University Operations Services

Harvard Real Estate Services, in conjunction with Harvard Parking Services, has placed two 10 kW wind turbines atop the Soldiers Field Park Garage. After almost two years in planning stages, the structures were at last erected and set spinning on a bright day in September, 2009.

The University banded together during the August heat wave to significantly reduce energy consumption.

During the summer of 2009, Transportation Services installed efficient lighting fixtures and sensors within 10 University parking garages and at the Fleet Management facility at 155 North Harvard Street. The project is expected to conserve significant amounts of electricity and save approximately $400K a year.

Harvard Yard, the organically managed centerpiece of the University, got a little greener with the installation of new recycling containers in the Yard. The receptacles were installed next to five new Big Belly solar-powered trash compactors.

Engineering and Utilities (E&U) is providing the University with a powerful new tool to better manage energy consumption. New hardware, software, and metering are being installed to offer real-time energy usage information which will ultimately enable building operators to improve the efficiency of their buildings.

The University now has a new and powerful tool for determining, among other things, how much energy is being consumed. Energy Witness® is the new utility billing and reporting system replacing the Progress® online utility reporting tool.

Congratulations to CommuterChoice for winning a 2009 Bike Friendly Business award.  Boston Mayor Tom Menino hosted the awards ceremony at the Boston Children’s Museum on April 16.  Mayor Menino presented Manager of CommuterChoice Kris Locke and Associate Director for Parking Services Jim Sarafin with the award for their extensive efforts to promote bicycling on

On May 12, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new bike shelter near the Divinity School. Transportation Services Director John Nolan, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Environmental Services Tom Vautin, Manager of CommuterChoice Kris Locke and others gathered for the event. The shelter, on Francis Street, encourages bicycling by providing a covered area for up to 74 bikes.

Did you know that University Operations Services (UOS) uses recycled rainwater to wash hundreds of University-owned vehicles each year? It’s true. In addition to conserving water, recycling rainwater helps control pollutants washing into the Charles River and recharges groundwater supplies for the dry summer months.

Harvard is embarking on a University-wide effort to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and University Operations Services (UOS) is helping to lead the way. The scope of this initiative is substantial and every UOS employee has an important role in ensuring its success.