Energy

Yale University must meet the resource demands of a growing campus that encompasses over 23,000 people and over 400 buildings. To provide reliable and cost effective energy services, Yale owns and operates two power plants (Central Power Plant and Sterling Power Plant), implements energy efficiency measures and onsite renewable energy technologies, and engages the campus community in energy conservation efforts.

Yale’s power plants provide utility services to over 11 million square feet of facilities, which include research laboratories, academic buildings, administrative buildings, residential buildings, dining facilities and athletic facilities. To supplement its onsite generation, Yale also purchases electricity from United Illuminating Company (UI), the electric utility company serving the city of New Haven.

To learn more about energy production, renewable energy and alternative fuels, and energy efficiency at Yale, visit Energy At Yale.

Yale’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Commitment

Mitigating global climate change is recognized as one of the most pressing issues facing society today. Acknowledging its unique position to play a leadership role in addressing this global challenge, Yale University is committed to a greenhouse gas reduction target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Yale University has established a fifteen-year strategic plan to take responsibility for its emissions and will focus on reducing emissions through a combination of increasing the efficiency of on-campus energy production and distribution, energy conservation, on-site renewable energy resources, and sustainable standards for new construction and large renovations.

To learn more about Yale’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, visit Yale’s Greenhouse Gas Commitment.

How Can I Help?

There are a number of steps you can take in your daily life to reduce energy use. For example, you can open the shades and use natural light as often as possible rather than turning on the lights. You can also replace your incandescent lamps with compact florescent lamps, which use far less energy; one CFL can save more than 260 pounds of CO2 in just one year! Electronic appliances use a huge amount of energy – be sure to turn your computer off at night and set it to go to sleep automatically when you are not using it for long periods of time.

This is just the beginning! To learn more, visit Energy Conservation At Yale: What Can I Do?.