Energy Strategy
Annually, NYU consumes:
- 130,000,000 kWh of electricity
- 3,500,000 gallons of fuel oil
- 8,000,000 therms of natural gas
- NYU output is about 0.30% of New York City's total greenhouse gas emissions
- Energy use in buildings accounts for at least 90% of NYU's contribution to global warming
NYU's energy "footprint"—the equivalent land area needed to meet its energy needs—may cover more than 50 square miles. (Try your hand at this ecological footprint game to learn more.)
Energy Goals
- NYU reduced university-wide electricity consumption more than 5% from FY07 to FY08 (weather normalized). A relatively similar gain is intended for FY09.
- On an ongoing basis, offset carbon output and other environmental impacts from conventional, outside power purchasing with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) or onsite renewables
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2017
- Increase use of energy (electricity, heat, chilled water) sourced from in-house cogeneration to around 50% by 2010
Current Initiatives
- Recess equipment schedules are being reconfigured to save energy during the cooling season. RECESS MODE, a collaboration to save energy.
- Relamping of Seventh Street residence hall and Washington Square Village parking garage with higher efficiency lighting
- Installation of 2,500 occupancy sensor lighting controls in offices, meeting rooms, and classrooms
- "Lights Off" campaign to turn off unused lighting and other loads, especially before weekends or breaks
- Installation of occupancy sensor air conditioning and heating controls in student residences
- Verifying schedules and correct operation of Building Management Systems
- Making building consumption data more easily available via the Web.
- Recommissioning a large building (TBD) for energy savings.
Past Initiatives
- Replacement of over 25,000 incandescent lightbulbs with low-mercury, high efficiency compact fluorescent lightbulbs in residence halls
- Installation of occupancy sensor air conditioning and heating controls in two student residences (Alumni Hall and 26th St Dorm)
- Relamping of Silver Towers parking garage and Washington Square Village corridors with higher efficiency lighting
- Establishment of policy to have custodial staff insure all lights are turned off after cleaning
- Creation of computer power management guidelines
- Installation of Vending Misers to reduce vending machine energy consumption
- "NYUnplugged", a residence hall energy conservation competition
Overall Energy Strategy
A good energy strategy will provide clear guidelines throughout the university community for construction, maintenance, and the ongoing use of energy; reduce the impacts of energy production on the environment; and help make New York City a better place to live.
- Goals and metrics: collecting good data about energy usage, setting benchmarks, analyzing progress towards targets
- Conservation: reducing energy use in heating, cooling, lighting, and other building needs (for example, shutting off the lights when no one is in the room)
- Efficiency: doing the same thing with less energy (for example, replacing light bulbs with efficient compact fluorescents)
- Procurement: getting energy from the cleanest and most renewable available source when possible, and getting the best price possible on our standard sources of energy so we have money for conservation and efficiency programs
- Production: expansion and best use of our cogeneration plant
- Education and outreach: University faculty, staff and student cooperation and support of the energy strategy are key to its success.