ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ

Moving Forward: 2021-2026 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #1

Goal 1: Reduce campus and building energy intensity from 137 average kBtu/ft² to 110 average kBtu/ft².

Potential Strategies​

• Create and implement ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Low Impact Building Standards for construction/renovation projects which align with our sustainability commitments​. Low Impact will be defined in the aforementioned standard.

• Expand and institutionalize OHIO Sustainable Building Operations & Maintenance program​

• Restart building energy competitions; educate OHIO campus and communities about energy efficiency

Benefits of Goal #1 

• Reduced operation costs, specifically in electrical and natural gas bills
• Reduced emissions
• Increased occupant comfort and productivity
• Enhanced academic quality

Costs of Goal #1

• Capital expenses
• Increased maintenance costs

Moving Forward: 2021-2026 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Goal #2

Goal 2:  Decrease reliance on fossil fuel energy, hereby increasing the percent of renewable energy (defined by  of Technical Manual, OP6) in electricity, cooling, heating, and transportation (including, but not limited to, gasoline & diesel used to operate OHIO fleet vehicles, as well as fuels used in commuting by faculty, staff & students, as required by the  from 18% to 36%

Potential Strategies​

• Pursue innovative and sustainable renewable energy options for all or parts of campus energy​

• Consider regional campuses for siting of large on-site renewables​

Benefits of Goal #2

• Reduced operating expenses
• Reduced carbon emissions
• Increased resiliency benefits

Costs of Goal #2

• Capital expenses
• Maintenance costs

2011-2021 Sustainability & Climate Action Plan

• Benchmark 1: Reduce institutional greenhouse gas emissions. Target of 25% below baseline exceeded. Between Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) and FY18, net emissions decreased by 30%.​

• Benchmark 2: Reduce campus and building energy intensity. Nearing target of 20% reduction from 2004 baseline at 15% reduction.​

• Benchmark 3: Increase renewable energy. Nearing target of 20% renewables at 17.9%.

Energy Graphics

AASHE STARS compares programs across the nation in many different categories. ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ reports above the national average in energy.

At ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ, energy makes up about two-thirds of the carbon emissions, and therefore, is the largest sub-category by a wide margin. This is because buildings, the largest user of energy, is the largest category. For comparison, the next largest carbon polluter is transportation , which composes just over a quarter of total carbon emissions.

2023 Initiatives 

2022 Initiatives

2021 Initiatives

Renewable Energy Initiatives

Building 22/Ridges Solar Installment, 2.34 kW

Nine 260 W (DC) solar panels were installed next to Building 22 on the Ridges by Athena Solar Panels in October, 2016. The installation project was initially managed by a graduate student in Environmental Studies, Alex Burke, and data from the panels was used in his master's thesis. Output from the array is tracked through an Enphase Enlighten dashboard.

Storage Shed Solar Installment, 61.1 kW

This project was completed in 2012 and included: the installation of a 61.1 kW photovoltaic array by Dove Tail Solar and Wind on the roof of the storage shed adjacent to the Lausche Heating Plant; the installation of safety rails; and dedicated access to the roof in order to accommodate equipment maintenance. An architectural and engineering analysis concluded that structural upgrades to the storage shed were unnecessary. Output from the array is monitored through a sub-meter that is available for use for educational purposes.

Compost Facility Solar, 41.1 kW

ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ is home to the largest in-vessel compost system at any college or university in the nation. There are currently 41.1 kW of photovoltaic panels at the Compost Facility. A 10kW system was installed in 2008 by Dovetail Solar and Wind, and a 31.1kW system was installed in 2012. The compost facility also has Solar Thermal mounted on the roof of the second building. The Solar Thermal system heats the greywater used to clean the compost bins. Output from the arrays is hand tracked daily by compost operators.

OHIO Ecohouse, 2.4kW

The OHIO Ecohouse is a residential learning experience for off-campus-eligible students at ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ. A 2.4 kW was installed in 2005 by Dovetail Solar and Wind. The system is mounted on a tall frame in the yard of the Ecohouse since the house is situated in a holler and, therefore, does not have access to direct sunlight. On the opposite side of the house is a small Solar Thermal system that helps reduce the energy used for heating water for the residents. Output from the solar systems is tracked through EnergyCAP.

The PV array at the OHIO Ecohouse is mounted to a raised frame to optimize access to sunlight. 
The Solar Thermal system at the OHIO Ecohouse helps reduce the amount of energy dedicated to heating the water used by the residents.  

Innovation Center, 4 kW

The Innovation Center at ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ has one of the oldest and the most unique solar installation on campus. In 2003, Third Sun Solar and Wind Power installed 32 UniSolar PVL 124 W thin-film laminate panels to the Innovation Center roof. The laminates adhere directly to the metal roof of the Innovation Center and are visible as a darker color in the top left corner of the roof in the picture below. Generation from this array is tracked only by occasional manual reading of the meter located in the mechanical room of the Innovation Center.

Other Solar PV Systems

Two other PV arrays were installed in 2003 by Third Sun Solar and Wind Power. The West Green Chilled Water Plant has a 2.4 kW PV array and Chubb Hall has a 0.33 kW PV array. The generation from these older arrays is not currently tracked by ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ.

All solar PV systems at ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ are grid-tied.

ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Experts on Sustainable Energy