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 15 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
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.

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.
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 15 LEED certified buildings, with two additional certifications pending in 2020-2021.

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.
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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.