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Office of Sustainability
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Energy

Temple's new approach to energy sources and energy efficiency is inherent to the success of our climate commitment. 

Temple has identified a clear path to carbon neutrality through investment in energy efficiency projects, a renewable energy purchasing strategy, and offsets. While Temple continues to grow its building footprint, advances in sustainable design, smart building technology, efficient operations, and clean energy sources enable the university to achieve its mission and strategic goals while still meeting its climate commitment. 

Learn more about our goals and the progress we've made.

Energy Goals and Progress

Reduce energy use in existing building stock by 18% in a typical climatic year by 2030.

IN PROGRESS: Temple has reduced energy use in existing building stock by 5% since a FY 2017 baseline.

Continue to invest in energy efficiency projects, starting in 2020 through the allocation of initial seed funds. Completion of additional projects will be contingent on verified savings.

IN PROGRESS: Energy efficiency projects have been identified and will be funded by the Green Revolving Fund.

Create a Green Revolving Fund by 2018 to direct the actual energy cost savings into additional energy projects.

IN PROGRESS: The Green Revolving Fund has been created and rebates from energy efficiency projects have been deposited to the fund. Once projects have been completed and energy savings have been verified, utility savings will be deposited to the Green Revolving Fund.

Adopt mechanical, electrical and architectural standards for renovation and new building projects which limit dependency on fossil fuels and promote established sustainable practices by 2020.

ACHIEVED: ASHRAE 90.1 - 2019 is Temple University’s mechanical and electrical standard. LEED Silver certification or the equivalent is Temple University’s architectural standard for new construction and major renovations. Both ASHRAE and LEED promote established sustainable practices which limit dependency on fossil fuels.

Create requirements for the designers of projects of a certain size to collaborate with the energy team to incorporate energy implications in design decisions by the end of 2018.

ACHIEVED: All major construction and renovation projects require input and approval from the energy team.

Sign another Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by end of 2021.

 IN PROGRESS: Temple University released a Request for Proposals from renewable energy developers in 2019.  This project has been temporarily put on hold due to market uncertainty.

Develop at least 100+ kW of renewable energy systems at Temple’s facilities by 2022.

IN PROGRESS: Temple University has identified potential locations for small scale renewable projects. Further evaluation and approval is needed.