Willamette University

Energy Consulting Energy Modeling

Education
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Project By

ECOFYS


About the project

Universities and colleges are increasingly focused on the issue campus sustainability. In the United States, many have signed the President’s Climate Commitment agreement, pledging to be climate neutral by 2050. Willamette University, a large academic institution located in Salem, Oregon, is one example. In 2012, Ecofys was contracted by Willamette University to develop a long-range sustainable energy strategy. The goal of the project is to provide a comprehensive campus-wide energy vision that can guide the university towards its ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets. The work involved a detailed assessment of the stakeholder landscape and building-level energy consumption, as well as validation of the university’s carbon footprint. Ecofys used this information to develop a site-specific set of criteria for rating campus sustainability projects that is based on a combination of cost-effectiveness, regional policy, and stakeholder values. The framework was applied by Ecofys to assess various sustainability projects throughout the campus including building-integrated renewable energy technology, advanced energy efficiency measures, procurement of carbon offsets, and campus-wide behavioral campaigns. The result is a set of no-regret actions Ecofys advises the university pursue in order to move towards its goal of climate neutrality. Ecofys continues to work with Willamette University. Most recently, Ecofys compiled a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory for the campus, and developed educational resources that will enable the university to efficiently complete the process on its own moving forward.