U-M study to examine energy conservation on campus

Updated 10:00 AM Sept. 5, 2006

U-M study to examine energy conservation on campus

By Diane Swanbrow
Institute for Social Research

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) is conducting a joint pilot study of energy use attitudes and behaviors among U-M staff, faculty and students, in collaboration with the Plant Operations department and the Utilities Reduction Committee, to help lower costs.

"The primary purpose of the pilot project is to gather information that will help to develop U-M policies and programs that will succeed in reducing utility costs," says ISR Director James Jackson, who originated the study.

The main objectives include identifying current utility usage among faculty, staff and students, both on campus and at home; determining key attitudes and behaviors leading to poor practices; and helping to identify effective options for reducing energy consumption.

"Although the University has received national recognition from the EPA and Department of Energy for its energy efficient programs, we need to do more," says Hank Baier, associate vice president for Facilities and Operations. "This next step will involve a broader outreach with the University community. We will look to strengthen our partnerships to achieve reduction in our utility consumption."

Rising energy costs have had a dramatic impact on the University's budget, says Richard Robben, executive director of Plant Operations. "We continue to hear that the cost of energy is increasing dramatically across the nation due to economic and climatic events beyond our control," Robben says. "This is clearly evident in the rapid rise in the price that the University pays for natural gas. The cost of natural gas has risen sharply from $3 per unit in 2001 to $11 per unit this past winter."

"The net effect on the University has been raising our annual energy budget for utilities from $52 million to $80 million during this same period. Left unchecked these increases will constitute a significant drain on resources that can otherwise be used to support the University's central mission," Robben says.

For the pilot project, ISR researchers have conducted interviews with key informants and focus groups to seek input about current practices, attitudes, knowledge, and reactions to various energy reduction efforts. They also have been carrying out environmental and behavioral observations in four buildings: chemistry, space research (Engineering), ISR and Rackham. These assessments include measuring light levels, temperature settings, and use of computers and other equipment.

Starting this month the research team also will conduct Web surveys among building users to measure knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and willingness to adapt to changes in energy use.

"We will be asking all faculty and staff in the four buildings, as well as a sample of students, to participate in the Web surveys," says ISR Research Professor and Emeritus Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning Robert W. Marans, who is leading the research team.

"We need to have a better understanding of what members of the University community are thinking about conservation and sustainability issues with respect to the occupancy of campus buildings."

Other members of the research team are Lesli Scott, director of the ISR Survey Research Operations Project Design and Management Group; Kathleen Thomson, ISR facilities manager and Yoshiko Hill, manager of electrical engineering and energy management in Plant Operations. U-M graduate students Diaan van der Westhuizen and Anirban Adya also are working on the project.

By February 2007, the team plans to complete a written report of the overall results of the pilot project that will include initial policy recommendations.

U-M study to examine energy conservation on campus

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