Energy Conservation Program Elements

ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Here are key components of an effective campus energy conservation program to reduce energy use and GHG emissions from campus operations:

Strong Program Leadership

An energy officer to develop energy conservation measures and projects and catalyze the entire effort.Full support from facilities leadership, the chief business officer, and the president

Enhanced Energy Awareness Aggressive Energy Conservation Policies which address:

Heating and cooling season temperature settings Building HVAC and fan operating schedules

Computer operations and "green computing"

Ban on all incandescent bulbs and halogen torchiere lamps (the latter is also a safety issue)

Energy purchasing (including buying green power)

Energy efficiency purchasing standards for various types of equipment -- hopefully going beyond Energy Star compliance

Improved space utilization to avoid new construction or heating/cooling of underused space

Energy efficiency standards for new construction

Restrictions on the use of portable space heaters

Energy practices in on-campus residence halls and student apartments

Residential appliance policies (e.g. load limits per room, ban refrigerators, TVs, microwaves, etc.)

Curtailment periods when campus use is minimal and energy shutdowns can be implemented.

Engaged Facilities Operations

An active facilities energy conservation committee which meets regularly and is encouraged and empowered by the physical plant director (and campus leadership) to push the envelope and aggressively pursue all conservation opportunities

Comprehensive implementation of no cost/low cost operational measures – e.g. temperature set-points, equipment run-times and building occupancy hours, etc. -- that push the envelope, i.e. risk complaints

Adequate facilities staffing levels – especially HVAC controls technicians, heating and power plant operators, mechanics, and electricians to operate the campus efficiently and readily implement energy conservation measures and projects in-house.Periodic re-commissioning of all existing buildings to optimize energy efficiency.

Facilities staff performance appraisals that evaluate staff on commitment to energy conservation. Empowerment of highly motivated staff who are anxious to implement energy conservation measures.Rewarding of staff who identify conservation opportunities and implement conservation measures.

Reconsideration of the timing of the academic calendar to better align it with periods of least energy cost operation, e.g. in cold regions this might involve shifting academic activity and campus occupancy away from the coldest months and implementing a partial campus shutdown during that period