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Climate & Energy

a speaker holds her hands up mid-speech at at a podium. Behind her is a sign that reads "Climate Week at Penn"

An ambitious yet achievable climate goal is on the horizon.  Penn is committed to campus carbon neutrality by 2042, a commitment in the CSAP. Campus initiatives to address climate change and energy efficiency put these audacious goals within our reach. Our actions today have real, tangible results for the future. 

Climate & Energy

An ambitious yet achievable climate goal is on the horizon.  Penn is committed to campus carbon neutrality by 2042, a commitment in the CSAP. Campus initiatives to address climate change and energy efficiency put these audacious goals within our reach. Our actions today have real, tangible results for the future. 

a speaker holds her hands up mid-speech at at a podium. Behind her is a sign that reads "Climate Week at Penn"

Renewable fuel sources and a long-standing focus on energy efficiency make our climate and energy goals attainable. Decarbonizing Penn’s campus isn’t the only benefit of renewable fuel sources. Avoiding energy consumption means we can reallocate funds saved. 

Penn’s successful energy management is due to strategic programs and initiatives, such as optimizing building designs and operations and empowering occupants to minimize energy consumption. Other strategies include the Century Bond Program, building recommissioning, and the Green Labs program.

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Our Progress

45%
Reduction in campus greenhouse gas emissions in the fiscal year 2022.
31%
Average reduction in building energy consumption achieved through Century Bond projects.
45%
Reduction in building-related emissions in the fiscal year 2022.
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Programs

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aerial view of a field of solar panels
gloved hands are pulling a rack of lab containers from a freezer
An aerial view of Huntsman building
man in orange shirt at desk with many computer monitors

Operations Command Center

Penn saves over $5 million annually by using cutting-edge technology to monitor and control energy usage. The Operations Command Center is a hub of activity where engineers manage the campus's chilled water and steam utilities, along with air-handling systems in the buildings. Using advanced techniques like temperature optimization and demand management, Penn avoids expensive peak charges and conserves energy all year long.

The entryway and doors of a building are shown. A woman holding a soft drink is walking by the pathway leading to the doors.

Recommissioning Program

As a lower cost and risk path to better energy efficiencies, building recommissioning is an easy win for Penn’s campus. Tune-ups ensure buildings are calibrated, programmed, functionally tested, and operated in conformance with the building design. Thanks to the recommissioning program, Penn’s identified additional common Energy Saving Opportunities (ESO) across campus. 

lights from the chiller plant make the structure bright on a cloudy evening

Chilled Water Loop

Below Penn, you will find a vast network of pipes ferrying chilled water to campus buildings. This feat of engineering is possible thanks to our chiller plants, a maze-like system of chillers, pipes, and cooling towers. The chiller plants freeze water at night while energy costs are low, then cool buildings during the day when consumption is high, reducing Penn’s burden on the regional electrical grid. 

An aerial view of campus

Energy Management

Penn’s vision is for a campus that works towards  actively improving the quality of life and the environment for our people. To do so, we champion environmentally sensitive, innovative, and thoughtful design. 

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Top 4 Ways Penn is Cutting On-Campus Carbon Emissions

Learn how our 24/7 Utilities & Operations actions move us closer towards our carbon neutrality goal.

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“Combating climate change is a top priority at Penn. Combining research, educational, operational, and investment initiatives, we are bringing every aspect of our enterprise together to help secure a more sustainable future for our community and the world.”

Liz Magill, Penn President
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