Energy Conservation

In our modern society energy is essential for everyday living. Unfortunately, excessive and wasteful energy use is damaging our environment and forcing business and organizations such as Stanford to incur unnecessary costs.

Student Housing at Stanford University is currently undertaking a number of projects to reduce energy consumption. These include installation of motion-sensor light switches, compact fluorescent lighting, energy efficient laundry equipment, heating controls in individual student rooms, and even a photovoltaic system on the roof of one of the student residences. The goal of these projects is to conserve energy and water throughout campus residences. In addition, Student Housing encourages energy conservation through conservation awareness campaigns and contact with student groups.

Stanford Energy

Q: Where does Stanford get its power?

A: Stanford University has its own on-site power generation plant. The Central Energy Facility is a combined cycle cogeneration system. The primary power generation is a 39.2 MW generator powered by a natural gas turbine. A waste Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) and a steam turbine drive an additional 10.7 MW generator. The waste heat from the gas turbine is used to generate steam for the steam turbine, thus the facility employs a combined cycle cogeneration system. Stanford uses about half of the power generated at the facility and the remainder is sold to PG&E. For more details, visit the Stanford Energy Management Group.

Q: How much is spent on power?

A: Student Housing spends approximately $3 million on electricity each academic year. Even though we are a campus department we still must pay for the cost of energy we use. An additional ~$2 million is spent on natural gas and steam that is used for heating and hot water.

Q: How is the campus air-conditioned?

A: Air conditioning tends to be a relatively expensive electricity drain on any system. In order to minimize this electricity drain Stanford has an "Ice Plant" that builds and stores ice during the night in order to provide campus air conditioning the following day. This concept allows Stanford to take advantage of inexpensive nighttime electrical rates, and avoid expensive daytime electrical demand charges. Stanford's current peak electrical demand is 25 megawatts. Ice storage technology saves Stanford about 8 megawatts of peak electrical demand and 5 megawatts of average summer daytime load over a conventional cooling system. This translates to cost savings of about $500,000 each year. Campus residences are generally not air conditioned, as most students already know.

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Q: What can I do to conserve energy?
A: Follow the suggestions on our conservation checklist so you can be an energy conservation super star!

For More Information

Stanford-Related Sites:

Stanford Facilities Operations Homepage

Stanford Facilities Energy and Water Conservation Homepage

Stanford University Energy Management Group

Stanford Transportation Services

Resources Outside of Stanford:

EREN: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, US Dept. of Energy

SDIC: Sustainable Development International Corp.

EarthDay Network

Energy Star, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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