Steam and chilled water are the primary sources used to heat and cool campus buildings. Steam is produced through the combustion of natural gas and chilled water is produced by using steam to drive a turbine chiller. Steam and chilled water are obtained from the plant near campus which serves Syracuse University, SUNY ESF, the VA Hospital and Crouse Hospital. Sustainability Management’s goal is to reduce steam and chilled water usage as it is the University’s largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The focus is on energy efficiency projects as they provide the greatest emissions savings at the lowest cost when compared to onsite renewables. Read below about some of the renewable energy projects completed on campus.
Solar on Campus
In 2020, 139 panels were installed on the roof of the Schine Student Center, which hold a total capacity of 50 kW. The system has generated 50,000 kWh annually. To put that number into context, the average home in the United States consumes approximately 11,000 kWh per year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The solar power production at the Schine Student Center will be roughly equal to the energy consumed by five residential homes. The power generated by the panels is fed into the building distribution system and reduces the facility’s demand for electricity.
In 2013, 240 solar thermal panels were installed on the roofs of 20 buildings serving 160 three-bedroom apartments on South Campus. For the first time ever, the three-bedroom apartments had the ability to use solar energy to heat their water, in addition to a hot water heater.
