We Conserve energy conservation initiative yields results

An energy-saving campaign launched at the University of Wisconsin–Madison two years ago has identified annual energy savings of $3.7 million and reductions of carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 28,000 tons a year.

We Conserve, which aims to engage the campus in an effort to slash energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010, is off to a fast and promising start, says Faramarz Vakili, associate director of physical plant and leader of the effort.

"I think we will reach our goal and possibly exceed it," says Vakili. "We are installing cutting-edge energy-saving systems, making conservation part of our campus ethic and engaging students, faculty and staff in our efforts to reduce the campus’s environmental footprint."

The savings result from a variety of improvements and changes being implemented as part of the campaign.

The university has done sophisticated energy modeling and retrofitting of five buildings consisting of 2 million square feet of space. Additionally, officials have employed more efficient steam and chilled water production, performed energy-efficient lighting improvements, upgraded laboratory fume hoods and piloted a power management system for computers.

One example of major energy savings can be found at Chamberlin Hall, where a $3.7 million energy upgrade cut energy use by 67 percent — a $900,000 annual savings that will allow a four-year payback on the investment. At Engineering Hall, energy improvements will result in a $680,000 annual savings and a four-year payback.

"On Earth Day, it’s great to report that the program has established some lasting relationships across the campus and into the community to help sustain the effort," Vakili says. "We’ve received crucial funding support from the state that has helped make this program a success."

We Conserve has also sought to raise campus awareness of energy conservation by providing informational talks for local and national audiences, cooperating with the campus Gaia Project to enhance information-sharing with faculty and staff, and has collaborated with academic departments on student projects and offering independent study opportunities.

"Education and spreading the word about the importance of energy savings — both from an environmental and a financial perspective — is really fundamental to the success of We Conserve," says Vakili, whose program is touted on familiar red-and-white signs across the campus.

Students, he says, are also key to the program’s success. Vakili says the program has developed close ties with several student groups and has established a We Conserve student chapter.

In addition, We Conserve co-sponsored the Midwest Clean Energy Conference, which attracted hundreds of students from other universities to Madison and is one of the sponsors of the campus ECO party, scheduled for Friday, May 2.

We Conserve has reached out to schools and colleges at the university to identify ways to reduce energy use and increase efficiency. In the community, the program has also participated in the city of Madison’s M-powering Madison campaign to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. More than 1,200 people have signed up for We Conserve’s "I Pledge" program, in which individuals pledge to make conservation a part of their daily lives by making simple changes in their daily routines.

"We’ve established a team spirit, one that will help make energy conservation a fundamental value here on campus," he says.