Spring 2007, Volume 10 Newsletter:
FAS Engages Staff, Students and Faculty in Saving Energy
Having grown beyond the projects addressing energy consumption solely related to computer use, CERP is now tackling other direct and indirect sources of greenhouse gas emissions, such as labs, waste reduction, water conservation and green cleaning. The success of our many projects would not have been possible if it was not for our eco-citizens, a group of talented environmental advocates, who have partnered with us to get the word out about reducing the environmental impacts of FAS buildings. Our growing team of eco-citizens are a key link between CERP and the larger communities across FAS.
HGCI has also been working with building managers and occupants participating in the first ever FAS Building Energy Competition. The contest was highly successful and a few buildings achieved an over 10% reduction in their energy consumption compared to a 5-year baseline. Building occupants’ actions led to electricity savings of over $50,000 and overall energy savings added up to over $200,000. The latter is also a result of the many energy conservation measures implemented by the building managers and the FAS Energy team.
Hoffman won the Energy Competition with a spectacular decrease of 19.63% in its energy consumption. Jefferson and the Science Center also did very well, with a decrease of 13.6% and 7.85% respectively. As a prize, Hoffman will receive a special trophy made from recyclable, salvaged materials and a highly visible resource conservation feature that will further reduce its environmental impacts.
Our communication with building occupants has also been made easier thanks to the FAS-wide, centralized Energy E-mail. Staff, faculty and students can now e-mail us at energy@fas.harvard.eduwhenever they notice energy inefficiencies in their building or whenever they have energy related questions.
The HGCI team leader for this project is Gosia Sklodowska and Jaclyn Emig. The FAS project leaders include Jay Philips, Chris Trent, Larry McNeil and Steve Robichaud.
Paul Kelley, Lab Director in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department holds the eco-trophy in honor of Hoffman’s winning the Energy Competition. The trophy was created by Meredith Lanoue, the REP Yard Captain and is made from recycled and salvaged materials.