University of Pittsburgh
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency

Fiscal Year 2014 has been selected as the baseline for submission. This was the time period of focus for the University's THIRD Greenhouse Gas inventory, but has been selected as a baseline year here because the data set is more accurate than that used for the 2008 & 2011 GHG baseline inventory for the University's entire GHG footprint.

Published in March 2022, the first ever Pitt Climate Action Plan (PittCAP) for the University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh campus presents our strategy, approach, and details to achieve carbon neutrality by 2037, the 250th anniversary of our founding. We have worked to ensure that our carbon neutrality strategy fulfills our full sustainability aspirations of reaching toward environmental solutions while balancing and addressing our academic mission, pursuing equitable outcomes, and helping create economic resilience for our University and communities.

The 2018 Pitt Sustainability Plan set Pitt’s first campus-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal -- a 50% reduction in GHGs below 2008 levels by 2030; this remains an important milestone in our larger journey toward carbon neutrality by 2037.

Combined, both documents detail energy efficiency efforts as follows:

To combat the serious threat of climate change, we aim to dramatically reduce energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

• CARBON - Reach carbon neutrality by 2037 for the Pittsburgh campus, with an incremental goal of reducing greenhouse emissions 50% by 2030 (from our 2008 baseline).
• EFFICIENCY - Embrace Pittsburgh 2030 District goals of 50% reduction in energy use intensity (consumption per square foot) by 2030 (below 2003 national median baseline).
• STANDARDS - Establish design standards and operational practices to achieve energy use reduction goals. (Complete)
• RENEWABLES - Produce or procure 50% of the University’s electricity from renewable resources by 2030 and 100% by 2037.
• PITTCAP ENERGY DEMAND REDUCTIONS - Efficiency and conservation should always come first; these energy demand reductions include three basic GHG mitigation strategies: 1) Space Use Optimization, 2) Existing Building Efficiency, and 3) New Building Performance. Together, these three approaches offer the opportunity to avoid 27,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MT CO2e) – or 11.5% of our path toward carbon neutrality by 2037.

INDIVIDUAL ACTION RESOURCES:
• Pitt Climate Action Plan page focused on how individuals can help on campus; at home; by building their power; and by reducing, reusing, & recycling - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/commitments-reports/pitt-climate-action-plan/how-you-can-help/
• Pitt EcoReps are student interns committed to making life in residence halls more sustainable. They work with members of the Pitt community to integrate sustainability into the culture of our residence halls by reducing energy and water use, increasing recycling and composting, and advancing other sustainability initiatives - https://www.instagram.com/pittecoreps/?hl=en
• Pitt Energy Use Intensity Dashboard – Select “Building Energy Use Intensity” https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/dashboard/
• Pitt’s 2018-22 Progress on Energy & Emissions - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/progress-report/energy-emissions-2018-22/
• Pitt’s overall Energy & Emissions approach - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/campus-culture/facilities/energy-emissions/
• Pitt Climate Action Plan - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/commitments-reports/pitt-climate-action-plan/

In 2014, the University became a founding Property Partner of the Pittsburgh 2030 District, publicly committing to the international 2030 Challenge reduction targets of 50% reductions in (EUI, energy consumption in kBTU per square foot) by 2030 (below national baselines); these efforts have included establishing and continuing to update the design standards and operational practices to achieve these goals.

As delineated in the Pitt Climate Action Plan, through continued investment in and focus on energy efficiency and conservation measures in our existing buildings, Pitt’s Facilities and Housing teams have enabled the University to surpass its 2030 goals since 2016, achieving a campus-wide reduction in energy use intensity of 29% below its baseline for FY23. Though pandemic-influenced, in 2020 and 2021, Pitt achieved its lowest site EUI since data tracking began in 2008 (remaining on schedule to reach the 50% reduction target).

Beyond standard and innovative internal standards, guidelines, practices, and technologies, Pitt has been working to implement a suite of efficiency efforts in buildings across the Pittsburgh campus (previously prioritized in the 2017 Pitt Campus Energy Plan by impact, need, and financial payback).

2018-22 Pitt Energy & Emissions Progress - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/progress-report/energy-emissions-2018-22/

PITT ENERGY CENTER

Pitt’s Energy Center is a central hub that connects to over 900,000 control and monitoring points across 2.5 million square feet of space on the Pittsburgh campus. Staff are able to continuously analyze utilities usage, make adjustments to further strengthen efficiency, and identify potential issues 24/7—supporting the University’s sustainability and facilities management goals.

Learn more: https://www.svcoperations.pitt.edu/news/pitt-s-energy-center-revolutionizes-energy-efficiency

NEW CONSTRUCTION & MAJOR RENOVATIONS

Pitt’s energy use tracking across campus and by building includes both existing buildings, new buildings, and major renovations. All energy projects are covered by the University’s Design Manual, including Division C (Sustainability, Products, & Materials), Division J (Mechanical) and Division K (Electrical): https://www.pdc.pitt.edu/services

Additionally, all Pitt new construction and major renovation projects have EUI targets set at the very beginning that align with the University’s 2030 Challenge targets.

