ENERGY & CLIMATE
Lynn Bailey
Assistant Director of Utilities, Facilities Management
Our ambitious goals for 2025
- AASHE STARS Platinum
- Reduce carbon emissions by 24% by 2020
- MTCO2E reduction of 2%/ur or 45% by 2025
- 5% on-site renewable energy
- Power Purchase Agreement for at least 20% energy in which DU retains the renewable energy credits.
- Continue reduction of on-campus electrical consumption by 500,000 kWH/yr.
We are currently at over 35% carbon footprint reduction and our energy efficient projects are continuing successfully.
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Grant
In support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot initiative, NREL is providing Solar PV Screenings to universities seeking to go solar. A partnership with CSU allowed DU to participate by name in their request for proposals for sourcing 100% of electrical demand through renewables. After DU was selected as a grant recipient, using the System Advisor Model (SAM) and Aurora model, NREL conducted an initial techno-economic assessment of solar PV feasibility. NREL then provided DU with customized results, including the cost-effectiveness of solar PV, recommended system size, estimated capital cost to implement the technology, and estimated life cycle cost savings.
DU awarded a contract to Pivot Energy for on campus solar photovoltaics. This project will place over 7,000 panels on 18 rooftops, for a total of 2,250 kW. These panels will produce over 3,100,000 kWh annually, 7-8% of the total campus electricity consumption. DU will retain all of the renewable energy credits (RECs) associated with this energy, allowing us to reduce our carbon footprint 3-4%.
Green Buildings
New buildings continue to be built at LEED Silver standards or higher. Reaching these standards requires a focus on energy and water consumption, daylighting, bicycle amenities, heating and cooling systems, indoor air quality and more. The Green Fund is providing incremental funding for more efficient building systems. The Denver Advantage buildings will be the first on campus to comply with the new Denver Green Roof Ordinance. The first year residence hall and the Pioneer Career Achievement Center are both being designed with solar arrays.
Energy Efficiency and the Green Fund
The Green Fund (established in June 2017) provides funding for energy efficiency projects with a blended return on investment of ten years of less. Projects this year included:
- LED lighting upgrades in Nelson Hall, parking garages and all of the Ritchie Center
Cumulative savings from these projects will be over 2,000,000 kWH and over $268,000 annually. Since 2008, over $3 million of energy efficiency projects have yielded annual savings of over 9,000,000 kWH and $874,000.
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