Energy

Vision

Through ongoing leadership and innovation, the University of Kansas strives to develop a sustainable energy system.

 

Goal 1: Establish a framework for making decisions related to energy conservation and efficiency

Objective 1.1: Formalize the process for identifying, prioritizing, and monitoring energy conservation and efficiency initiatives

The University of Kansas needs a comprehensive program to evaluate campus energy consumption using a systemic approach so that decisions about energy budgets and investments can be made with the entire campus in mind.

Strategy 1.1.1: Compile annual utility reports to identify trends in consumption and assess individual building performance

Strategy 1.1.2: Establish goals for campus-wide energy consumption

Strategy 1.1.3: Prioritize investments in conservation programs based on energy performance of facilities

Strategy 1.1.4: Adopt core practices related to energy management, infrastructure and building systems that maximize efficiency across campus as a whole

Strategy 1.1.5: Publish annual progress reports that assess performance of efficiency projects.

 

Objective 1.2: Adopt university policies and practices to reduce energy consumption

Strategy 1.2.1: Review and update the Campus Energy Policy annually as needed.

Strategy 1.2.2: Establish new processes and procedures within operational units to address problematic energy uses.

 

Objective 1.3: Create a system to fund project implementation

Considerable financial savings can be realized through investments in energy efficiency; however, the current funding mechanisms do not allow for a comprehensive approach to funding projects of various scales.

Strategy 1.3.1: Develop an energy budget and financial process that connects expenditures on energy consumption, investments in efficiency and conservation programs, and reallocation of savings accrued through these programs

Strategy 1.3.2: Increase the base for the revolving green loan fund

Strategy 1.3.3: Develop a process to capture savings from energy conservation projects outside of the Revolving Green Loan Fund program to reinvest in future initiatives

Strategy 1.3.4: Explore financial strategies outside of performance contracting to funding large-scale projects and infrastructure improvements

 

Goal 2: Reduce energy consumption throughout campus

Objective 2.1: Coordinate efforts to increase energy efficiency through technical means

Departments under operations need to communicate and be proactive in reducing energy through the physical campus.

Strategy 2.1.1: Analyze buildings and operations for retrocomissioning of HVAC, electrical, lighting and control systems to ensure campus systems continue to operate at maximum efficiency.

Strategy 2.1.2: Prepare efficiency studies on the cost and benefits of major energy conservation measures

Strategy 2.1.3: Implement energy conservation measures, including mechanical upgrades, operational efficiencies and ongoing preventive maintenance

Strategy 2.1.4: Coordinate with Facilities to address inquiries and complaints about mechanical changes, failures, or outages

 

Objective 2.2: Coordinate efforts to reduce energy consumption through conservation behaviors

Administrators, staff, faculty and students need to understand their individual roles in reducing energy consumption.

Strategy 2.2.1: Engage building occupants in an energy awareness and education program about specific energy conservation behaviors

Strategy 2.2.2: Establish leadership within buildings to identify and support conservation initiatives.

Strategy 2.2.3: Provide individual users with real time energy use/consumption data

Strategy 2.2.4: Develop financial incentives for department to foster responsibility for conservation practices in building users

Strategy 2.2.5: Establish ongoing monitoring of progress and provide to building occupants

Strategy 2.2.6: Recognize buildings, departments, or schools that are achieving the highest levels of efficiency or for conservation efforts

 

      Objective 2.3:  Coordinate efforts to reduce peak demand energy use

Reducing peak energy consumption in summer months and during other seasonal spikes will both save energy and reduce peak demand charges.

Strategy 2.3.1: Coordinate use of facilities to optimize energy use during peak demand.

Strategy 2.3.2: Explore opportunities for technological solutions such as thermal storage and on-site peak electrical generation

 

Goal 3: Transition from our current carbon-based system to a reliable renewable energy system

Objective 3.1: Increase on-site renewable energy production

In order to move toward sustainable energy use, we must transition from our current reliance on coal and natural gas by incorporating renewable energy on-site and through development and procurement of off-site renewable energy sources.

            Strategy 3.1.1: Establish realistic goals for on-site energy generation

Strategy 3.1.2: Strategy 3.1.2: Integrate campus-sited renewable energy generation such as solar, wind and geo-thermal with new construction, major renovations, and infrastructure projects

Strategy 3.1.3: Develop design standards for integrating roof-top solar

 

Objective 3.2: Increase the purchase of off-site renewable energy

See explanation for Objective 3.1.

Strategy 3.2.1: Partner with regent institutions to develop goals and strategies for increasing renewables statewide

Strategy 3.2.2: Explore potential for off-site development of large-scale renewable energy generation through private-public partnerships