Spotlight on Green Schools

Schools are focusing more and more heavily on cutting back on the energy they use and trying to reduce their impact on the environment. The articles on these pages spotlight individual campus energy conservation programs, energy initiatives, solar installations, energy-related technology, HVAC, research, grants, policy, and other topics related to green campuses.


Solar Panels Reduce Carbon Footprint and Energy Bill at CU-Boulder

A new array of solar panels installed at the University of Colorado at Boulder has doubled solar power production on campus, providing clean energy for research facilities and saving the campus about $50,000 a year in utility costs.

Texas State University Selects New Energy Management Software

Texas State University, San Marcos is implementing new energy management software that automates the university's data entry and audit process and provides Web-based reporting and other tools.

Power Purchase Agreement Brings Solar Energy to UH Manoa Facility

A new solar energy project underway now at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology will save UH Manoa an estimated $2.3 million in energy costs over the next 20 years.

Texas State Overhauling Energy Management

Texas State University-San Marcos will go live with a new energy management program this fall. The move is designed to improve reporting, benchmarking, and measurement while also speeding data entry and auditing.

Central Connecticut State U To Save $100,000 per Year with Fuel Cell

Central Connecticut State University has installed a 1.4-megawatt fuel cell power plant that will reduce the school's energy costs by $100,000 per year.

Harvard rooftop solar installation

Harvard Adds 600 kW Rooftop Solar Array

As part of its goal to decrease institutional energy usage by 30 percent in the 10 years between 2006 and 2016, Harvard University has just installed the largest solar project on campus.

How Much of the Cloud Is Dirty Smoke?

A Greenpeace report on the environmental impact of the biggest cloud service providers is prompting some campuses to rethink their clean-energy options.

 Phase 1 of Crowder Colleges new Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology (MARET) Center

Project Profile: Crowder College's 'Role Model' for Green Campus Facilities

When construction on Crowder College's new Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology (MARET) Center kicked off in September 2011, the word "green" was on everyone's mind. From the facility's construction materials to its energy sources to it wastewater management, literally every corner of MARET Center's 10,000-square-foot first phase factored in environmentally conscious practices and decisions.

IT Efficiencies Leading to Cost Savings in Higher Ed Data Centers

Energy-efficient power systems, server consolidation, and expanded use of virtualization are helping to drive down costs in higher education data centers, according to a new report released Monday.

On Bike Share Launches New Bike Sharing Service

On Bike Share has launched a new campus bike share system designed to provide an alternative transportation choice to college and corporate campuses.

Rereading the Green

A year after being rocked by scandal, LACCD aims to turn its tarnished reputation green again.

Community College in Massachusetts Using New Technology to Teach Sustainability

A new building dashboard at Bunker Hill Community College lets students, faculty track energy use in health-wellness center.

Concordia College To Save $100,000 Per Year with Efficiency Upgrades

Bronxville-based Concordia College has made energy efficiency upgrades designed to save the school nearly $100,000 per year.

UH Manoa Begins $15-million Renovation of Science Facility

A $15-million makeover will update labs and classrooms, improve energy efficiency, and create new spaces for collaborative learning activities at UH Manoa's Edmonson Hall.

Bryant University green data center

Bryant U Cuts Energy Expenses 15 Percent with New Data Center

Rhode Island's Bryant University has adopted a "green" approach to energy management in its data center and has experienced campus-wide benefits as a result, including significant decreases in energy costs.