced plans to cut utility costs by 10 percent over the next three years at its Ann Arbor campuses by reaching out to faculty, staff, and students in an energy-conservation program called Planet Blue. Planet Blue's goal is to reduce costs by combining energy-saving technologies and building upgrades with behavioral changes from building occupants. The three-year education and outreach campaign will target 90 large buildings.
U Notre Dame Commits to Energy Renovations
The University of Notre Dame (IN) has committed to heating, air conditioning, and/or lighting renovations in 24 older campus buildings during the 2008/2009 academic year. The planned renovations include installing occupancy sensors so that heating, cooling, and lighting only run when buildings are occupied; enhancing ventilation control so that the amount of outside air brought in matches the occupancy level of the building; and putting in more efficient fluorescent bulbs. Notre Dame expects the renovations, which are expected to cost about $4 million, to reduce the University’s carbon emissions by over 4,000 metric tons per year. In related news, ND's Howard Hall has installed compact fluorescent light bulbs in every dorm room.
U Tennessee Knoxville Aims to Reduce Energy Use by 10%
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville has launched "Switch Your Thinking," a campaign designed to reduce campus energy consumption by 10 percent this year, a move that would save the University more than $1 million from its campus energy budget. The campaign asks faculty, staff and students to take four steps to reduce the amount of energy consumed by the campus. The four steps include turning off lights when not in the office for more than one hour; turning off computers when not in the office for more
Northern Arizona U Distributes CFLs
Northern Arizona University's Office of Sustainability has distributed 5,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs during its "CFL Swap-out" event. Volunteers passed out CFLs, along with information about cost savings and proper disposal, to on-campus residents to replace inefficient bulbs that students may have brought to campus themselves. Arizona Public Service donated the light bulbs to help NAU get closer to its goal of carbon neutrality by 2020.
NYU Holds Groundbreaking for New Co-Generation Plant
New York University has broken ground at the site of its new co-generation plant. The University expects that the new co-generation facility will lead to a 75 percent reduction of regulated pollutants and a decrease in over 5,000 tons of greenhouse pollutants emitted annually. In addition, the facility will triple the University’s capacity to provide power to its buildings with cleaner energy and will remove these buildings from the local utility grid. The project is expected to be completed during the summer of 2009.
UC San Diego Installs Solar Array
The University of California, San Diego has begun installing a solar electric system on the roof of two of its parking garages. The new system is made up of Solar Trees(TM), solar panels that are placed on steel bars and resemble the shape of a tree, and provides shade for parked cars and future infrastructure for electric vehicles. Each Solar Tree(TM) at UCSD will generate more than 17,000 kWhs of clean energy per year.
U Florida to Use Biodiesel Fuel to Power Pep Rally
The University of Florida has announced plans to power this year's Gator Growl, UF's homecoming pep rally, with biodiesel fuel. The process involves converting leftover cooking oil from campus dining locations into useable biodiesel fuel at the Motor Pool, a division of the Physical Plant. Generators hooked up to the audio and lighting equipment will run off the biodiesel, which is cleaner than pure diesel and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Western Michigan U, Kalamazoo Valley CC To Install Wind Turbines
Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College have partnered to install a Wind Energy Center on the KVCC campus. The Wind Energy Center, which will include multiple wind turbines, will serve as a model wind turbine site and provide educational opportunities to KVCC students. KVCC plans to develop installation and maintenance certification programs for technicians and WMU will focus on product design and manufacturing programs for undergraduate students.
ACUTA Survey Finds 2/3 of College IT Depts Are Going Green
The Association for Information Communications Technology Professionals in Higher Education has completed a survey that found that two-thirds of colleges and universities have taken or are taking energy-saving and environmentally conscious steps. The survey found that 80 percent of schools recycle computer and networking equipment; 73 percent of schools have bought more efficient equipment; and 63 percent of schools have implemented a policy that aims to reduce the amount of printing done on campus.
Bentley College Signs Agreement to Reduce Energy Use
Bentley College (MA) has made an agreement with Infor to monitor and reduce energy consumption throughout campus. Bentley is currently gathering data on the energy efficiency of its campus-wide assets, including air handlers, chillers and other large equipment, which will be used to develop a preventative maintenance program that incorporates energy consumption patterns.
