Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.77
Liaison Paul Edlund
Submission Date May 31, 2023

STARS v2.2

Montana State University
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.33 / 6.00 Duke Elliott
Resource Conservation Engineer
Facilities Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Site energy use per unit of floor area

Performance year energy consumption

Electricity use, performance year (report kilowatt-hours):
kWh MMBtu
Imported electricity 50,745,570 Kilowatt-hours 173,143.88 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) 261,126 Kilowatt-hours 890.96 MMBtu

Stationary fuels and thermal energy, performance year (report MMBtu):
MMBtu
Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy 378,190 MMBtu
Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water 0 MMBtu

Total site energy consumption, performance year:
552,224.85 MMBtu

Performance year building space

Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
5,652,153 Gross square feet

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor area
Laboratory space 317,460 Square feet
Healthcare space 17,828 Square feet
Other energy intensive space 47,326 Square feet

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
6,370,055 Gross square feet

Performance year heating and cooling degree days 

Degree days, performance year:
Degree days
Heating degree days 7,573 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 329 Degree-Days (°F)

Total degree days, performance year:
7,902 Degree-Days (°F)

Performance period

Start and end dates of the performance year (or 3-year period):
Start date End date
Performance period July 1, 2020 June 30, 2021

Metric used in scoring for Part 1

Total site energy consumption per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
10.97 Btu / GSF / Degree-Day (°F)

Part 2. Reduction in source energy use per unit of floor area

Baseline year energy consumption

STARS 2.2 requires electricity data in kilowatt-hours (kWh). If a baseline has already been established in a previous version of STARS and the institution wishes to continue using it, the electricity data must be re-entered in kWh. To convert existing electricity figures from MMBtu to kWh, simply multiply by 293.07107 MMBtu/kWh.

Electricity use, baseline year (report kWh):
kWh MMBtu
Imported electricity 49,689,028 Kilowatt-hours 169,538.96 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) 0 Kilowatt-hours 0 MMBtu

Stationary fuels and thermal energy, baseline year (report MMBtu):
MMBtu
Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy 403,762 MMBtu
Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water 0 MMBtu

Total site energy consumption, baseline year:
573,300.96 MMBtu

Baseline year building space

Gross floor area of building space, baseline year:
4,243,259 Gross square feet

Baseline period

Start and end dates of the baseline year (or 3-year period):
Start date End date
Baseline period July 1, 2007 June 30, 2008

A brief description of when and why the energy consumption baseline was adopted:
We are using data used for our greenhouse gas report for our performance year. We chose to use the baseline data we had for prior greenhouse gas reports so our data sets would be consistent.

Source energy

Source-site ratio for imported electricity:
3.14

Total energy consumption per unit of floor area:
Site energy Source energy
Performance year 0.10 MMBtu per square foot 0.16 MMBtu per square foot
Baseline year 0.14 MMBtu per square foot 0.22 MMBtu per square foot

Metric used in scoring for Part 2

Percentage reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline:
26.00

Optional Fields 

Documentation to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
---

A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency:
MSU maintains a solid link between Facilities Services (building management and maintenance) and academic and administrative functions. Specifically, MSU staff regularly respond to requests for campus tours of energy systems, campus presentations, guest lectures and student mentoring with engineering Capstone projects and other projects and enquiries. MSU Engineering and Utilities participates in the Campus Sustainability Council as a voting member and also maintains regular contact with Residence Life and Auxiliary Services regarding energy efficiency opportunities. MSU Engineering and Utilities maintains regular contact with projects and consultations with MSU Sports Facilities also as a way to facilitate campus wide practices toward the implementation of the most efficient technologies and practices.

A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution:
Heating and Cooling Guidelines

Facilities Services fully understands the relationship between building internal temperature variation as it relates to occupant comfort and productivity. With these criteria in mind, the following guidelines have been developed to assist in the understanding of our goals for providing an optimal working environment.
Heating Guidelines

During the heating season from October through April, the goal is to maintain a space temperature above 66 degrees F in campus buildings.
Cooling Guidelines

During the cooling season from May through September, the goal is to maintain a space temperature above below 78 degrees F in campus buildings.

A majority of buildings have designated occupied/unoccupied hours. In order to save energy, the building temperature will change from the normal operating set points of occupied mode. Temperatures during unoccupied periods will be approximately 62ºF during the heating season and 82ºF during the cooling season. It is highly recommended to be prepared with appropriate clothing and have extra layers available if possible.

A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
MSU employs LED lighting in all new construction projects. LEDs are also used in all remodel projects. LEDs will be used to replace existing t-8 flourescent light fixtures in locations receiving the highest use with plans to implement campus wide LED retrofits in all indoor spaces.

A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
MSU has transpired solar collectors (solar walls) to preheat makeup air on Jake Jabs Hall, Yellowstone Hall and Cooley Lab as well as Norm Asbjornson Hall, Hyalite Hall and Rendezvous Dining.

A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution:
MSU uses a steam turbine to generate approximately two million KWH of electricity each year. The turbine is fed by 185# steam from the central heat plant boilers which is then reduced to 45# steam in the turbines for campus distribution.

A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and systems with high efficiency alternatives:
MSU engaged a private firm for recommissioning of auxiliary buildings (residence Halls, dining facilities, sports facilities) beginning in 2009. We have ongoing major maintenance program that addresses specific needs each year with a strong focus on energy efficiency projects.

Website URL where information about the institution’s energy conservation and efficiency program is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
MSU has approx. 62,000 sq ft of biosafety (BSL) level two and three space included in the laboratory space reported square feet.

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.