Overview
Western Michigan University has long prioritized reducing energy consumption, creating a dedicated revolving fund for improving energy efficiency in 1980 and installing our building automation system in 1988. Our energy management program allows us to reduce costs from utility sources by consuming less electricity, steam, and natural gas. Energy management contributes to reducing the University’s carbon emissions and demonstrates WMU’s dedication to leading by example in sustainable practices.
Mission and Goals
Facilities Management is dedicated to responsibly managing the University’s facility assets by providing excellence in planning, engineering, design, construction and operations. Energy management is conducted by the Engineering Division, which aims to provide a comfortable environment for the campus community, within University policies, as energy efficiently as possible.
Program
Strategic Plan
WMU’s energy management program is guided by the Energy Management Strategic Plan. It provides a set of initiatives for facility operations to implement to advance and support the University’s climate, energy and sustainability goals. The plan is updated annually, to align with best practices, as well as other university plans and reports, such as the University strategic plan, campus master plan, and climate action plan. It consists of five broad objectives, each of which is supported by related goals and strategies:
- Understand how and where energy is used on campus.
- Set energy and sustainability goals for new construction and major renovations.
- Continually improve the efficiency of campus heating and cooling systems.
- Increase the amount of renewable energy generated on campus.
- Engage campus stakeholders to reduce energy consumption.
Software Tools
Facilities Management uses a suite of software tools to support our energy management program.
BAS
We use a building automation system (BAS) to monitor and manage all the different systems and equipment working across campus to keep our buildings comfortable and energy-efficient. The BAS is like the brain of our HVAC system – constantly monitoring live data and adjusting settings accordingly to reduce energy waste and lower utility costs.
winPM
We use a power monitoring system (PMS) to monitor the campus’s electrical grid. Hundreds of meters collect data and send it to our central server, which we can query and analyze to identify patterns and trends that tell us where there might be problems or opportunities to save energy.
Clockworks Analytics
We use a tool called Clockworks Analytics for fault detection and diagnostics. Clockworks hooks into our BAS, and it monitors building energy equipment. When it detects a fault, it ranks the problem on three metrics – energy, comfort, and maintenance. The system generates a task, so we can quickly address the issue and return the building to its normal operation – saving money and energy while also keeping our buildings as comfortable as possible.
EnergyCAP
We use a tool called EnergyCAP to track, manage, and analyze our energy consumption and expenses. EnergyCAP allows us to centralize data on all the resources buildings on campus consume – electricity, steam, natural gas, water, and sewer – so we can track our energy performance over time, including the effectiveness of energy efficiency projects.
Energy STAR Portfolio Manager
We report our energy consumption through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, a free online tool developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It allows us to benchmark our buildings’ performance against other, similar buildings across the country. Through Portfolio Manager, we share our building performance data with the West Michigan chapter of the US Green Building Council, where we compete against other organizations within the state each year to see who is the “biggest loser” and reduced their energy consumption the most.
Green Revolving Fund
Western Michigan University established its green revolving fund in 1980, making it the first college or university in the United States to establish such a fund. In 2011, WMU strengthened its green revolving fund by joining the Billion Dollar Green Challenge and injecting an additional $1 million. The Green Revolving Fund is a key tool in supporting and advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on campus.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Consumers Energy
WMU participates in Consumers Energy’s Business Energy Efficiency program. Facilities Management staff meet regularly with energy advisors at Consumers to share details of ongoing projects and determine for which rebates our energy conservation measures qualify.
The City of Kalamazoo
WMU is connected to the City of Kalamazoo’s water and sewer system. Facilities Management coordinates with the city to receive bills and usage data monthly, as well as to maintain the many city-owned water and sewer meters spread throughout campus.
Office for Sustainability
Facilities Management works closely with the Office for Sustainability. The Executive Director of the Office for Sustainability, along with designees from the Western Student Association and Graduate Student Association, sits on the steering committee for the Green Revolving Fund, providing input to guide our investment in energy efficiency and clean energy. Our Energy Administration Specialist participates in the WMU Climate Action Planning Committee, contributing to developing Western’s new climate action plan and implementing it to reach campus-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.
