According to the Maryland Energy Administration, the state generates nearly 60 percent of its electricity from coal. Coal and other fossil fuels are major contributors to greenhouse gases and also have negative local environmental impacts where these resources are extracted. At UBalt, we use energy to heat and cool our buildings, but we are proactively working to reduce our greenhouse emissions and our energy bill at the same time.
Greenhouse Gas Inventory
To understand our impact and to measure progress, UBalt tracks our greenhouse gas emissions and we have a Climate Action Plan. UBalt has precise tracking of electricity, natural gas, and vehicle fleet usage. As a commuter institution, UBalt also generates considerable emissions from commuting. UBalt makes calculated assumptions to measure that impact as well. UBalt has been tracking gross emissions bi-annually using the Clean-Air Cool Planet Calculator. By tracking emissions, we are able to make cost effective targeted efficiency projects. We also know that when the UBalt community seeks to minimize energy resources we can be even more effective.
President's Climate Commitment
UBalt signed the American College & University President's Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007. This initiative "establishes sustainability as a norm to minimize greenhouse gas emissions while providing students with the knowledge and skills to address these critical challenges and to develop solutions to these developing challenges."
American Campuses Act on Climate
UBalt has also signed the the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge along with over 200 other colleges and universities to demonstrate their support for strong climate action by world leaders. The institutions signing the pledge are also already taking significant action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase campus sustainability and resilience, and incorporate environmental action into academic curriculum.
Energy Conservation Projects
UBalt entered into an Energy Performance Contract in 2009 to make cost and energy efficient upgrades to campus systems. The Angelos Law Center opened as a LEED Platinum building and has many top grade features. Additional projects include:
Cross campus
Tridium control panels
Academic Center
Two new air handlers in the six fan coil units in gymnasium
Angelos Law Center
Three Hydrotherm-KN30 condensing boilers
Two Daiken McQuay 300-ton high efficiency centrifugal chillers
LUTRON preprogrammed lighting control system
Four KONE gearless AC elevators
Two TRANE packaged air handler units
Forty glycol dry cooler Liebert units
Charles Royal
Five Mitsubishi VRF heat pumps (2013)
Lighting upgrade to T-% fluorescent light fixtures (2013)
H. Mebane Turner Learning Commons
One 160-ton multi-stack chiller
One 240-ton Baltimore Air Coil cooling tower
7,500 square feet Green Grid module green roof
Student Center
Light upgrade to T8 fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts
Restroom flush valves upgraded to low flow water closets, urinals, and faucets
Planned
Replace outdoor security lighting with energy-efficient LED lights