![]() ![]() The use of SITLA land will return some funds to the state of Utah through the lease agreement.Ī new precedence has been set through the use of Rocky Mountain Power’s Schedule 32 rate tariff for the power purchase agreements between the U, Rocky Mountain Power, and each It will utilize School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration (SITLA) land in Utah, which has been set aside to support public schools and institutions. The solar energy contract has additional ties to the local environment and economy. While we complete this important planning work, we must also take actions like this solar contract that have measurable impact.” “We recently launched an effort to identify additional strategies that will reduce the U’s greenhouse gas emissions and increase our community’s resilience to climate change. “We want to demonstrate what is possible by leading with sustainable choices in our operations,” said Kerry Case, chief sustainability officer at the University of Utah. This makes a measurable reduction to local emissions and improves air quality. With long-term commitments to increase use of new, renewable energy, the U is significantly reducing the environmental impact of the electrical grid. To operate nearly 300 buildings that support healthcare, research, education and housing, the university requires about 1% of all electricity and natural gas in the state of Utah. With a combination of geothermal (our baseload) and solar (for peaking), loads are well-matched and costs remain well-managed.” Off-site production is a great way to build and leverage economies of scale. “We simply can’t be carbon neutral without sourcing our energy from clean and renewable sources. “Even the most perfect buildings and transportation systems, operated flawlessly, still need energy to run,” said Chris Benson, associate director of Sustainability and Energy in Facilities Management at the U. Leadership teams in Facilities Management spent years working to balance those considerations. This will allow the U to be responsible stewards of resources without creating an unnecessary burden. Cost projections show this significant move toward renewable energy will come without increased costs. This commitment to clean energy and sustainable investments persists even amidst current budget concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The U’s current geothermal contract is currently ranked as the number one largest long-term contract of any college or university under the Green Power Partnership. Upon delivery, this new contract would rank total renewables of the University of Utah at number five among all colleges and universities (behind University of California, Arizona State University, Columbia University, and University at Buffalo SUNY) as reported by the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. The new solar contract will bring the university to 71% of all electrical energy coming from renewable sources. The contract will deliver 20 MW of solar energy to campus over its lifespan, powering the university toward its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.Ī geothermal energy contract signed in 2018 made the U the first public college in the state to receive more than half of its electricity through renewable sources. University of Utah Facilities Management has taken another important step forward as a leader in energy and sustainability by signing a 25-year solar energy contract with the Castle Solar Project near Huntington, Utah. PHOTO CREDIT: Jacqueline Flores, Swinerton Renewable EnergyĭESRI’s Hunter Solar site in Emery County, Utah. ![]()
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