Save Energy. Save Water. Sustain Our Pack.
Just as we all take steps at home to reduce our energy and water bills, NC State is asking the campus community to help play an active role in its sustainability efforts as part of a new initiative.
Did you know that when you follow the sidewalk from Wolf Plaza into Talley Student Union, there is a giant cistern collecting rainwater under your feet? Or that when the university closes for winter break in December, the university’s people — and the facilities themselves — get a well-deserved respite? The Holiday Energy Savings Initiative, which involves turning down the thermostat in buildings with reduced occupancy, has saved NC State more than $6.3 million in energy costs since its launch in 2005.
Sustainability is happening all around us on campus. Even spaces with high research activity, which generally require large amounts of energy and water, are built with energy efficiency in mind. The under-construction Woodson Hall, for example, will have a built-in energy recovery system, which will convert heat that would normally be wasted into usable energy.
“As a Research 1 institution, it takes a lot of energy and water to support the amazing work that takes place on campus,” said Carla Davis, director of NC State’s Sustainability Office. “But we also do amazing work to maximize energy and water efficiency.”
LEED Certification
Per NC State policy, all buildings 20,000 square feet or larger must be certified at the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system at minimum.
Cogeneration
Two on-campus cogeneration utility plants generate approximately 50% of NC State’s electricity, resulting in more reliable electrical services, reduced environmental impacts and utility savings.
Reuse Water System
In collaboration with the city of Raleigh, NC State uses highly treated wastewater to irrigate, flush toilets and supply the utility plant on Centennial Campus.
You can take part in this work, too. NC State has launched Sustain Our Pack, a universitywide campaign to reduce energy and water use on campus. The campaign encourages campus community members to adopt small, simple habits to ensure we can continue our overarching mission to support the Wolfpack community and the rest of North Carolina for generations to come.
“Small steps by individuals add up,” said Allen Boyette, assistant vice chancellor for campus operations and maintenance. “There are tens of thousands of people on campus each day. If everybody does some of the basics, it makes a significant impact.”
The campaign includes five key behaviors everyone on campus can adopt, plus a call to awareness about the university’s behind-the-scenes work to maximize energy efficiency in campus buildings.
Sustain Our Pack: Key Actions
- Unplug
Electronics use power when they’re left plugged in. Unplug devices when they’re not in use to eliminate unnecessary energy consumption and costs.
- Switch It Off
Lighting accounts for 5% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s do our part to reduce emissions by turning off lights — and monitors — when they’re not in use.
- Reduce Water Use
Water is a precious resource we can’t live without, so let’s use it responsibly. Shorten your showers and turn off the faucet when you’re not actively using water.
- Wash on Cold
Most of the energy used in a washing machine cycle goes toward heating the water. If you’re doing laundry on campus (or at home) you can save energy by washing your clothes in cold water.
- Shut the Sash
An open fume hood sash in a lab can consume as much energy as 3.5 homes in one day. Conserve energy by shutting the sash when fume hoods are not in use.
- Embrace Eco-Mode
Eco-mode refers to the measures NC State takes to align the university’s energy and water consumption with the campus community’s actual needs. If you ever notice that building temperatures are higher or lower than usual during off-hours, for instance, know that it’s part of our strategy to optimize buildings for safety, efficiency and comfort.
Most of these conservation efforts take place behind the scenes. But in cases of extreme weather, which can put a strain on electrical grids, the campus community may be asked to take an active role in conserving energy.
A Model We Can All Learn From
Encouraging campus participation in energy and water conservation through Sustain Our Pack is part of the university’s larger strategic energy management plan. The university responsibly manages resources both to comply with state mandates and to ensure that we’re able to fulfill our land-grant mission of improving the lives of people in North Carolina and around the world.
“Teaching and research are the primary functions of the university, and we’ve got to meet those needs 100% — that’s our goal.” Boyette said. “But the university pays utility bills like we all do at home. By using energy and water wisely, we can meet today’s needs without impacting future generations’ ability to use resources.”
While the campaign aligns with NC State’s core value of sustainability and energy management strategy, it also exists to empower students with the knowledge to better interact with the world around them.
“We’re a teaching institution first and foremost, and learning doesn’t only take place in the classroom,” said Damian Lallathin, director of Energy Management. “We want to ingrain in students the principles to go out into the world and be better stewards of the environment. These are skills that will serve them in their personal lives and professional development.”
The entire Wolfpack stands to benefit from the sustainable practices happening at NC State, and it’s up to all of us to play our part in saving energy and water across campus.
“The Sustain Our Pack campaign is a tremendous example of how we Think and Do as an institution,” said Chancellor Kevin Howell. “Thanks to the hard work of our staff in the facilities division and the everyday actions taken by the rest of our campus community, we can meet our energy savings goals while also serving as a model for sustainability across the state and the nation.”
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