Saint Xavier U Print Services Goes Green
Saint Xavier University's (IL) Copy Cats Print Services has announced a new initiative to make their business more environmentally friendly. Copy Cats has purchased a new digital system that uses 45 percent less electricity, emits 48 percent less heat, releases no ozone or particle emissions and is lead-free.
U Montana Purchases Bio-diesel Bus
The University of Montana has purchased a new bio-diesel bus for its campus bus service. The new bus is the second in a series of four buses that the University plans to purchase, and was funded through a federal grant and the student transportation fee. The remaining two buses will be purchased through equal funding from the student transportation fee, the Office of Administration and Finance, and the campus' federal transportation grant.
Mount Mercy College Partners to Increase Energy Efficiency
Mount Mercy College (IA) has announced plans to install a campus-wide energy management system. The new system is expected to save an estimated 1.3 million kWh annually, which is about 20 percent of the campus' current annual electric usage. Installation will commence this fall and will be operational for the 2009-2010 academic year. Interstate Power and Light Company will install the new system.
U New Hampshire Distributes Free CFLs
The University of New Hampshire has announced plans to pass out 1,720 free compact fluorescent light bulbs to students living in UNH residents halls this fall. The CFLs are estimated to save the university $17,250 in energy costs. The CFLs for students will be divided among UNH's 23 residence halls and distributed door-to-door by hall directors in the first few weeks of the fall semester. All students who receive a CFL will also get an informational postcard outlining other ways to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption on campus and describing safety procedures for disposing of broken or burnt-out CFL or incandescent bulbs.
U New Mexico-Taos Constructing 500 kW Photovoltaic System
The University of New Mexico-Taos recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 500 kW photovoltaic solar panel system installation. The UNM solar array is part of a 1.1 MW photovoltaic system distributed among several sites in New Mexico. The project has an expected completion date of January 2009.
U Oregon Installs Solar Awnings
The University of Oregon has begun installing solar awnings on its Eugene campus. If the pilot program is successful, the awnings, which function to provide solar energy, passive cooling and daylighting, will be installed on other Oregon University System campuses as well.
Colorado State U Pueblo to Install Solar Array
Colorado State University-Pueblo has announced plans to install a more than one MW solar electric system. The system is estimated to contribute more than 10 percent of the University’s electricity needs. Installation of the ground-based solar array will begin in July with full operation scheduled for late this fall. The University will purchase the electricity generated by the solar array from BP Solar, who will install and operate the system.
Rockhurst U Purchases Green Computers
Rockhurst University (MO) has purchased 230 new computer workstations that are expected to last twice as long as PCs and will use 90 percent less energy than traditional desktops. The new computers, which are about the size of a VHS tape, will produce less heat, cutting down on air conditioning and electricity costs. The system calls for moving the software and storage from each individual computer to five powerful servers located in the campus data center. The Virtual Desktop Infrastructure will speed processing times, provide instant desktop recovery, and lessen the time spent on upgrades and repair. Once the system is fully implemented, Rockhurst plans to donate more than 200 CPUs to local nonprofit organizations.
UNC Wilmington Installs LEDs
The University of North Carolina, Wilmington has replaced 150-watt lighting pole bulbs with twin 48-watt LED energy efficient bulbs. Additionally, the new lights at Wagoner Hall feature 24-watt LED fixtures. Overall, the University expects savings in energy of more than 50 percent over the previous lights.
CSU Monterey Bay Receives 2 Awards for Energy Conservation
California State University, Monterey Bay has received two awards for its energy conservation efforts. The first award came from the Monterey County Business Council's Public/Private Partnership. The University was honored for implementing projects that have resulted in significant energy savings. Projects included lighting retrofits, heating and ventilation retrofits and controls upgrades, resulting in an annual savings of 16 percent of the University's electricity consumption and 11 percent of natural gas consumption. CSUMB's second award was part of an Energy Efficiency Partnership Program among California utility companies. The University received a best practice award for a project to monitor and reduce energy consumption in nine campus buildings. An 11 percent savings in electricity use and a 24 percent savings in natural gas consumption were achieved in the nine buildings that were monitored by the centralized energy management system.
