Northwestern University (NU) has 15 science research buildings on two campuses. Approximately $650 million in sponsored research activities take place in this space.
In 2016, the laboratory spaces consumed almost 118 million kWh of electricity, which, at a cost of 8 cents per kWh, amounts to close to $10 million. This is about half of the total NU electricity demand. A large part of this electricity demand comes from the laboratories’ ventilation systems.