Starting with December 2010, the Physical Plant is posting individual energy usage reports for buildings at Eastern Michigan University.
The reports, compiled by Steven Moore, the energy and sustainability manager at EMU, show energy use, utilities and cost for each building.
The reports are part of an on-going effort by EMU to increase awareness of the collective environmental impact of day-to-day activities.
“We hope to make people more aware of energy usage,” Moore said.
The reports are compiled two ways. The first is through manually reading meters at buildings. The second is through a meter-reading system, SCADIA, which reports data in real time. The numbers are compiled into a database to be used in the reports.
Although the reports only provide data for December 2010 and January 2011, Moore plans on expanding the information.
“Eventually I would like to get an interactive chart,” Moore said.
The more busy buildings are among the highest in energy usage.
“Mark Jefferson, being a science building, and Halle (Library) because of how much it is used,” Moore said.
Generators provide 40-60 percent of the campus’ energy, according to Moore. The generators run on natural gas and have a steam by-product that can also be used for energy.
Moore said the generators, which were installed three years ago, have reduced EMU’s greenhouse gases 15-20 percent.
“We do pretty well on energy usage on a square-foot basis campus wide,” Moore said. “We look pretty favorable compared to other universities that I have data for.”
Moore also said he has seen an increase in interest in sustainability among students and faculty.
“There’s a general interest in being green and sustainable on campus,” Moore said. “A lot of students are caring and feel strongly about energy use.”
Senior and biology major Tom Otto is “fairly conscience” of his energy use after a class required him to keep track of his carbon footprint and how much energy he uses.
“I typically walk to work, or ride my bike,” Otto said. “I unplug all of my appliance and don’t leave lights on.”
Senior and psychology major Abby Dardini curbs her energy usage by recycling plastic bottles and using more biodegradable products.
Otto and Dardini agree EMU could do more to be more eco-friendly.
“There’s probably ways that they could do more,” Dardini said. “I guess I haven’t noticed them (EMU) being eco-friendly or green.”
“I think they could do more,” Otto said. “I think … some of the automatic sinks in the bathroom and stuff are a good addition, but I think maybe some more motion sensor lights would help out in areas that don’t necessarily need to be lit all the time.”
Several classes on sustainability are now being offered on campus, including GEOG 179, Sustainable Development and GEOG 479, Sustainable Cities.
The student organization GREEN—Gathering Resources about Educating about our Environment and Nature—is also involved with sustainability on campus.
In the works for energy and sustainability education on campus is Green Week 2011.
Green Week is March 15-20.
To find more information on energy and sustainability efforts on campus, or view the building energy reports, go to http://www.emich.edu/physplant/green.html. Moore also regularly updates a Twitter, @EMUgreen, with sustainability news and events on campus.