Santa Clara U Wins Energy Innovator Award
Santa Clara University (CA) has won one of five Silicon Valley Power Energy Innovator Awards. SCU received the Environmental Innovator Honor for constructing a 338-panel solar system on its mail facilities building and promoting creative energy and sustainability programs that reach 9,500 staff, faculty, and students.
Glendale CC to Install 262 kW Solar Array
Glendale Community College (CA) has partnered with Glendale Water & Power and Chevron Energy Solutions to create a project on the college's campus that comprises 872 solar panels with a rated output of approximately 262 kW. The photovoltaic panels will be installed on a parking structure on campus. Glendale Water & Power will own and operate the system and sell the emission-free solar energy back to the college at the same price as conventional power.
Indiana U Students’ Energy Contest Website Wins Int'l Competition
Two Indiana University School of Informatics graduates took a first-place award at the Imagine Cup finals, an international competition sponsored by Microsoft Corp., for their residence hall energy reduction competition website. The theme of this year's Imagine Cup was the environment; specifically, participants were encouraged to "imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment." The pair’s website design won against 200,000 other entrants.
Sault College Installs 32 kW Wind Turbine on Campus
Sault College (ON) has constructed a 32 kW wind energy turbine on its campus. The turbine features 9-meter blades, a low noise level, and an aerodynamic blade design that was optimized for the highest annual production in areas with average winds of 3 – 6 meters per second.
Tufts U Joins Clean Energy Development Program
Tufts University has signed an agreement with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to join “Clean Energy Choice-On Campus,” a green energy development program coordinated by MTC, a Massachusetts development agency for renewable energy. For every dollar donated by individual members of the Tufts community, MTC will put aside a matching grant of $2. MTC will divide the matching funds three ways — one-third will be available to Tufts to use for future alternative energy sources on campus like solar panels and wind turbines, one-third will be put into a fund for renewable energy programs in the city, and the remaining funds will go into an account administered by MTC for green energy projects in low-income communities across the state. The original contributions from Tufts will be used to purchase renewable energy credits.
U Maryland Baltimore Reduces Energy Load by 20 M kWh in 2 Years
The University of Maryland Baltimore has announced that it reduced its electricity load by more than 20 million kWh in two years as a result of its participation in Comverge, Inc's PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland) Demand Response Programs, which helped UMB to reduce its peak demand and overall consumption. Examples of the strategies that UMB and Comverge are implementing include: using an existing 20,000 ton-hour/2,000-ton output thermal storage system to shift air conditioning load from daytime on-peak operation to night-time off-peak operation; remotely controlling all public area lighting and turning off all non-essential lighting loads during periods of high demand; and putting a portion of the campus chilled water production on a "current limiting" mode for short 30-minute periods.
U North Alabama to Reduce Energy Use
The University of North Alabama has undertaken a project designed to reduce the University's environmental impact and utility costs. UNA plans to replace windows and doors in older buildings, re-insulate heating and cooling ducts, and install motion-sensitive lighting where appropriate.
Williams College Installs 26 kW Solar Array
Williams College (MA) has installed a 26.88 kW photovoltaic array on the college's new library shelving facility. The array is part of Williams College's campaign for greener buildings. The solar modules used in the project were built in Massachusetts.
Emory U Installs Solar PV Array
Emory University (GA) has installed a 1 kW solar photovoltaic system on the roof of a job-site trailer on campus. The solar panels help power the construction of Emory’s New Psychology Building, and will generate an estimated average of 112 kWh per month of electricity. The solar system was supplied by Southern Energy Solutions.
Suffolk U Joins Massachusetts Clean Energy Program
Suffolk University has joined the "Clean Energy Choice-On Campus Program," administered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Through the program, Suffolk will help grow the demand for alternatives to fossil fuel-generated electricity, earn funds for on-site renewable energy projects at Suffolk, and generate a double-matching grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to provide clean energy funds for the City of Boston and low income communities throughout Massachusetts.
