Energy, Utilities & Environmental Stewardship

Campus utility infrastructure, energy management, sustainability, and the systems that power educational institutions efficiently and responsibly.

Campus Computerized Control and Monitoring Systems Building automation systems (BAS) or direct digital control (DDC) systems have been used in all building types throughout the last few decades to control and monitor mechanical and electrical equipment such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. BAS are also important tools...
Campus Utility Systems Master Planning Campus utility master planning is a process to identify required utility services, strategies, and costs. Scope is based on a focused purpose, specific product, and periodic self-analysis to document existing utility systems, current needs, and the extent and timing of future needs. Master planni...
Central Heating Plants To evaluate alternatives for meeting energy demands and to make sound decisions about large capital expenditures for plant additions and alterations, facilities managers need a basic understanding of heating and power plant cycles and equipment. This chapter discusses central heating and po...
Cooling Systems and Thermal Energy Storage Central cooling systems can displace small localized chillers. In evaluating central cooling system merits, facilities managers consider annual operating costs, annual energy and domestic water use, system age and condition, and capital availability. (1) Central chiller plants take advantage of t...
Data and Voice Network Infrastructure Networking technologies (initially part of administrative overhead) serve as the telecommunications backbone of most universities and play a critical operations role. Network technologies have evolved because of data distribution (e.g., virtual disks and data archives; subject to network outages...
Domestic and Fire Protection Water Supply and Distribution Systems The university provides potable water (e.g. for drinking, research, instruction, cleaning, irrigation, animal husbandry, fire protection) and either owns and operates a water distribution system or works closely with a water supplier. Water quality must meet regulatory standards and be aesthetica...
Electrical Distribution Systems Electricity cannot be stored or stockpiled in large quantities, so generating capacities must meet peak load requirements instantly. The move from early DC systems to high-voltage AC transformers solved voltage drops during long-distance transmission and varying voltage requirements, lead...
Energy Generation Alternatives Utilities are classified as electric; thermal (heating and cooling) for space conditioning; or thermal for process requirements, water, and sewer. Supplying a utility from a central production station is based on economies of scale (e.g., equipment, real estate, labor, operations) outweighi...
Energy Management and Conservation The building sector consumes 36 percent of total energy used in the United States. In the commercial building sector, 42 percent of energy is electricity (e.g., for lighting, heating, cooling, other applications). The actual energy use mix varies with geographic location and occupancy type, but n...
Roadmap for Campus Environmental Sustainability Introduction Climate Challenge. Global climate change creates pressure to lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission levels despite uncertain economies and financial pressures. Universities must maintain sustainability and environmental thought leadership in research and teaching, development of carbon ...
Sanitary Sewers and Stormwater Management Systems Introduction to Sanitary Drainage Systems In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates wastewater and stormwater released into the sanitary or storm sewer systems or into bodies of waters (e.g., lakes, rivers, bays, ocean) through the National Pollutant Discharge Elim...
Source Energy Energy is an important component of every college or university’s total budget. While the cost of energy is far from the largest piece, the potential for annual price variability can result in significant swings to the institution’s budget. Energy supply and demand, regulations, renewable ene...