ENERGY USE REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Energy use reduction strategies have included, but are certainly not limited to:

• SYSTEMATIC UPGRADES – Systematic energy and water upgrades completed or in process in 20+ campus buildings since 2018.
• METERING - Automated meters for electricity, steam, and chilled water. Implemented and growing continuous commissioning effort.
• SENSORS - Occupancy sensors are installed in many areas to turn off lights when the space is not in use. Pitt's building automation system controls space temperatures in accordance with occupancy schedules.
• DISTRICT CHILLED WATER - Created an upper campus chilled water plant to replace three stand-alone, inefficient chillers. Upgrading lower campus chilled water facility.
• VERTICAL MOBILITY - Upgraded 71 campus elevators to achieve significant electrical savings along with better elevator service and accessibility
• LABORATORIES - Are equipped with energy saving heat-recovery systems wherever possible and are encouraged to join the Pitt Green Lab effort, including the Shut Your Sash awareness program.
• LIGHTING CONTROLS - University lighting control standards require:
>> Vacancy sensors to be used to control lighting in all spaces where occupants may want lights off when unoccupied (e.g., offices, classrooms, and labs);
>> Occupancy sensors in all spaces where lights must be on when occupied (e.g., restrooms and corridors);
>> Photocells or time clocks to control all outdoor lighting; and
>> Even emergency lighting is required to be automatically shut off when spaces are unoccupied (generator transfer devices are used to automatically turn emergency lights on when normal power is lost).

In addition to standard normal annual energy and water conservation and efficiency projects, the University has contracted with The Efficiency Network (TEN) to advance more energy and water upgrades since 2018. Starting in 2018, TEN has audited or performed work in over 37 campus buildings, with more buildings in the queue. This effort is part of a multi-year Pitt Facilities Management energy efficiency upgrade project that includes upgrading LED lighting in 23 buildings between 2018 and 2023. LED retrofits in another 7 buildings are currently in progress or pending construction.

The University’s lighting standards are covered in detail in the Pitt’s Planning, Design, & Construction Design Manual, Division K (Electrical): https://www.pdc.pitt.edu/services

Given Pitt's performance-based approach to building energy use, a variety of strategies are used in new construction, including passive solar design when possible.

The University does not currently have any geothermal systems on-campus.

Neither of the 2 district steam plants cooperatively owned by Pitt are currently co-generation facilities.

In this regard, Pitt is partnered with the City of Pittsburgh, Green Building Alliance, and the other institutional owners of our district steam systems in developing an Oakland Energy Master Plan. In Phase 2 in 2023, this strategy is fully considering the opportunity for these systems to support continued GHG emissions reduction, improve environmental quality, and increase resiliency.

In 2020 the University of Pittsburgh received a $2,600 Second Nature Climate Solutions Acceleration Fund grant that supported Phase 1 of the Oakland Energy Master Plan.

Learn More: https://www.pittwire.pitt.edu/accolades/climate-solutions-grant-will-aid-oakland-energy-master-plan

The University of Pittsburgh's 2017 Energy Master Plan and Energy Conservation Plan identified Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) across the University, which began shortly thereafter and continues on.

In addition to standard normal annual energy and water conservation and efficiency projects, the University has contracted with The Efficiency Network (TEN) to advance more energy and water upgrades since 2018.

Starting in 2018, TEN has audited or performed work in over 37 campus buildings, with more buildings in the queue. This effort is part of a multi-year Pitt Facilities Management energy efficiency upgrade project that includes upgrading systems projects in 13 buildings between 2018 and 2023. Equipment and system upgrades in 22+ buildings have been assessed and pending construction.

As part of the Pitt Climate Action Plan, additional efficiency opportunities are being identified and deployed campus-wide.

FY23 data above
• Stationary fuels = natural gas only.
• Both on-campus AND off-campus steam AND on-campus chilled water are reported in "imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water" category
• Electricity verified by Facilities in January 2024; includes FY23 tally from FM internal PowerBI dashboard, plus for additional properties in GHG inventory boundary (Joncaire Lot, Lower & Upper Campus Chilled Water Plants, and Plum Borough Research Facility)

• EPA’ Source-Site ratio for U.S. electricity is 2.8 - https://portfoliomanager.energystar.gov/pdf/reference/Source%20Energy.pdf

• Pitt Energy & Emissions: https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/campus-culture/facilities/energy-emissions/
• Pitt Green Buildings- https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/campus-culture/facilities/buildings/
• Facilities Sustainability @ Pitt - https://www.fm.pitt.edu/sustainability
• Pitt Climate Action Plan - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/commitments-reports/pitt-climate-action-plan/
• Pitt Climate Action Plan “How You Can Help” page - https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/commitments-reports/pitt-climate-action-plan/how-you-can-help/
• Pitt Energy Use Intensity Dashboard – Select “Building Energy Use Intensity” https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/dashboard/
• Pitt’s 2018-22 Progress on Energy & Emissions: : https://www.sustainable.pitt.edu/progress-report/energy-emissions-2018-22/
• Pitt EcoReps - https://www.instagram.com/pittecoreps/?hl=en