The complex and multi-faceted needs of universities are driving innovation This facilitates the bidding process to get adoption projects underway. Consultants can help the institution get through the decision-making process in an informed way so they can more quickly lay out exactly what they need. As well, the use of third party consultants is becoming more commonplace since most universities don’t know exactly what they need when it comes to renewable energy. And the transition from old energy models to renewable energy involves complex projects that require much foresight and planning, which often gets bogged down in committee.īut many universities are beginning to move in the right direction - restructuring their administration to take energy needs into account with the creation of administrative positions such as Director of Sustainability or Director of Energy and Utilities. But the marketplace has changed and now schools have many options for meeting their energy needs. In the past, energy needs would simply be procured from the local utility company. The adoption of renewable energy is challenging for universities because it’s not like any procurement the administration is used to doing. Renewable energy sourcing is not something universities are used to doing
#MANYLAND EP 1 DRIVERS#
Listen to hear more drivers for the adoption of renewable energy at these institutions. As a result, many universities are entering into cooperative agreements with public sector organizations to bring the reality of renewable energy on campuses to life. They want to be seen as leaders in this innovative and future-oriented field. For this reason, cost is a significant driving factor for the adoption of renewables at universities.īut also, due to political pressure, more and more universities are making progressive pledges that put them at the forefront of the renewable energy stage. The levelized cost of large scale solar and wind power is now lower than that of fossil fuel-generated power - even with the historically low cost of natural gas that has resulted from Fracking.
What are the drivers for adoption of renewable energy in higher education?įor institutions of higher learning, as well as other large organizations, a choice no longer has to be made between environmental sustainability and fiscal sustainability. For example, many land grant institutions have the advantage of developing their own sources of renewable energy, while urban universities have less opportunity to do so. But other factors can make the adoption of renewable energy difficult. One advantage is that universities are long-standing institutions, which provides stability and inertia that can be leveraged toward multi-year contracts with renewable energy companies. But there are many variables that either support or hinder the adoption of renewable energy in these institutions.
#MANYLAND EP 1 HOW TO#
Most universities are strategizing around the use of renewable energy, both in terms of how to use more renewable energy for current needs, and how to increase the use of renewable energy through establishing their own sources of RE in the future. Is it possible for them to use renewable energy? University campuses are huge energy consumers.
Join these two renewable energy experts and host, John Failla of Smart Energy Decisions for this intriguing and insightful episode. He has spent the last 9 years in the solar industry after getting his education in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems, energy conversion, and renewable energy sources. Scott is Project Development Manager at REC Solar. His expertise is in renewable power systems integration, micro-grid management, energy efficiency, and sustainability.
Wolfgang is Associate Vice President for Administration at Michigan State University. This episode features two guests, Wolfgang Bauer and Scott Therian who are both uniquely positioned to speak on renewable energy sourcing and adoption as it relates to higher education. That combination makes them ideal laboratories for innovation and advancement in the field. Institutions of higher education are both massive consumers of energy and are in the business of learning and teaching. The use of renewable energy is becoming more and more common on campuses of higher education across the country - and it’s not surprising.
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