Clean, Renewable Energy at Harvard
Behavioral changes, green building design, and energy efficiency upgrades can minimize the amount of energy we consume in our day-to-day activities. However, we must still consider the source of the energy that we do consume. Most often, our energy comes from non-renewable fossil fuels that contribute to global warming (see image below). Renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, will be critical in reducing Harvard's environmental impact beyond what is possible from demand-side reductions alone.
U.S. Energy Sources (2006)
Renewable Energy at Harvard
Harvard currently invests in renewable energy by 1) purchasing renewable energy credits (RECs) and 2) installing and operating a number of on-site renewable energy projects. These web pages will help you to explore Harvard's current renewable energy initiatives, learn about how to finance renewable energy for your school or department, and see what technologies we hope to adopt in the future.
The Renewable Energy Fund
In an effort to make Harvard the nation's top university purchaser of renewable energy, Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers announced a new, $300,000 renewable energy fund to promote the development of renewable energy on campus. Read the full story, Harvard Gazette, March 10, 2005.
The Renewable Energy Fund has financed the purchase of 14,000 MWh of RECs for the winners of the annual Sustainability Pledge and has funded a full time staff member at the Green Campus Initiative. For the 2007 Sustainability Pledge, instead of purchasing RECs, it gave funding to three on-site renewable energy projects.
Map of Renewable Energy Installations at Harvard
Harvard has installed a number of renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaics, ground source heat pumps, a waste vegetable oil truck, and a biodiesel pump for the Harvard fleet. Check our our map of renewable energy projects at Harvard
Fact Sheets
We have created a series of fact sheets in order to educate the Harvard community about the different renewable energy technologies that can be installed on campus. The renewable energy field is growing and constantly changing, so these fact sheets may not be completely current.
Building Mounted Wind Fact Sheet
Ground Source Heat Pumps Fact Sheet
Third Party Financing Fact Sheet