UC San Francisco Partners to Install a 250 kW Solar System
The University of California, San Francisco has partnered with MMA Renewable Ventures and Wells Fargo to install a solar energy system in San Francisco that will provide renewable power to UCSF’s Mission Bay campus. MMA Renewable Ventures will own and operate the 250 kW system through a long-term Power Purchase Agreement with UCSF. MMA Renewable Ventures will also arrange equity investment for projects through its Solar Fund III, a financing commitment with Wells Fargo to fund 10-15 MW of solar energy projects nationwide. This agreement allows UCSF to receive power from renewable energy sources without having to pay the upfront installation costs or ongoing maintenance expenses.
Allegheny College Pilots Energy Efficiency Program
Allegheny College (PA), one of several American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment signatories to launch pilot projects through the Clinton Climate Initiative's Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program, has selected Siemens Building Technologies to audit the energy use of a variety of systems throughout the campus infrastructure. Following the initial audit, Siemens will use the data to prepare a formal presentation that outlines what facility improvement measures will deliver the best energy efficiency gains. The energy savings figure produced from the audit will provide the basis for the development of a performance contract that guarantees the savings and provides the financial means to pay for the retrofits.
Appalachian State U Installs Solar Array on Campus
Appalachian State University (NC) has installed a 4 kW photovoltaic system on campus. Electricity from the system will be sold onto the grid and additional revenue will come from selling the associated Green-Power credits. The project was funded by a $5 per semester student fee called the Renewable Energy Initiative that was begun in 2005 to support renewable energy initiatives on campus.
Appalachian State U to Install Wind Turbine
The Appalachian State University (NC) Renewable Energy Initiative has announced plans to install a 100kW community-scale wind turbine on campus. The turbine proposed for the project will stand 115 feet tall, will have a blade diameter of 66 feet, and is expected to produce 150,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The organizers do not yet have a timeline for installation.
Oklahoma State U Completes Energy Upgrades
The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences has completed energy efficiency upgrades to five buildings that are expected to realize approximately $9 million in energy savings over the course of a 20-year performance contract with Johnson Controls, Inc. Based on a utility bill comparison, the project has already delivered more than $154,000 in operational savings during the installation period. The savings are a result of upgrades that range from glazing windows and installing lighting controls to retrofitting the buildings’ plumbing and air flow systems. Work began on the project in September 2006.
Purdue U Installs Energy Efficient Supercomputer
Purdue University (IN) has installed a new supercomputer designed to use up to 80 percent less energy and be more effective in some situations. The system is designed for high performance computing used in research supercomputers, and its processors draw 600 milliwatts of power each, compared to 25,000 milliwatts in standard supercomputers.
U Arizona Uses Ice to Cool Buildings
The University of Arizona has created the University Thermal Ice Storage Project, an award-winning chilled water production and distribution system that spends the evening and early morning hours freezing water that is then used to cool buildings across the main campus and at the Arizona Health Sciences Center. The system involves the use of water chillers, cooling towers, pumps and pipes that snake around the campus through underground pipes that connect the plants. The project can produce more than 900 tons of ice per hour and the pipes feed the melting ice, or cooled water, to campus buildings. The process moves the bulk of the UA’s electrical load from the hot daytime hours to the cooler nighttime hours. UA recently received the Energy Efficiency Leader in Education Award from Trane for being one of a few institutions to have such a project up and running. And, just recently, the UA partnered with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ Tucson chapter to begin teaching engineering students about chilled water technology and other heating and cooling processes.
Carroll College to Complete Energy Efficiency Renovations
Carroll College (WI) has announced plans to complete several upgrades to make the campus more energy efficient. Carroll will replace three boilers, upgrade lighting and plumbing fixtures and controls, and install a backup propane fuel system. The College expects to save enough money in energy bills to break even on the project in 15 years.
Rutgers to Construct Major Solar Farm
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Board of Governors has approved the construction of a solar energy facility that will generate approximately 10 percent of the electrical demand of the Livingston campus. Nearly half of the cost of the project will be subsidized by a rebate through the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Clean Energy Program. In addition, Rutgers plans to sell Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs) generated from the photovoltaic system. The University expects to recoup its investment within seven years. By the end of the 15-year incentive program, the university anticipates that it will net a return of $6.6 million over its initial investment. The seven-acre facility will be the largest solar energy project in New Jersey. It is expected to begin operation in spring 2009.
