For the first 108 years of its history, Cornell, like all of America, had minimal concern with the supply and price of energy. Beginning in 1973, however, there was a dramatic change in expectations. From 1980 to 2000, there have been substantial and successful efforts to reduce energy consumption on the Cornell campus. Reducing energy use saves money for other uses within the university operating on the three pillars of sustainability. Based on projects installed from 1980 to 2000, the Utilities Department has documented annual savings of over $7 million on energy expenditures, resulting in reduced carbon dioxide emissions of 50,000 tons per year. This reduced the building energy-related CO2 emissions (for electric purchases, CHP fuel) by 15%, from a potential 330,000 tons per year to 280,000 tons per year.
In 2001, with the guidance of the Kyoto Task Team, the university created a new, aggressive, and highly successful "Energy Conservation Initiative", involving students, staff and faculty. The goal of the initiative is a 20% reduction in all energy demands (as metered) by 2010, for the buildings existing as of 2000. To accomplish this goal, 4 full-time technicians have been added to continuously tune-up, or commission, the building energy and air conditioning systems. In addition, there are on-going energy conservation capital construction projects: retrofits at existing buildings and design considerations in new buildings. Since 2000, as a result of the Energy Conservation Initiative, carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced 15%.
Air Conditioning by Lake Source Cooling
Chilled Water is produced by Lake Source Cooling, supplemented by chillers. The Lake Source Cooling Project utilizes a renewable resource, the deep cold waters of nearby Cayuga Lake, and saves 90% of the energy required by the old conventional chiller system. The Lake Source Cooling Project reduces campus electricity purchases by 10%.
Holidays Season Savings
Each year Cornell encourages community members to turn off and unplug electronic equipment over holiday breaks. In the 2003 13-day holiday period, Cornell saved $75,000, which is equivalent to turning off 37,000 computer monitors and 50,000 two lamp fluorescent fixtures. Learn how a few simple changes can save money and energy.
