| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.12 |
| Liaison | Maria Dahmus |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
University of St. Thomas
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.15 / 6.00 |
David
Clysdale Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor Facilities Management |
Electricity use, performance year (report kilowatt-hours):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 26,722,916 Kilowatt-hours | 91,178.59 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 37,074 Kilowatt-hours | 126.50 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, performance year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 189,101.50 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 17,983.70 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, performance year:
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor area | |
| Laboratory space | 97,754 Square Feet |
| Healthcare space | 17,265 Square Feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 89,256 Square Feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Degree days, performance year:
| Degree days | |
| Heating degree days | 8,024 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 916 Degree-Days (°F) |
Total degree days, performance year:
Start and end dates of the performance year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Performance period | July 1, 2019 | June 30, 2020 |
Total site energy consumption per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
Electricity use, baseline year (report kWh):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 39,123,913 Kilowatt-hours | 133,490.79 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 3,122 Kilowatt-hours | 10.65 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, baseline year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 194,048.80 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 28,183.05 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, baseline year:
Gross floor area of building space, baseline year:
Start and end dates of the baseline year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Baseline period | July 1, 2012 | June 30, 2013 |
A brief description of when and why the energy consumption baseline was adopted:
We selected the baseline based on the earliest year for which data is available in the university's current tracking system of key performance indicators.
Source-site ratio for imported electricity:
Total energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Site energy | Source energy | |
| Performance year | 0.10 MMBtu / GSF | 0.15 MMBtu / GSF |
| Baseline year | 0.11 MMBtu / GSF | 0.20 MMBtu / GSF |
Percentage reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline:
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:
In the summer of 2019, the University of St. Thomas held a two-week Campus EcoChallenge to encourage students and employees to engage in sustainable behaviors. The Office of Sustainability Initiatives' student sustainability leaders conduct peer education on a range of sustainability topics, including energy conservation.
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution:
The University has standard building space temperatures between 70 (heating) and 76 (cooling) during occupied times and between 60 and 80 during unoccupied times. The building automation system (BAS) is utilized in over 95% of all buildings controlling the HVAC schedules, temperature control and alarm functions. Occupancy sensors are used throughout the buildings to control lighting ventilation systems.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
The University began retrofitting to LED light technology in 2012/2013. The university employs LED lighting in the following areas:
- Residence Halls: occupant rooms, common areas, kitchens and stairways
- Academic buildings: offices, common areas and stairways
- Exterior walk ways, wall-pack lighting, parking lots and parking ramps
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and systems with high efficiency alternatives:
The University instituted a program of re-commissioning and continuous commissioning in 2010. A study is conducted in two to three building per year and a list of Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) is developed and implemented. ECMs include temperature control retrofits lighting upgrades, replacements and equipment upgrades. The University works with it energy provider to develop rebates to support the ECMs.
In 2010 and 2015, the university received awards from Xcel Energy for achieving the largest amount of natural gas savings among its commercial customers.
Website URL where information about the institution’s energy conservation and efficiency program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.