With an average annual energy bill of $83 million, UNC requires a significant amount of energy to power campus operations. The university's award-winning co-generation facility produces one-fourth of the electricity and all of the steam used on campus. Led by student initiatives, the university has also begun to generate renewable energy on campus.
Passed in 2007, NC Senate Bill 668 calls for 30% energy savings in new state buildings and 20% energy savings in renovation projects, relative to ASHRAE 90.1-2004 building standards. In existing buildings, energy use is to be reduced 20% by 2010 and 30% by 2015 relative to a 2003 baseline. To meet these requirements, university design guidelines have been modified to require energy modeling and commissioning on all new buildings and periodic funding is provided for retrofitting existing buildings. Progress toward reaching energy reduction goals is detailed in the yearly Strategic Energy and Water Plan.
Use the following resources to learn more about energy at UNC.