Rice's Energy Crisis: The Quest for Light...
Sarah Rutledge
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: News
Using technology developed at Rice, FE&P headquarters can now see their expected energy usage - the baseline - for a given day based on the weather conditions outside. If the building is operating below the expected energy levels, the energy management system will compile the data to see how much energy is being saved. Johnson said FE&P plans to install this tool in multiple buildings across campus to give students, faculty and staff a real-time demonstration of energy conservation.
"If you give people real-time feedback, that's more powerful than just saying, 'Turn off your lights,'" Johnson said.
Energy-saving features will be present in the new Duncan and McMurtry Colleges, which are scheduled to open next fall. Thermostats will automatically turn off when windows are opened, and the building will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
Housing Operations Manager Mark Chaszar said housing and dining costs, which rose $200 from last year's $3, 375, typically rise due to inflation and utility costs. He said students will not be expected to contribute $4 million in rent to make up the energy costs, though he said determining where that money will come from is a topic of discussion for next year's budget.
"If you give people real-time feedback, that's more powerful than just saying, 'Turn off your lights,'" Johnson said.
Energy-saving features will be present in the new Duncan and McMurtry Colleges, which are scheduled to open next fall. Thermostats will automatically turn off when windows are opened, and the building will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified.
Housing Operations Manager Mark Chaszar said housing and dining costs, which rose $200 from last year's $3, 375, typically rise due to inflation and utility costs. He said students will not be expected to contribute $4 million in rent to make up the energy costs, though he said determining where that money will come from is a topic of discussion for next year's budget.
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