Alternative Fuels

Building Energy Reduction

In response to the increased awareness of energy, water and general environmental impacts of buildings on the UGA campus and society at large, a continuing program is in place for reducing energy and water use through building audits. This program, developed by UGA biological and agricultural engineers, is being transitioned to other campuses within the Georgia university system as well. The approach taken emphasizes a combination of near-term and on campus solutions combined with national and international efforts to develop and promote a more sustainable built environment. The UGA and University System Energy and Water Conservation Program was initiated in 2005 for UGA Athens campus buildings and was continued into 2007. Here are just a few examples of the work being done on the UGA campus. During the spring of 2007, the UGA Main Library building was audited for energy saving opportunities. This audit report was completed in May and presented to UGA's Physical Plant Division and library administration. Currently, the two Riverbend Research complex buildings (North and South) are being audited for energy and water conservation opportunities. In the spring of 2007, the final report on the potential for solar hot water heating at the Ramsey Student Center pools was given by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Results of this report indicated the positive potential for solar hot water heating at Ramsey, and UGA's Physical Plant Division is intending to initiate a project to install a system on one pool as a demonstration project. (2007)

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