The University has been seeking suggestions for saving money
at budgetideas@unc.edu. In the first of an
occasional series exploring some of the most frequently mentioned cost-saving
ideas, the Gazette is examining ways to save energy across campus.
Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chancellor for campus
services, discussed many of the key issues involved in reducing energy
consumption and costs, both from a University-wide perspective and an
individual one.
Gazette: How is the University trying to
save energy?
Elfland: This is an important issue, and I’m glad the
University has received many suggestions about saving energy. It gives me a
chance to explain Carolina’s commitment to sustainability and some of the
things we’re doing.
In 2006, Chancellor Moeser signed the American College and
University Presidents Climate Commitment, pledging that Carolina will become
climate neutral as soon as possible – and by mid-century at the latest.
We will publish our carbon reduction plan in September.
Currently, almost 90 percent of our carbon footprint comes
from energy we produce or purchase. Fortunately, the energy we produce at the
Cogeneration Facility, one of the cleanest coal-burning power plants in the
country, has helped us significantly reduce the cost of energy we purchase from
Duke Power.
Our new buildings are being designed to use 30 percent less
energy than the national standard. In addition, we’re taking a look at the
various ways we can save energy in our other buildings.
Gazette: Can we use monitoring systems to control the
temperature inside buildings and turn off the lights when classrooms and labs
aren’t in use?
Elfland: We’re testing energy-saving approaches to see what
can be applied broadly. With a 200-year-old campus, that presents quite a few
challenges since the technology we can use in new construction can’t
necessarily be applied to older buildings.
We have a central energy management system that allows us to
control the temperature in most buildings across campus around the clock. About
a year ago, we began a program to reduce heating and cooling in 30 buildings,
but have had to scale it back to 20 buildings.
Most of our building control systems are outdated and only
allow the heat or cooling to be off or on – not set up or back. And in
most buildings we can’t adjust the temperature in individual rooms; any change
we make affects the entire building or a major portion of it. So, in buildings
with computer servers, we can’t cool only those rooms.
Eventually, we hope to be able to upgrade these control
systems across campus, but with the state budget crisis, we simply can’t
undertake something of that scope right now. We continue to try to identify
additional buildings to include in this program. As part of that effort, we
contact potentially affected departments in advance to determine if there are
special situations we aren’t aware of.
Gazette: Are there other things that can help?
Elfland: There are many things we can do as individuals to
save energy. Turning out the lights when we leave a room makes a huge
difference in energy consumption, especially with around 40,000 faculty, staff
and students on campus at some point during the day. The same can be said for
powering down computers at the end of the day and adjusting thermostats both
during and after the workday.
Last January, across the University, we phased out
incandescent light bulbs and want people to use the energy-saving compact
fluorescent lights instead. We also have a policy to buy products with Energy
Star certification when those products are available. Lab equipment uses a
similar energy rating system. Our Sustainability Office is leading the effort
to educate the campus community about ways to save on energy consumption, and
related costs, while we contribute to protecting the climate.
Gazette: Could the University keep any
savings from reduced energy costs?
Elfland: Most of our energy budget is allocated by the state
of North Carolina, based on energy we've actually used plus projected price
increases, so any energy-related cost savings will revert to the state, not to
the University. But that doesn't diminish the importance of reducing our energy
use.
Gazette: What will happen with these
suggestions about ways to save energy?
Elfland: The campus community has submitted many excellent
energy-saving ideas. While we might not be able to incorporate all of them
right away, we’re keeping track of them and want to include as many as possible
into Carolina’s carbon reduction plan. So, thanks to everyone who has weighed in
on this topic.
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