Energy consumption and carbon emissions are intimately related, and in most cases the largest energy bills come from those areas where the greatest emissions occur.
Services that ECS can provide to colleges include:

A.   Implementation of large-scale energy and water efficiency projects. The ECS team will work closely with college officials in identifying upwards of 30-50 efficiency measures to be undertaken in phases. Smaller renewable energy or cogeneration projects will be included in these measures where appropriate. Since energy consumption is responsible for 85-90% of most college’s GHG emissions, these projects will be at the heart of a school’s climate initiatives.

B.  An Initial energy saving behavioral program in combination with a highly cost effective building audit and retro-commissioning project (no cost/low cost energy efficiency measures installed in combination with building and equipment tune-ups). This is an excellent way to begin a highly visible campus climate program, engaging students and staff. It can reduce carbon emissions by 8-12% without substantial capital commitments.

C.  Development and launching of behavioral programs that can save substantial energy and water costs while involving students, faculty, staff and important constituency groups. Behavioral programs can create part-time jobs for students and staff, and build climate awareness that helps colleges become recognized climate leaders.

D.  Large-scale project development, including combined heat and power (CHP or cogeneration) and renewable energy facilities. ECS will work with colleges on the most cost effective and climate preferable options. Projects like these can reduce a school’s campus-wide emissions by 20-40+%, and it is possible to undertake them by signing power purchase agreements (PPAs) that require no capital commitments and can hedge electricity costs.

E.  High performance building installations, often in combination with LEED buildings, that are capable of reducing energy and water consumption 40-70% below normal building code standards. ECS can finance the energy and water infrastructure of high performance buildings, often amounting to 20-25% of their cost, to reduce capital needs for a college’s building construction budget.

F.  Assistance in tying cutting edge ECS energy/water/climate projects to college academics, student career interests, and energy and environment clubs.