Conservation

ASU Energy Conservation Project
To reduce its overall energy consumption and water use, ASU completed a 24-month energy conservation project directed toward upgrading the utilities infrastructure on the Tempe campus. This project involved retrofitting lighting systems; replacing motors, chiller and cooling tower; upgrading HVAC systems; insulating steam pipes; installing a solar photovoltaic parking cover; initiating a boiler blow-down heat recovery system; installing direct digital control systems for new central plant equipment; and installing thermal energy storage controls.

Savings in electricity consumption roughly equates to 53 million kWh per year with a 13 MW demand reduction. Encompassing 80 buildings (6.5 million square feet of space), the environmental benefits resulting from the decrease in electricity use include annual emissions reductions of approximately 110,929,000 pounds of carbon dioxide; 2,014 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs); 221,222 pounds of nitrogen oxide (NOx); 16,748 pounds of carbon monoxide; 153,700 pounds of sulfer dioxide, 12,243 pounds of PM10 particulates; and 689,954 milligrams of mercury every year.

In addition to these retrofits, ASU also has begun to install an energy information system on campus that will provide real-time, on-line access to information about how campus buildings are consuming energy. See the Campus Metabolism site.

> Download the Energy Conservation Project Report (pdf)

Mandated Heating and Cooling Temperatures
To reduce energy consumed in the heating and cooling of ASU buildings, room temperature guidelines at ASU’s Tempe campus mandate that classrooms and offices are heated to no higher than 68 degrees Fahrenheit and are cooled to no lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, many buildings are being shut down on nights and on weekends.

Renewable Energy

Solar Powered Parking Structure
With more than 300 sunny days per year, Phoenix is a prime location for developing and using solar power. The roof of ASU’s Tyler Street Parking Structure houses a 30 kW photovoltaic system that generates energy for internal lights and provides shade for parked cars during the day. The receptors produce energy during peak energy and parking demand hours, allowing the university to conserve energy, reduce harmful emissions, and at the same time, comply with the university’s green building initiative.

Contract with Solar Developers
The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) was launched in August 2006 with the mission of applying a business-oriented approach to the fight against climate change in practical, measurable and significant ways. In November 2007, ASU issued a request for proposals, seeking a Solar Energy Performance Contract in line with the CCI. The intent of the contract is to establish an ongoing business relationship with a solar developer(s), to solarize over 310,000 sq ft of ASU building roofs, and to use the facilities as a key educational component of the Global Institute of Sustainability. Four to seven megawatts of power will be produced for ASU under a qualified management agreement.