In our efforts to continuously strive for carbon neutrality, the University of Denver is committed to energy conservation as a primary and critical location of climate change reduction.

The Facilities Management and Planning Department has selected a Utility Tracking software program specifically designed for the educational market. This database software allows for the analysis of both cost and carbon emissions data based on past electric, gas and water bills. Comparisons can be performed to show the differences between various buildings, as well as before and after energy conservation measures have been implemented.

We also have the ability to adjust the data based on weather differences from year to year such that we do not draw conclusions as a result of an unusually warm or cold period of weather. Several other factors this software takes into account include square footage, billing period length as well as the effect of price changes on cost and consumption, ensuring a fair and accurate analysis when comparing to data from previous years.

The ongoing improvements will be tracked using a baseline year of 2006. The baseline will be adjusted based on square footage growth and any increases in energy density requirements, including the addition of air conditioning.

Energy Conservation Projects Summary 2011 (PDF)

Energy Conservation Projects Summary 2010 (PDF)

RESCUE (Renewable Energy Science CommUnity and Enterprise) is an interdisciplinary committee initiated to encourage cross campus partnerships and to raise awareness about renewable energy issues.  The impetus that sparked the group was the 2010 Winter Quarter Provost's Lecture and Luncheon on March 2, 2010.  Professor K.K. DuVivier, from the Sturm College of Law, organized and co-presented with Robert J. Noun, Chief Spokesman for NREL, on "The New Energy Frontier: The University of Denver's Partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Current members of the RESCUE committee include K.K. DuVivier from the Sturm College of Law, Sean Shaheen from Physics, Frank Laird from Korbel School of International Studies, Davor Balzar from Physics, Matt Rutherford from Computer Science, Siavash Pourkamali Anaraki from Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michel Keables from Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Paul Olk from Daniels College of Business, and Cathryn Potter from Social Work.