SUNY Saves Energy
SUNY Program Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Saves Oil on Campuses
83,413 tons less of greenhouse gases, 216,000 barrels of oil, and annual energy savings of 21,000 kilowatts are the result of a new SUNY program.
New York State (SUNY) colleges and universities have recently installed energy-saving measures at 101 of their facilities throughout the state that each year will eliminate more than 83,413 tons of greenhouse gases and produce annual energy savings of 21,000 kilowatts, resulting in annual bill savings of $12.3 million, and reduction in annual oil use by 216,000 barrels. Over the next few years they plan to partner with the New York State Power Authority (NYPA) to take on at least 30 new projects, involving 31 SUNY facilities.
"The State University system has a long tradition of excellence educating generations of New Yorkers. Following (former) Governor Pataki’s directive requiring state entities to reduce energy use, SUNY’s leaders have committed to environmentally-sound energy-saving technologies for lowering their utility bills, improving air quality and reducing dependence on foreign oil. NYPA has been proud to lend its assistance to achieve these valuable results," said Power Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Timothy S. Carey during a press conference unveiling the plan.
"Maintaining SUNY’s 94 million square feet of high-quality, energy-efficient facilities, for the benefit of more than 424,000 SUNY students is one of our highest priorities. Every dollar we save on energy is a dollar we can use to support the high-quality education we provide our students," said SUNY Chancellor John R. Ryan at the same meeting. "Thanks to assistance from NYPA, SUNY is able to stay on track in meeting our ambitious energy initiatives."
The move to reducing energy use and using cleaner energy to power SUNY campuses actually began back in 2001, with an executive order from the governor requiring all state agencies to reduce their overall energy consumption by 35 percent, and have an energy mix of at least 20 percent supplied from renewable power sources by 2010. So far, SUNY is the farthest ahead of making this goal a reality.
The array of energy-efficiency measures installed as part of the SUNY projects include:
- lighting retrofit projects that replaced standard lighting fixtures with long-lasting energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures (lowering energy consumption by as much as 75 percent),
- advanced energy-management systems installed to control heating and ventilation systems, allowing maintenance staff to pre-set temperature settings to ensure maximum comfort while minimizing energy use,
- new windows that block harmful UV rays and retain radiant heat,
- high-efficiency chillers installed to replace units that are 20 to 30 years old.
Most recently, NYPA teamed with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse to install a 250-kilowatt carbonate fuel cell. The fuel cell supplies 17 percent of the electricity used on campus.
SUNY's energy conservation program began in 1972, when the oil embargo inspired increased energy efficiency worldwide. Since then, SUNY has reduced its energy use by 36 percent and saved more than $1 billion through FY 04-05. The methods used to reduce energy use and achieve these savings have ranged from shutting off lights and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems when not needed. These energy savings helped to pay for over $100 million in upgrades for more efficient lighting and HVAC systems.
In 2002, SUNY formed an energy-buying group that allows campuses to buy their electricity directly from the wholesale market operated by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO). This approach will save the 31 member campuses more than $1.7 million this year, with an additional $700,000 in savings at the University at Buffalo, one of the first direct customers of the NYISO. This year, the energy-buying group will extend membership to state campuses and community colleges served by the Central Hudson, and Rochester Gas and Electric territories.
In addition, 90 percent of SUNY campuses are using system-awarded natural gas contracts. These contracts allow campuses to lock in future gas prices while providing competitive delivery costs. Last year, many campuses used the ability to lock in forward prices to avoid the high gas prices in January and February. SUNY uses an outside consultant to bid gas needs and audit the bills from the selected gas marketers, a practice that saves about $250,000 a year. They also achieve annual savings on electric bills for these public facilities of more than $95 million and reduction in peak electricity use by about 200,424 kilowatts or enough electricity for about 160,000 homes.
