| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.91 |
| Liaison | Julie Hopper |
| Submission Date | Dec. 20, 2023 |
University of Southern California
OP-5: Building Energy Efficiency
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.08 / 6.00 |
Zelinda
Welch Associate Director of Sustainability USC Facilities Plant Management |
Electricity use, performance year (report kilowatt-hours):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 215,547,746 Kilowatt-hours | 735,448.91 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 742,885 Kilowatt-hours | 2,534.72 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, performance year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 592,363 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 0 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, performance year:
Gross floor area of building space, performance year:
Floor area of energy intensive space, performance year:
| Floor area | |
| Laboratory space | 791,081 Square feet |
| Healthcare space | 44,563 Square feet |
| Other energy intensive space | 2,505 Square feet |
EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year:
Degree days, performance year:
| Degree days | |
| Heating degree days | 1,028 Degree-Days (°F) |
| Cooling degree days | 1,400 Degree-Days (°F) |
Total degree days, performance year:
Start and end dates of the performance year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Performance period | July 1, 2021 | July 30, 2022 |
Total site energy consumption per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area per degree day, performance year:
Electricity use, baseline year (report kWh):
| kWh | MMBtu | |
| Imported electricity | 219,969,648 Kilowatt-hours | 750,536.44 MMBtu |
| Electricity from on-site, non-combustion facilities/devices (e.g., renewable energy systems) | 0 Kilowatt-hours | 0 MMBtu |
Stationary fuels and thermal energy, baseline year (report MMBtu):
| MMBtu | |
| Stationary fuels used on-site to generate electricity and/or thermal energy | 475,782 MMBtu |
| Imported steam, hot water, and/or chilled water | 0 MMBtu |
Total site energy consumption, baseline year:
Gross floor area of building space, baseline year:
Start and end dates of the baseline year (or 3-year period):
| Start date | End date | |
| Baseline period | July 1, 2013 | June 30, 2014 |
A brief description of when and why the energy consumption baseline was adopted:
Energy baseline was adopted in order to align with the baseline used in the university's Sustainability 2020 Plan goals regarding greenhouse gas reduction.
Source-site ratio for imported electricity:
Total energy consumption per unit of floor area:
| Site energy | Source energy | |
| Performance year | 0.08 MMBtu per square foot | 0.17 MMBtu per square foot |
| Baseline year | 0.09 MMBtu per square foot | 0.21 MMBtu per square foot |
Percentage reduction in total source energy consumption per unit of floor area from baseline:
Documentation to support the performance year energy consumption figures reported above:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices in regard to energy efficiency:
In collaboration, USC Housing and Facilities Planning & Management (FPM) have sponsored dorm energy efficiency competitions. This has been a great way to educate students and boast participation in energy saving efforts. For several years USC has participated in LADWP's Demand Response program. In order to ensure successful participation, the Energy Services team proactively reaches out to building users to explain the process, participation, and its importance. Subject Matter Experts have presented at bi-annual sustainability forums to discuss ongoing projects and how students, staff and faculty play a role in energy efficiency efforts. Finally the team has created a public dashboard so that the community can actively understand the university's electricity usage in real time (https://buildingos.com/s/usc/portfolio/?chapterId=40473).
A brief description of energy use standards and controls employed by the institution:
USC has a robust set of controls that allow for a high level of management across almost 170 buildings. Honeywell EBI is used to manage set points and monitor temperatures.
USC’s centrally-managed climate control system ensures consistent energy monitoring and temperature control throughout every building connected to the system. In summer 2018, USC piloted a program that can schedule Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC) system shutdowns in classrooms when they are not in use, and test results exceeded expectations. The Events2HVAC scheduling software was purchased and now is in use at 18 buildings, 237 classrooms, and 40 air-handling units. Through this program, we’re registering energy savings at or above projected levels. In one month alone, this project saved more than 42,000 kWh. The program is projected to extend to an additional 259 classrooms.
A brief description of Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting and other energy-efficient lighting strategies employed by the institution:
Over the last three years FPM has launched an LED Retrofit Program across 29 buildings, retrofitting more than 33,000 fixtures. These retrofits are expected to save >6M kWh a year and thus the projects are an important element to achieving USC's Assignment: Earth goals.
A brief description of passive solar heating, geothermal systems, and related strategies employed by the institution:
NA
A brief description of co-generation employed by the institution:
NA
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace energy-consuming appliances, equipment, and systems with high efficiency alternatives:
Procurement department promotes purchasing green technologies.
Education on green options:
https://sites.usc.edu/procurement/purchases/sustainable-purchasing/green-certifications/
Sample wording from procurement catalogue:
"Electronics CDW-G- CDW-G’s catalog offers a wide variety of electronics and computer-related products, many of which carry various green certifications. When searching for and reviewing products, look for Environmental Standards on the Technical Specs tab of the product page.
Dell Computers- Dell offers products that carry green certifications. For instructions on how to identify green certifications for a specific product, go to the Dell Computers page."
Website URL where information about the institution’s energy conservation and efficiency program is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
USC has continued to drive forward the Energy Audit and Retro-commissioning program that aligns with City of LA's EBEWE program. In total approximately 150 buildings will be completed every 5 years. Over the last three years, approximately four audits and RCx reports have been completed a year. The effort also includes pursuing Energy Star Certification. The university now has 8 Energy Star certified buildings CEN, FMT, HIL, SIE, TSA, TAP, TRE/TRH, and FSA.
Energy data are based on FY22
USC has continued to drive forward the Energy Audit and Retro-commissioning program that aligns with City of LA's EBEWE program. In total approximately 150 buildings will be completed every 5 years. Over the last three years, approximately four audits and RCx reports have been completed a year. The effort also includes pursuing Energy Star Certification. The university now has 8 Energy Star certified buildings CEN, FMT, HIL, SIE, TSA, TAP, TRE/TRH, and FSA.
Energy data are based on FY22
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.