Publication Date
2015
Abstract
Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive emission reduction goals as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. Electricity use commonly accounts for 40 percent of a higher education institution’s emissions, and as such the purchase of renewable electricity is a common and effective means of reducing indirect (scope 2) emissions and achieving sustainability goals. To date, the vast majority of college and universities purchasing renewable electricity have been through short-term contracts (1 – 3 years) for utility products or renewable energy certificates (RECs). Only recently have a few leading institutions purchased renewable electricity from off-site projects via long-term (10+ years) power purchase agreements (PPAs).