Sustainability at PSU

Energy & Buildings

PSU's approach to building design, construction, and maintenance recognizes the interdependence of the natural and built environments. Since 2004, PSU has implemented a green building standard to minimize the use of energy, water, and other natural resources while providing a healthy, productive indoor environment. Because buildings drive energy use on campus and energy use accounts for a significant portion of PSU's greenhouse gas emissions, it is critical that we design and operate our buildings with efficiency and conservation in mind.

What we are committed to

Among sustainability guidelines integrated into PSU’s Technical Design Standards, PSU is committed to meeting LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for all new buildings and major renovations. In addition, PSU is committed to identifying opportunities to improve the condition of existing buildings through operational and preventative maintenance process improvements and by pursuing LEED for Existing Buildings Operations + Maintenance (LEED O+M) certification, where relevant. To date, these commitments to LEED standards has led to 17 buildings being LEED certified on campus, four of which are under the LEED O+M program.

As the sustainable building field evolves, so do PSU's priorities. Accessibility, public health, and safety will continue to emerge as priorities in PSU's construction and maintenance programs. 

PSU prioritize strategies that conserve energy and promote energy efficient buildings and mechanical systems. The PSU Energy Conservation Guidelines lay out target temperature settings for heating and cooling and other strategies for conserving energy in our office buildings, use of technology, and purchasing practices. Through collaboration across departments, staff are encouraged to find innovative energy-saving solutions. This has led to changes such as consolidating the number of buildings where night courses are scheduled from 21 buildings to five; isolating spaces requiring special heating or cooling needs so that the campus energy loop can be shut down in summer months; and more.

Energy & Buildings - what we are doing

Green revolving fund graphic show how Utility savings and $500k seed go into a circular fund that funds projects on campus

Green Revolving Fund

The Green Revolving Fund (GRF) supports energy and water efficiency projects across campus. Each year, utility savings from funded projects, energy incentive rebates, and voluntary travel offset funds help to replenish and grow the GRF. To date, the GRF has supported 15 projects creating over $250,000 annual utility savings.

Pipes in an underground corridor labeled chill water, steam, condensate

District heating and cooling loop

The campus energy loop connects 15 buildings across campus, offering greater efficiency, reliability, and cost effectiveness. Centralized boilers and chillers generate steam and chilled water that are distributed through a network of pipes to buildings. 

Leadership in energy and environmental design plaque for silver designation

LEED certified buildings

Designing and operating new buildings and major renovations to LEED standards drives energy use reduction. Learn about some of PSU's LEED certified buildings through an online or in-person Campus Sustainability Tour. PSU has 17 LEED certified buildings, with two additional certifications pending in 2020-2021.

Person on ladder next to large orange pipes

Innovative heating and cooling solutions

Efficiency upgrades to boilers, chillers, and other mechanical systems have resulted in reduced electricity and natural gas consumption. PSU utilizes a combination heat pumps, energy recovery chillers, and the campus energy loop to move and recycle heating and cooling capacity in buildings and across campus.

one student standing overlooks and takes notes while another student looks at sensor on the wall

Energy-focused student projects

Through the Living Lab program, students and faculty have helped evaluate PSU’s options for increasing renewable energy use on campus, including onsite solar plus battery storage development. If you are interested in working on a project related to energy use on campus, visit the Living Lab page to learn more.

Faculty assisting student

Computer Power Management Standard

PSU’s Office of Information Technology maintains energy conserving computer power management settings. These power management settings control when the monitor and computer enter the sleep mode during periods of inactivity. 

Atrium and skylights in building

LED retrofits

Parking garage lighting fixtures have been upgraded to LEDs. Additional lighting retrofits are happening across campus and all new lighting will be LED. Converting conventional fluorescent, incandescent, and other lighting types to LED saves energy, utility costs, and improves lighting quality.

solar panels on millar library

Renewable energy generation on campus

There are five solar photovoltaic arrays on campus. The two largest arrays are on the Millar Library (86 kW) and Lincoln Hall (54 kW). Two arrays are largely for research purposes: Science Research & Teaching Center (4.9 kW) and Cramer (5 kW). There is also a small (4.4 kW) array on the Academic & Student Recreation Center.

lights off when leaving campus sustainability office

Lights Off reminder stickers

In all campus housing buildings and in many classroom and office spaces, Lights Off reminder stickers are installed on switches. Stickers are a standard part of the Climate Champions program and can be requested from the Campus Sustainability Office, email sustainability@pdx.edu.

sustainability leaders claim page's green future impact in record time

Taking action on renewable energy

Once completed, a 162-megawatt solar facility in Oregon's Gilliam County will provide renewable energy to PSU and other participants in the Portland General Electric Green Future Impact program. PSU will receive almost one-quarter of campus electricity needs from this solar facility.

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How we are doing

LEED Certified Buildings

LEED Platinum

In 2017, the Karl Miller Center (KMC) opened after a major renovation and partial new build. With passive ventilation (no mechanical air conditioning) in the pavilion portion of the building, KMC is the most energy efficient building on campus.

Lincoln Hall was built in 1911 as a high school. Bringing together historic preservation and sustainable design, Lincoln was renovated in 2011 to LEED Platinum standards. The building features custom fabricated high performance windows, spaces for public art, and a rooftop solar array.

The Robertson Life Sciences Building (RLSB) is shared by OHSU, PSU, and OSU. An existing brownfield was transformed to host this building, which features multiple ecoroofs, low ventilation fume hoods in classrooms, repurposed oil drilling pipes for foundation piles.

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LEED Gold

Among the sustainable design strategies at the Academic & Student Recreation Center, you might be surprised to learn that toilets are flushed using rainwater! Many materials and maintenance practices promote the use of healthy materials, materials reuse and waste reduction.

The Engineering Building integrates opportunities for academic learning and research through real-time building system monitoring. Geothermal heating and cooling eliminate the need for a cooling tower, greatly reducing overall energy use.

Fariborz Maseeh Hall features a beautiful lightwell, bringing natural light into interior spaces and the ground floor. Durable and low emitting materials were used in the building, such as stone, ceramic tiles, carpet, paints, adhesives, and sealants.

The Vanport Building is pending LEED certification. Sustainable design highlights include an ecoroof covering almost two-thirds of the roof and design strategies to make daylight the primary lighting source inside the building.

Mechanical systems in the Science Research & Teaching Center (SRTC) were designed to capitalize on heat exchange and recovery opportunities. After updates in 2011 and 2016, SRTC uses approximately 50% less conditioned air than previously.

Shattuck Hall is an example of a renovation merging sustainable design and historic preservation. Shattuck houses an integrated radiant heating and cooling ceiling panel system to reduce energy use. Interior design and materials selection help improve acoustic performance.

Healthy and sustainable materials were a priority throughout the renovation of Viking Pavilion & Peter W. Stott Center. 98% of the new wood used in the project is FSC certified. A partnership with Miller Paint won a Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Business Case Award.

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LEED Silver

Polycarbonate panels in the Biology Research Greenhouses allow for light transmission while insulating the space. Stormwater planters and permeable pavers filter runoff, improving water quality on site, while low-flow water fixtures inside reduce potable water use.

At the time of construction in 2004, the Broadway Residence Hall housed the largest ecoroof in Portland, leading to a 2005 BEST Award for Stormwater Management. During construction, 92% of construction waste was diverted from landfill.

In 2005, Epler Hall became Portland’s first mixed-use building to achieve LEED Silver. Over 90% of original building was reused or recycled during its renovation. A rainwater harvesting system is used to flush toilets in the building, reducing potable water use.

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LEED for Operations + Maintenance (LEED O+M)