Brandeis University 2011 Case Study Energy FINALx

Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts Energy SCHOOL Brandeis University, Private, years, 5,000, Waltham, MA ABSTRACT The Brandeis Renewable Lighting Project uses solar power to light up lights at the entrance of the Brandeis campus The project, which included replacing old and outdated lighting and poles was awarded $ 9,103.00 from the BSF GOALS AND OUTCOMES Goals Future: The goal of the project in the next years is to see wide adoption of the technology by resident students The student Eco-Rep program will use TTwitter and Facebook to encourage and monitor occupants using the system Each semester Eco- Reps will hold an energy use contest and the goal is for energy use to drop at least 20% The goal is to see energy use hold steady at least 10% 10 after a challenge (goals may change with research results) results) Previous energy contests, called Do It in the Dark, saw about 10% change without technology As monitoring after the contest couldn’t occur, behavior “stickiness” wasn’t measured A first-year Common Cause Community (themed living floor) oor) called “Thinking Green”, will be launched by the Department of Community Living for the 2011-2012 2012 school year In partnership with this floor we will work to spread use o of the dashboard to other floors and buildings buildings At the end of the first year we willll survey students about the technology for improvement suggestions for the next year If the technology proves cost effective, we would hope to add more buildings to the Dashboard System, as the BSF grant helped absorb much of the startup costs, and each added building will wi become an incremental charge In addition an upper class dorm “Charles River Apartments” is aactually ctually individually metered for electricity, and uses electrical heating This data is a goldmine for energy behavior- but displaying and accessing it was problematic Using “WegoWise” an affordable software package that will load the bills monthly (not real time) we hope to share such detailed information with apartment residents Though the package doesn’t have the interactive tools such as Facebook,, we hope the buzz from the Building Dashboard will help spread more “Smart Meters” project with different platforms Accomplishments and Outcomes As the student grant project application was funded it has so far been successful The themed floor is an exciting addition to the success of this program program Reduced energy use se helps positively impact the natural environment through decreased emissions emissions National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 Challenges and Responses The Smart Meters’ main challenge was the perceived high cost of startup to the project BSF board members and student community members asked tough questions about the cost to benefit ratio Many were satisfied by the results at other schools, however noting that success at Brandeis required similar levels of commitment to actually spreading use of the technology The fact that an established Eco-Rep program and now a themed floor would be involved in using the technology bolstered the viewpoint that it was a wise investment The location of the touch screen was desired to be in a prominently used location on campus Space available to install the screen was tight, but with cooperation with the Shapiro Campus Center/Student Activities staff a prime location was found In addition the project cost does not include a lock for the screen, a University requirement, this cost was absorbed by facilities In the future hopefully all involved costs would be upfront in the BSF application process Campus Climate Action: Your School’s Carbon Footprint The Smart Meter’s will directly address global climate change The system shows Co2 use and reduction and effectively communicates to users the connection between energy and climate Commentary and Reflection This project requires some amount of financial resources- securing funding is an important step A student fund could be a good place as well as other sustainability related project areas As funding was limited we had to choose the buildings to begin the project wisely- about buildings were allowed An entire first year quadrangle composted of buildings was a good choice- as contests in a quad could be successful The additional building has air conditioning- so we thought it was a cost effective choice for behavior change The last building is the main student center on campus and will host the dashboard screen ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT Leaders and Supporters Professor Laura Goldin teaches an Environmental Studies Course titled “Greening the Ivory Tower” that implements hands on sustainability projects The project was funded by the Brandeis Sustainability Fund (BSF), a fund created by students vote to increase fees by $15 a year Samuel Porter, a first year student in the Greening the Ivory Tower, a hands on campus sustainability course, wrote the grant for Smart Meters which was awarded the largest amount by the BSF Janna Cohen-Rosenthal the Sustainability Coordinator and William Bushey, the Energy Manager in Facilities Services Department worked with Sam on his grant proposal Once funding was received for the project logistics were undertaken directly by facilities and Lucid Designs Funding and Resources The Smart Meters project- installing the Lucid Building Dashboard system is funded through the Brandeis Sustainability Fund (BSF), a student sponsored competitive grant program The Department of Facilities Services has agreed to pay the yearly service costs which will be roughly $4,000 a year $ 16,450.00 Brandeis Renewable Lighting Solar Light Fixtures- National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 $ 4,000.00 $ 4,965.00 $ 25,415.00 Brandeis Renewable Lighting Labor Costs Brandeis Renewable Lighting Lighting Poles- Project Name Description Smart Meters Software, Hardware, and Programing Dashboard Display Smart Meters Vendor or Manufacturer Lucid Design Group Inc Lucid Design Group Inc Website Total Amount http://www.luciddesigngroup.com/ $ 20,027.25 http://www.luciddesigngroup.com/ $ 6,050.00 $ 26,077.25 Smart Meters Total Education and Community Outreach We will be conducting community outreach during orientation and the fall semester to spread adaptation of the service Eco-Reps in Massell and Village will work to spread its use CONTACT INFORMATION Contacts Janna Cohen-Rosenthal, Sustainability Coordinator, 781-736-4194 jannacr@brandeis.edu Samuel Porter, BSF Project Writer, sporter@brandeis.edu Laura Goldin, Environmental Studies Professor “Greening the Ivory Tower” goldin@brandeis.edu Case study submitted by: Janna Cohen-Rosenthal MORE ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL Campus Sustainability History Creating a sustainable campus is an exciting opportunity to continue Brandeis' history of connecting academic theory with social justice practice The Campus Sustainability Initiative is charged with reducing Brandeis' environmental and climate change impact The initiative is a collaborative effort between many departments, offices, academic disciplines and student groups and lead by the Department of Facilities Services Brandeis has signed the AUC Presidents Climate Commitment and released a Climate Action Plan with a goal of climate neutrality by 2050 Highlights include environmental experiential learning programs, Eco-Reps, a 277 KW Solar PV Array, and much more National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 Brandeis has received a Bronze STARS rating Details of campus greening efforts is available at www.brandeis.edu/campussustainability National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 ... 781-736-4194 jannacr @brandeis. edu Samuel Porter, BSF Project Writer, sporter @brandeis. edu Laura Goldin, Environmental Studies Professor “Greening the Ivory Tower” goldin @brandeis. edu Case study submitted... 16,450.00 Brandeis Renewable Lighting Solar Light Fixtures- National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011 $ 4,000.00 $ 4,965.00 $ 25,415.00 Brandeis Renewable Lighting Labor Costs Brandeis. .. • 2011 Brandeis has received a Bronze STARS rating Details of campus greening efforts is available at www .brandeis. edu/campussustainability National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2011