Energy
Investing in decarbonization and renewable energy reflects NIU's commitment to shaping a more sustainable society. Energy conservation is a major design consideration for all repair and construction projects on campus. The university has made over $50 million in lighting, insulation, heating/cooling and similar improvements in the past 15 years, generating about $4 million of savings annually.
More improvements are underway, including plans to upgrade our steam-generation infrastructure. Replacements for existing boilers, which were installed in the 1960s, are expected to be significantly more efficient.
Goals and Actions
NIU’s energy-related sustainability goals focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. The university will work toward these goals by developing and implementing the following:
- Comprehensive plan for building automation to help conserve energy
- Facilities plan for upgrades to buildings, equipment and infrastructure to result in a 50% reduction in emissions by fiscal year 2030
- Energy management and submetering plan/program
- Renewable energy plan to achieve carbon-neutral energy consumption by 2040
Identifying Opportunities
In 2023, NIU won a grant to receive consulting services from Coho Climate Advisors. The grant will help us identify the most beneficial renewable energy projects on campus, in terms of energy production and student engagement. The grant was awarded by Second Nature, a non-governmental organization that promotes climate action through higher education.
We’re currently developing plans for onsite renewable energy, including rooftop solar, and exploring options to purchase additional renewable energy credits.
Benchmarking Energy Use
NIU participates in the Energy STAR Higher Education Benchmarking Initiative (HEBI), which allows institutions to compare their campus’s energy and water performance to that of peer institutions. The initiative compares expected energy use (based on property type) to reported use. The initiative provides campus-level information at this stage, instead of information for individual buildings.
According to 2022 benchmarking, NIU’s expected energy use intensity was above average. We continue to work with our energy provider to identify action areas for energy efficiency and reduction.