Nick Goldsmith TAITEM Engineering, PC AASHE Conference October 10, 2011

1. Sustainability in Campus Operations at Three Higher Education Institutions in Tompkins County, New York Nick Goldsmith TAITEM Engineering, PC AASHE Conference October 10, 2011

2. Main Argument • Campuses are microcosms of society, so sustainability solutions can be applied across many sectors AND • Tompkins County institutions are finding solutions THEREFORE • Specific actions from these schools could be implemented on a broader scale

3. About Tompkins County Higher Ed Institutions: • Cornell University • Ithaca College • Tompkins Cortland Community College

4. About Tompkins County • Sustainability a large focus • Emissions reduction goals: • 80% by 2050 • 20% by 2020 • HE sector represents 31% of the county’s carbon footprint… • …and 47% of the 2020 reductions

5. Institutional Overview CU = Cornell University IC = Ithaca College TC3 = Tompkins Cortland Community College

6. Emissions Data CU = Cornell University IC = Ithaca College TC3 = Tompkins Cortland Community College

7. TC3 - 6,000 tons Ithaca College - 37,000 tons Cornell University - 236,000 tons Emissions Breakdown Scope 1 = On-site combustion Scope 2 = Purchased electricity Scope 3 = Commuting, Air travel

8. TC3 - 6,000 tons TC3 emissions • 50%+ of emissions from commuting alone

9. Emissions Breakdown TC3 - 6,000 tons Ithaca College - 37,000 tons Cornell University - 236,000 tons Scope 1 = On-site combustion Scope 2 = Purchased electricity Scope 3 = Commuting, Air travel

10. Ithaca College - 37,000 tons Ithaca College emissions • > 50% from purchased electricity • A lot of buildings a lot of electricity usage • Scope 1 (on-site combustion) = 28%, dominated by natural gas use

11. Emissions Breakdown TC3 - 6,000 tons Ithaca College - 37,000 tons Cornell University - 236,000 tons Scope 1 = On-site combustion Scope 2 = Purchased electricity Scope 3 = Commuting, Air travel

12. Cornell University - 236,000 tons Cornell Emissions • 59% of emissions from on-site combustion • Cornell produces about 80% of its electricity

13. Solutions • Those are the problems… • What are the solutions? • Case studies show three very different examples • One size does NOT fit all http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/one-size.jpg

14. Tompkins Cortland Community College • Working with what they have • Sustainability budget of ~$2000 • No dedicated sustainability employees http://www.cortlandstandard.net/articles/07192011n.html

15. TC3 - Waste Management 2009: introduced 12 recycling stations Educational campaign Student activism

16. TC3 - Waste Management All weights in U.S. Short Tons (2000 lbs.) • Composting program • Trash more than doubled ‘08-‘09 • Policy change • Waste diversion rate • Looking forward

17. Ithaca College • Sustainability is a priority • Good at publicizing efforts • Example: green buildings http://www.international.utas.edu.au/static/exchange/images/ithaca4.jpg

18. Green Buildings on Campuses • LEED is popular on campuses • Popular green building certification • 2007: 10% of all LEED projects were on campuses • 75% of ACUPCC signatories have agreed to build new construction to LEED Silver standard • Includes all three Tompkins County institutions

19. Ithaca College - Green Buildings • Park Center was first LEED Platinum undergraduate business facility in the world • Many applicant architects Stern Publicity • Goals of new business school • Improve enrollment • Improve student quality • Beyond operational improvement - smart strategic move

20. Features and Savings • Passive solar principles • Super-insulated walls • Green roof • Geothermal heating • Advanced HVAC and lighting controls • Low-flow fixtures, Dual-flush toilets

21. IC - LEED Costs • Cost premium was “absolutely worth it with energy savings” • Lowest electricity consumption per square foot on campus • Back of envelope calculation: incremental cost of Williams center is paid back in 17 years

22. Cornell University • Different scale • 2007: ~ $4.4 billion endowment (17th highest in the nation) • 2009: completed $82 million upgrade of power plant • 2010: received $80 million gift dedicated to sustainability research and collaboration http://thetauepsilon.org/images/history/Cornell_University_West_Campus_Sign.JPG

23. Cornell University CHP Plant • What is combined heat and power (CHP)? • $82M upgrade added two natural gas-fired combustion turbines coupled with heat recovery steam generators • 37 MW capacity • Provides 80% of annual CU electricity needs • Provides 90% of heating needs

24. District Energy • Steam for heating distributed via district energy system to 150 buildings • Widely used in Europe (of course) • Gaining popularity in U.S., especially on campuses • > 60% of the ~550 DE systems in U.S. are on campuses

25. Benefits to CHP & District Energy • Environmental • Reduced CU carbon footprint by over 20% http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/8096521.jpg

26. Benefits to CHP & District Energy Environmental Reduced CU carbon footprint by over 20% Reduced CU carbon footprint by over 20%!! http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/8096521.jpg

27. Benefits to CHP & District Energy Environmental Reduced CU carbon footprint by over 20% Reduced CU carbon footprint by over 20%!! NOx and SO2 emission down 55% Allowed Cornell to stop burning coal http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/8096521.jpg

28. Benefits to CHP/District Energy • Financial • Justified financially in 2005, before ACUPCC • Lower life-cycle costs • Traded fuel costs for a mortgage payment

29. Conclusion • These case studies are examples of how schools can use the limited resources available to them to pursue solutions that make sense to their specific situation. • CHP/District Energy • Fuel switching: coal to… anything • Green Building Policies • Waste management

30. Thanks for watching! Nick Goldsmith Email: ngoldsmith@taitem.com Phone: 607.277.1118 x133 TAITEM Engineering, PC Technology As If The Earth Mattered