To download a copy of the UC’s Clean Energy Policy, click here.
As of 2008, UC Santa Cruz purchases 100% renewable energy. The EPA lists Santa Cruz as the 6th largest green power purchaser in the United States. The funding for this purchase originates from a student fee of three dollars per student per quarter, instituted by a student referendum in 2006.
UC Berkeley was the first UC campus to install significant solar power when the student government bought a 120kW system for the roof of the student union building. Since then, many other campuses have made solar photovoltaic installations, including UC San Diego, UC San Francisco, and UC Santa Barbara.
To learn more about the Energy Efficiency Partnership, click here.
To learn more about the Green Campus Program, click here.
UC San Diego East Campus utilities plant solar array
UCLA captures from a neighboring landfill to partly fuel the campus co-generation power plant and generate 3.48 MW of power. UC Davis has 1 of 51 landfills across the state with a gas-to-energy program. The methane captured at the landfill offsets the purchase of approximately $80,000 a year in natural gas.
Clean Energy
The “UC Go Solar” campaign originated as a campaign by a coalition of students aiming to reduce the impact of the university. By increasing energy efficiency and decreasing the use of non-renewable energy sources, environmental consequences of UC’s activities could be reduced.
Programs such as the award winning Energy Efficiency Partnership, with the California State University and the state’s investor owned utilities, continues to provide opportunities for energy savings and exploration into renewable energy. The Green Campus Program, managed by the Alliance to Save Energy, provides students energy efficiency and conservation internships.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a fundamental element of the University’s sustainability program. UC has committed to reducing its growth-adjusted energy consumption by 10% or more by 2014 from the year 2000 base consumption level.
Consequently, projected cost savings from energy efficiency projects are nearly $12 million annually. With more than $20 million in grant funding up to date and more energy efficiency projects identified, savings will continue to increase.
Renewable Energy
The University of California has committed to reducing dependence on non-renewable energy, and in doing so, has established the goal to buy 20 percent of its grid-purchased electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and to generate 10 megawatts of onsite renewable electricity by 2014.
From Solar Photovoltaic Installations to Landfill Gas and Grid Purchase of Renewable Power, different campuses are pursuing opportunities to reach UC’s target for renewable energy.
