The University of Toledo

Energy

The University of Toledo has set a goal to reduce energy consumption 20% by 2014, with a corresponding reduction of greenhouse gas.
Presently UT is in the process of completing a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory and the Campus Carbon Calculator through the Clean Air-Cool Planet on-line Campus Climate Action Toolkit (CCAT). This process is scheduled to be completed by early 2010.

Within the Formal Energy Policy, efficiency is a goal. Heating and cooling systems are being updated. The campus environment and physical plant department schedules many buildings for night and weekend temperature setbacks during unoccupied periods in order to increase building efficiency during low-demand periods. Retro-commissioning has been actively managed for over a decade by the energy management team. The team is involved with mechanical repair of deficiencies identified through the inspection and condition assessment phase of annual energy audits that take place. The energy audits are an ongoing program to retro-commission mechanical and electrical systems within campus buildings, with particular emphasis on optimizing essential heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that consume significant quantities of energy. In the last three years, over 60 major buildings have been retro-commissioned and have received system tune-ups.

The University of Toledo has consistently committed to more sustainable practices. The University recently created a new recycling label, and slogan that will be used on many emails, signage, and other forms of communication throughout campus. The new slogan, “Blue and Gold Makes Green,” will remind everyone ways they can be more environmentally friendly. Moreover, the University has established a Go Green Committee to coordinate, and plan sustainability efforts throughout the University. This campus wide focus on awareness culminates in the annual Earthfest. Earthfest is hosted by the University’s Society for Environmental Education. The event hosts speakers on sustainability, and a number of other activities aimed at raising campus-wide awareness.

A program called Blackout, a month-long program (in October) that started in 2007, aims to encourage students to conserve energy and reduce waste. T-shirts are used as incentives for student participation as well as publicizing future Blackouts. Besides encouraging students to turn off their lights and unplug their electronic devices, part of the program also encourages students to use energy efficient light bulbs. Thanks to the UT Blackout program, initiated by residents living on campus, the university has saved about $14,000.

The UT community also participates in Earth Hour, which took place on March 28, 2008. Everyone on campus was encouraged to turn off lights for one hour. By turning off lights for that hour — Earth Hour — you are casting a vote for action on climate change.

The Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation, an entire campus dedicated to advancing renewable, alternative and sustainable energies, will soon be the home of grid tied solar and wind installations for renewable energy, generating 1 MW of energy by the end of 2010. Other proposed projects include work in biomass, geothermal, energy storage, electric transportation, and transformational grid analytics and modeling.

Additionally UT purchases electrical energy from renewable energy credits and partners with a synthetic gas plant for research and uses the gas they produce in the Health Science Campus heating plant.