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.
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.
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.
Our Progress
Programs
Power Purchase Agreement
Solar energy boosts us toward our 100% carbon-neutral campus 2042 goal. At 220 megawatts, it’s a big deal, literally. The scale of our solar power project ranks us at the top of the solar and wind installations implemented by our Ivy League university peers.
Green Labs Program
Climate work happens in Penn’s labs. Through our Green Labs program, Penn lab staff can adopt safe and sustainable practices that minimize energy, water and waste consumption. Lab staff, as leaders in this initiative, are empowered to execute the Green Labs Guide’s daily, monthly, and annual actions.
Century Bond Program
The Century Bond Program has accelerated building renovation programs all across Penn’s campus. Backed by a $200 million bond, lighting upgrades, and deep energy retrofits have resulted in a massive energy reduction. The funds procured from the energy savings are used to pay back the bond interest, making the Century Bond both environmentally and financially sustainable.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Resources
Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 4.0 (CSAP 4.0) FY25-29
Penn's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan with information on actions to achieve the University's goals for FY2025 to 2029.
Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0 (CSAP 3.0) FY20-24 Summary Report
Penn Commuter Survey 2023 Report
Report from survey conducted in Spring 2023 of staff and faculty commuting habits and preferences at the University of Pennsylvania.
Partners
Learn more about the partners who are championing Penn’s climate and energy efforts.
“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.”
Link field url: #news
