Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.65
Liaison Melissa Cadwell
Submission Date June 15, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Syracuse University
OP-5: Building Energy Consumption

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 6.00 Melissa Cadwell
Sustainability Coordinator
Energy Systems & Sustainability Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1

This credit is based on energy inputs from offsite sources and electricity produced by onsite renewables. When the institution purchases one fuel and uses it to produce heat and/or power, you should enter only what is purchased. For example, if the institution purchases natural gas to fuel a CHP system and produce steam and electricity, only the purchased natural gas should be reported.

Figures needed to determine total building energy consumption:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Grid-purchased electricity 400,957.09 MMBtu 389,122.52 MMBtu
Electricity from on-site renewables 3,958 MMBtu 3,925 MMBtu
District steam/hot water (sourced from offsite) 439.64 MMBtu 375.54 MMBtu
Energy from all other sources (e.g., natural gas, fuel oil, propane/LPG, district chilled water, coal/coke, biomass) 0 MMBtu 0 MMBtu
Total 405,354.73 MMBtu 393,423.06 MMBtu

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or 3-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2014 June 30, 2015
Baseline Year July 1, 2010 June 30, 2011

A brief description of when and why the building energy consumption baseline was adopted (e.g. in sustainability plans and policies or in the context of other reporting obligations):
The baseline was adapted to go along with our Climate Action Plan.

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area of building space 9,747,423 Gross square feet 9,683,459 Gross square feet

Source-site ratio for grid-purchased electricity:
3.14

Total building energy consumption per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Site energy 0.04 MMBtu per square foot 0.04 MMBtu per square foot
Source energy 0.13 MMBtu per square foot 0.13 MMBtu per square foot

Percentage reduction in total building energy consumption (source energy) per unit of floor area from baseline:
0

Part 2 

Degree days, performance year (base 65 °F / 18 °C):
Degree days (see help icon above)
Heating degree days 7,086 Degree-Days (°F)
Cooling degree days 610 Degree-Days (°F)

Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
Floor Area
Laboratory space 204,137 Square feet
Healthcare space 3,460 Square feet
Other energy intensive space

EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
10,414,464 Gross square feet

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

Optional Fields 

Documentation (e.g. spreadsheet or utility records) 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 (e.g. outreach and education efforts):
• Between 2012 and 2014, four of our five dining centers went trayless utilizing less water for washing the dishes • A Light's Out campaign with light's out sticker were placed on all light switches plates. • Solar panels visible, to residents on South Campus, remind the community to turn off their electronics • Held a "Caught Green Handed" campaign to reward students who are being sustainable • A news release went out about SU's effort's to purchase 35% of renewable energy credits • Held a workshop to promote sustainability related projects (WILDER Compound Project Promote Sustainability Article) • Students of Sustainability, student group, created to promote everyday sustainability practices across the student population • News Releases on being recognized as a top green power purchaser from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (SU has won the athletic conference versus each year and has been in the top 25 since the begging) • Each semester a sustainability related documentary is show • Participated in the White House American Campuses Act on Climate Day of Action • Sustainability Initiatives sponsors poster session and student competition • SU hosts Earthfest which Celebrates Earth Day with Art, Speakers, and Local Food • $3M Award by NSF for Education Model Program on Water-Energy Research • University Formalizes Commitment to Prohibit Direct Investment in Coal, Fossil Fuels • Students’ Award-Winning Project Reduces Energy Consumption and Pollution on Campus • Participation in RecyleMania reminds people to be more sustainable throughout their day • University Receives $3.2M to Develop Localized Heating and Cooling Systems

A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution (e.g. building temperature standards, occupancy and vacancy sensors):
The established temperature guidelines for occupied spaces are 68 degrees during the heating season (September 15-May 15) and 76 degrees during the cooling season (May 16-September 14). Cooling temperatures only apply where air conditioning equipment currently exists. During winter break, the University has Green Days and sets back all buildings not associated with research for approximatly 10 days. Some exceptions include laboratories, research areas, and art/book archives.

A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
Center of Excellence, CoE, Building Orientation - To optimize the building’s southern exposure in order to avoid solar energy drain during the colder months, the tower portion of the building is rotated 13-degrees from the urban street grid; Windows - The south façade features highly insulated glass with integrated electronically controlled blinds that provide solar heat and glare control, capable of operation at 15-degree increments. The ceramic white dots on the windows passively reduce glare and solar heat gain; Lighting - High efficiency compact fluorescent and LED lighting, controlled by a daylight harvesting (auto dimming) system and auto shut-off occupancy sensors, are used throughout the building; http://syracusecoe.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/SyracuseCoE_LEED_Score_Card.pdf
+ Date Revised: July 2, 2019

A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
Solar thermal installation to heat water on South Campus in the three bedroom apartments. Coe-Windows - The south façade features highly insulated glass with integrated electronically controlled blinds that provide solar heat and glare control, capable of operation at 15-degree increments. The ceramic white dots on the windows passively reduce glare and solar heat gain;

A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution, e.g. combined heat and power (CHP):
Syracuse University Green Data Center is a first-of-a-kind demonstration of an onsite tri-generation system (power, cooling, and heat) that was custom designed for a data center. The facility also includes IBM’s latest computers and computer-cooling technology. The innovations reduce energy use by 50 percent compared to traditional approaches, making it one of the most energy-efficient data centers in the world. http://researchcomputing.syr.edu/resources/green-data-center/

A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment and systems with high efficiency alternatives (e.g. building re-commissioning or retrofit programs):
As all the food services areas are update and renovated, they are switching out electric appliances to natural gas or steam. We have a policy that no personal space heater and or cooling systems be used.

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Website used for conversion from kWh to MMbtu https://www.unitjuggler.com/index.html Website used for conversion from klbs of steam to MMbtu https://www.abraxasenergy.com/energy-resources/toolbox/conversion-calculators/energy/

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.