Smart Energy Management Advances Seton Hall’s Sustainability Goals

Three energy reduction iniatives facilitated by the University's Facilities Engineering Department over the  summer, helped Seton Hall avoid an estimated 9 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, demonstrating how targeted energy management can deliver environmental benefits. The program is part of a broader strategy to reduce energy use, through a combination of energy curtailment, energy-efficiency and strategic improvements in campus buildings aimed at stewarding University resources responsibly.

Reducing Energy Demand, Delivering Results

Seton Hall has partnered with an energy reduction effort led by Voltus and Evolution Sustainability Group, two firms that help organizations manage their electricity demands.

Through the program,  Seton Hall will be able to lower its electricity demand during peak periods when reductions are most needed. Taking this step  will help the University cut overall energy consumption while also providing cost savings.

The summer energy reduction program eliminated an amount of CO₂ that is equivalent to cutting 22,439 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered vehicle or removing 10,012 pounds of coal burned. “These comparisons help illustrate the tangible environmental impact that can result from relatively short periods of targeted energy reduction,” explains Victoria Pivovarnick, AIA, associate vice president of facilities and business affairs.

Investing in Energy Efficiency
Seton Hall is also part of the PSE&G Clean Energy Future – Energy Efficiency Program, which provides financial incentives and assistance for energy-saving projects.

Through the program, which features updates in campus lighting and lighting controls, PSE&G can help offset the cost of eligible energy-efficiency improvements, creating opportunities for the University to pursue projects that might otherwise be delayed while simultaneously reducing future energy consumption.

Facilities Engineering is identifying and developing projects that may provide measurable energy savings. Construction and implementation will begin once projects are approved through the PSE&G program and will continue over the next two years.

Some nergy-efficiency steps could also address deferred maintenance needs within campus buildings. Pivovarnick notes that by combining energy improvements with necessary repairs, replacements and infrastructure upgrades, the University can address multiple facility needs through a coordinated investment. “This approach,” she says, “allows each project to serve more than one purpose: reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, improve building systems and address deferred maintenance.”

A Commitment to Campus Sustainability
Energy management is an ongoing process. Facilities Engineering continues to look for opportunities to improve building operations, identify sources of unnecessary energy consumption and make investments that provide both immediate and long-term benefits.

Programs such as energy reduction demonstrate how changes in building operations can produce measurable environmental results. Energy-efficiency projects, meanwhile, provide an opportunity to make longer-term improvements to the University's infrastructure. Together, these efforts support Priority 5 of the Strategic Plan, which focuses on our commitment to responsible stewardship of campus resources.

The goal is straightforward: use less energy, reduce costs, improve our buildings and create a more sustainable campus for the Seton Hall community.

By approaching sustainability as both an environmental responsibility and a facilities-management strategy, Facilities Engineering can help ensure that investments in the University's physical infrastructure deliver value today while supporting the campus for generations to come.

Categories: Science and Technology