Beam Power Plant
The Engineering Division and Power Plant are two sides of the energy coin here at WMU – the Power Plant generates steam and electricity as efficiently as possible, and the Engineering Division works to ensure that the buildings on campus use those resources as efficiently as possible. We work together closely to determine utility rates and monitor the energy flow from the plant throughout campus.
History
- In 2008, WMU signed onto the Talloires Declaration, committing the University to incorporate sustainability and environmental literacy into teaching, research, operations and outreach on campus.
- In 2009, WMU signed onto the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, committing to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations and promoting research efforts that aid in addressing climate change.
- In 2012, WMU developed and released its first climate action plan, setting a target date for carbon neutrality in 2065 and charting a path toward that goal.
- In 2022, the State of Michigan released the MI Healthy Climate Plan, committing the state to reaching economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050, with interim targets of 28% emissions reductions by 2025 and 52% by 2030, relative to a 2005 baseline.
- In WMU’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2032, the University strengthened its commitment to climate action, moving its target carbon neutrality date from 2065 to 2050, in alignment with the timeline set forth by the State of Michigan.
- WMU’s energy management program represents just one portion of the University’s approach to sustainable operations, primarily focused on reducing demand for energy and improving the efficiency of buildings on campus.
Success Stories
Power Plant
Between 1990 and 2023, there has been a notable decline in CO2 emissions from the Beam Power Plant. From a peak of 150,958 metric tons in 1990, emissions have dropped significantly to 68,245 metric tons by 2023. From 1990 to 2005, there was a remarkable 47.6% decrease in emissions, primarily due to a shift in fuel from coal to natural gas and cogeneration. Following this, from 2005 to 2020, emissions further decreased by 20.2%, largely influenced by efficiency improvements. Additionally, we meet half of the campus's steam requirements through waste heat recovery methods.
Renewable Energy
- Consumers Energy operates a Solar Garden located on the WMU Parkview campus, generating 1 MW of power through 3,900 panels spread across 8.5 acres. Initially built in 2016, a battery storage system was incorporated in 2018 to keep energy output consistent, regardless of weather. Read more from the MLive article.
- The solar installation at Miller Auditorium, owned and operated by WMU, consists of 216 panels producing 50 kW and includes electric vehicle chargers, established in February 2012.
- On top of Sangren Hall, a larger solar array was constructed in June 2013, boasting 975 panels producing 232 kW.
- As part of the recent retrofit and addition, the Aviation Education Center at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport now hosts a 5 kW solar array. The building was designed to achieve zero net energy if more solar is added in the future, as part of a Consumers Energy pilot program.
- Heritage Hall was converted from the old East Hall in 2012 – by adding geothermal wells and renovating the building, we achieved a LEED Platinum certification. Geothermal energy also powers the Zhang Legacy Collections Center on the East Campus.
Buildings
Twenty buildings, making up 1,400,692 square feet, are certified as LEED Silver or better, and four more buildings (371,800 square feet) are under review for certification. Every new building at WMU is designed to be at least LEED Silver, if not better, since 2009, in addition to being at least 30% more energy efficient than the ASHRAE 90.1-2013 standard.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Since the initial installation of four chargers in 2011, the number of chargers on campus has fluctuated. In 2014, there were up to 22 chargers available. By 2021, wear and tear caused the number to drop to 14 functional chargers. Recognizing the ongoing and growing need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, WMU invested in upgrading and connecting 20 EV chargers in May 2022. Looking to the future, plans are underway to install 11 additional EV chargers in the new parking structure being constructed in the summer of 2024.
Get Involved
Are you passionate about sustainability and eager to make a positive impact on Western’s campus?
Join us in our energy management efforts! As a valued member of our community, your involvement can help reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs, and minimize our carbon footprint. By participating in initiatives such as implementing energy-efficient practices and raising awareness about energy conservation, you can contribute to making our campus more environmentally sustainable. Together, we can work towards a greener future for WMU and inspire others to do the same.
Check out the many initiatives going on in the Office for Sustainability or suggest a project to make campus more energy efficient!