Canada’s Carleton University has released its latest “Energy Master Plan” today, part of a sustainability strategy that reduces current energy and water consumption and ensures the highest possible conservation levels are maintained as the campus evolves.
Carleton, known as Canada’s capital university, launched its inaugural Energy Master Plan in early 2014. The new plan builds on the work and progress the campus has realized since then.
“In Phase 1 [of the inaugural plan], we partnered with Honeywell to conduct building audits and, as a result of our energy retrofit initiative, we have seen a 16% average reduction in energy and water consumption in the five buildings targeted,” said Darryl Boyce, assistant vice-president, Facilities Management and Planning.
“The new Energy Master Plan builds on our progress since 2014. We now take a more holistic sustainability approach to our renovation projects, as well as when planning new buildings. We also know that by engaging our faculty, staff and students in our sustainability efforts – such as the $1-million Green Revolving Fund – and the facilitation of research opportunities within the Faculty of Engineering and Design, we will make continuous improvements in our sustainability efforts.”
The Carleton 2018-2021 Energy Master Plan addresses facility conditions; energy utilization and sustainability ratings; a detailed analysis of energy and water use and utility requirements needed for campus growth; and building retrofits to reduce energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
As a result of a comprehensive review of utility data and campus growth, the plan sets ambitious goals for the university, including:
Carleton has been recognized for its efforts and sustainability success. It achieved a silver rating for the Sustainability Tracking Assessment Rating (STARS) and is ranked in the top 35 global schools in the UI Green Metric rankings.
The first phase of implementing building energy retrofits has been completed and they’ve provided energy and water savings, as well wider environmental benefits. Carleton has achieved a 2,693,298 kWh reduction in annual electricity use, a 25,247 m3 reduction in annual water use and a 19,076 m3 reduction in annual natural gas use. This is the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions from 440 passenger vehicles driven for one year.
