2023 Electric Energy Efficiency Across Campus

Understanding the Importance of Energy Efficiency

Tracking and improving energy efficiency on university campuses is crucial for several reasons. Primarily, it reflects a commitment to reducing the environmental impact of campus operations. Energy efficiency measures lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions, which are key contributors to climate change. Additionally, efficient energy use helps in cutting operational costs, allowing us to allocate funds to other areas.

Demonstrating efficient energy management has been a critical part of the story in securing grants and funding for solar-generating projects on campus too. We must show that we manage energy efficiently and conserve resources rather than using funding to generate more and more energy that isn’t being used effectively.

Energy efficiency comes from technology such as updates to lighting and HVAC systems. Energy conservation is equally important and contributes to the energy efficiency of a building. This is where students, staff, and faculty can help by not having lights on unnecessarily and turning equipment off when not in use.

Energy efficiency and energy conservation also sets a positive example for all, fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible resource use.

How Do We Measure Energy Efficiency?

The method for calculating electrical energy efficiency is both straightforward and effective. We assess the total electrical energy consumption, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), of each building on campus. This data is typically gathered from the electrical meters installed in these buildings. The total electrical energy consumption is then divided by the building’s square footage, providing a kWh per square foot metric. This figure represents the electrical energy efficiency of each building, offering a standardized way to compare different structures regardless of their size or usage. By analyzing these figures, we can identify which buildings are more energy-efficient and understand the effectiveness of various energy-saving strategies.

Limitations in Campus-Wide Gas Consumption Tracking

While we track electrical energy efficiency across individual buildings, our approach to monitoring gas consumption faces certain constraints. The university’s gas usage is primarily tracked through a single meter located at the Heat Plant. This central metering system means that we are unable to gather detailed gas consumption data for each building separately. As a result, our reporting focuses predominantly on electrical energy efficiency. The reliance on one meter for gas tracking underscores a current limitation in our ability to fully assess and manage our overall energy footprint. Recognizing this gap, we are exploring potential strategies to enhance our monitoring capabilities for gas usage, striving for a more comprehensive understanding of our campus’s energy consumption in all its forms.

Campus-Wide Energy Efficiency in 2023: A Year of Progress

In the financial year 2023, the average electrical energy efficiency across all metered campus buildings showed a notable improvement, with a figure of 9.67 kWh per square foot. This is a significant improvement from the 2022 average of 13.14 kWh per square foot, and the 2021 average of 10.98 kWh per square foot. These numbers indicate a consistent trend towards greater energy efficiency on campus.

The improvement in energy efficiency on campus can be attributed to renovation projects such as Britt Hall, lighting upgrades, HVAC system updates as well as energy conservation measures. These comprehensive updates made Britt have much better energy efficiency. While the renovations were recently finished and long-term tracking of the updates is not yet available, it looks like the energy efficiency increased from 3.45 kWh per square foot to 2.79 kWh per square foot. This is a nearly 20 percent increase in energy efficiency after the remodel!

Looking Ahead: The Path to Sustainable Energy Use

The positive trend in energy efficiency is a step in the right direction, but there is always room for improvement. Future plans include continuing to update and retrofit existing buildings with more energy-efficient technologies. By maintaining this momentum, the university aims to reduce its carbon footprint further and lead by example in the journey towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.