Energy Projects

Completed:

After learning of the fire hazards as well as high energy cost of halogen lamps, the RWG worked with Residential Life to ban torchiere-style halogen lamps on campus effective as of fall term 1997. At the same time, the RWG discussed the fact that we should increase our ceiling lighting in residence halls, and Residential Life implemented this for fall 1997. A team from Facilities Operations and Management, Residential Life, and Procurement Services also worked on lamp replacement issues.

The Facilities Planning Office actively planned this new facility with both energy conservation and building performance issues as a key priority. The process was able to achieve: a carefully designed and constructed building envelope comprised of wall, window, door and roof systems that are extremely energy efficient; a heating and ventilation system designed to respond incrementally to heating and ventilation needs based on building occupancy; exterior cladding materials made from certified wood products; a timber structural frame made in part from certified wood grown on Dartmouth College property; and new wood furniture throughout the dining areas made from certified wood grown on Dartmouth College property.

1,000 light-switch stickers urging people to turn off unused lights have been installed. The stickers are part of a larger energy conservation campaign, which is still being designed. The effectiveness of these stickers is being gauged, and more stickers will go up if they are deemed to be helpful.

In 2003 Dartmouth officially became a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program.

The Coca-Cola company is replacing all their vending machines with energy efficient models.

Facilities Operations & Management routinely does studies of Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) for the campus. These studies identify a number of projects on campus that have energy saving potential resulting in paybacks. Facilities Operations & Management works with the Treasurer's office to secure funding for all ECMs that have reasonable paybacks of10 to 12 years or less.

The RWG is working with Computing Services to develop guidelines for the campus on turning off computers and conserving energy, particularly overnight, on weekends, and on vacations. In 1997, a Dartmouth Recycles intern, Lee Bronsnick '99, coordinated a mailing to departmental administrators urging them to turn off computers, monitors and printers. In addition, administrators were encouraged to use the energy savings functions (sleep or shut-down modes) that come with their computer systems. Beginning with the Class of '03, Computing Services includes in its pre-formatted computer systems sold to incoming students a default start-up screen that promotes energy conservation and reminds students to shut down computers when not in use. The Computing Department is also working on a screensaver that will be distributed during the campus conversion to Windows urging computer turn-off when not is use and the inclusion of energy-saving information in the conversion training sessions. Plans also call for a script that will turn off Windows computers after backups. Effective communication on how to conserve energy when using computing equipment will be an ongoing process.

For some time Dartmouth has committed itself to performing energy audits of all new buildings. This began with the Moore psychology building. Dartmouth also has worked with environmental consultant, Mark Rosenbaum, on a number of projects, to include more environmental consciousness in design. These included the new Skiway lodge, Whittemore Hall, and McCulloch Hall. In the fall of 2000, Dartmouth committed itself to being even more proactive in this area by pledging to follow LEED standards and by employing an energy/sustainability consultant with each building project. This will begin with all new buildings, starting with new residential facilities. Facilities Operations and Management has also created a student intern position to analyze energy data and suggest areas for potential savings.

The RWG worked with student interns to implement an energy savings campaign "Save Power and Receive Cash" (SPARC) in the residence halls. SPARC is run with students, through the Office of Residential Life and rewards student residence halls for success in conserving energy. This campaign could be extended to the rest of the campus.

Facilities Operations & Management and Procurement Services are collaborating on how to better use and organize the Dartmouth fleet of rental vehicles, vans, etc. The Tucker Foundation cars have been added to the fleet in order to enhance efficiency by better using the cars during term breaks. A Transportation Demand Management system has been implemented. It provides a cash incentive to people who live more than .75 miles from campus and surrender their parking permits. Dartmouth contributes to the financing of the Upper Valley's fare-free Advance Transit bus system. Two hybrid cars have been incorporated into the Dartmouth fleet.