Stanford’s Central Energy Facility Features Heat Recovery, Predictive Control
Sustainability brings savings
In October 2009, Stanford University released a comprehensive and long-range Energy and Climate Action plan aimed at maximizing energy efficiency and utilizing clean, renewable energy on campus. The plan includes high-efficiency standards for new buildings; continued efficiency improvements for existing buildings; and a cutting-edge energy supply system known as the Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI) project, which the board of trustees approved in December 2011.
SESI represents a transformation of the university energy supply from a 100 percent fossil-fuel-based combined heat and power (CHP) plant to grid-sourced electricity and a more efficient electric heat recovery system. In 2013, Stanford’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions totaled 210,000 metric tons. This new system, along with Stanford’s solar procurement, is anticipated to reduce campus emissions to 67,000 metric tons, approximately 68 percent below current levels, and save 15 percent of campus potable water.