Sustainability

Energy Management works diligently to support Michigan Tech's sustainability goals. We are always interested in new ideas to save energy, reduce waste and improve the comfort of the campus buildings. Here are just a few of the ways that Energy Management drives for sustainability:

Annual support for the Green Campus Enterprise (GCE) group: We work together to collect carbon data, as well as support for small projects like waste heat being used to melt ice on sidewalks and reducing the energy required to cool IT data centers. You can participate too! 

Lighting projects: Replace obsolete fixtures with the latest LED lamps, as well as state-of-the-art controls to turn lights on, off and adjust their intensity based on occupancy and the amount of natural light entering the space. We can help with sourcing LED lamp upgrades, as well as rebates for the purchase and installation of the lamps/fixtures. In 2024, Michigan Tech captured over $250,000 in rebates for electrical and natural gas saving projects. Watch on campus for these projects underway, in many buildings.

Innovative upgrades to HVAC and laboratory fume hood controls: Using occupancy sensors that were intended to control only lighting, we have developed strategies to control our heating, cooling and ventilation systems to reduce the use of energy to condition spaces where no people are present. If you notice spaces where ventilation is not optimized, you can submit a work request ticket to have it investigated. We appreciate your help from the front lines of our fight to reduce our carbon footprint!

Insulation: We have installed thousands of feet of insulation installed on piping, fittings and equipment to save energy and improve comfort for users of overheated spaces. 

Linkageless digital controls on steam boilers: We have upgraded our boilers to improve efficiency, reduce emissions and provide better reliability for the long, cold winters. Our boilers are 55-75 years old, but are beautifully maintained and have been upgraded many times. They are configured for state-of-the-art combustion of natural gas, until other more advanced energy options are developed. Many of our newer buildings utilize heat pumps and other sources of energy, we continue to work on the historical facilities to make them more energy efficient.

24/7 oversight and scheduling of heating and ventilation systems: We monitor the performance of our HVAC systems across campus every day around the clock, using sensors, class schedules and special event calendars to set controls to minimize energy consumption for heating, cooling and lighting. If you would like to visit the Central Energy Plant (CEP) for a tour, we can accommodate groups of up to 15 people for the 1 hour walk through the plant. Typically, we can schedule a tour within a week or less after contacting the plant. Click here to request a tour.

Wind and Solar Power: Michigan Tech derives over 50% of its electricity from wind and solar sources, including three new solar arrays on the recently opened H-STEM facility. We are always seeking new ways to reduce our carbon footprint through energy savings, advanced controls, leading edge construction methods, education and use of alternative sources of energy.

The Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC): This building on the waterfront is heated with waste energy from the steam plant, harvested from the stack heat from Boiler 2 and 3. A significant energy savings results, and you can see this device in operation if you join us for a tour of the Central Energy Plant.

Energy Management hosts dozens of plant tours: We do tours all year with students, faculty, Summer Youth Program (SYP) guests and many others. We also offer operational experiences for a number of courses every year, giving students a real-world environment for applying what they learn in class. Click here to request a tour!

• • See the steam boilers, making steam to heat the campus, cool our buildings, sterilize lab equipment and many other things. 
  • See our campus generators, capable to making 9 megawatts of electricity within 90 seconds of a power outage
  • See our Building Management System in use, overseeing all of the campus HVAC equipment 
  • Learn about our energy management process, and how you can get involved!

Staff working in Facilities Operations, including Grounds Services, Custodial Services, and Maintenance Services work in the realm of sustainability on a daily basis. Students, faculty and staff on campus can request assistance from staff, but they can also submit a work request for some of the following sustainability-related services 

Consultation

Staff working in Facilities Operations are knowledgeable about a wide range of functions on campus. Building staff is acutely aware of activities in buildings, daily process, and operational strategies. Grounds Services staff has a similar understanding of outdoor operations and environmental management strategies. Faculty, students, and staff interested in experimenting or implementing sustainability-related projects on campus are encouraged to contact Facilities Management to review the proposal and mitigate any operational conflicts. 

Recycling Services

• Commingled Recycling Bins - Facilities Management maintains an inventory of recycling bins for use in campus buildings. Common receptacles include small under-desk collection bins (3 gallon) or centrally located medium-sized bins (16 gallon). You may request additional bins if needed from Facilities Management.
• Battery Collection Cylinders - There are environmental regulations governing the collection and storage of batteries. For this reason, students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use centrally located battery collection bins that should be publicly available in each building. Building occupants may request a battery recycling cylinder if there isn’t one available in their building.
• Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Boxes - The University generates a significant volume of lighting waste each year. Discarded bulbs, lamps, and ballasts are packaged and recycled by an off-site vendor. Departments may elect to use pre-paid recycling alternatives, however, the department would then be responsible for managing their waste in accordance with “Universal Waste” regulations. Alternatively, Facilities Management can provide suitable boxes for packaging spent bulbs, lamps, and ballasts. Full boxes would then be prepared for bulk recycling with similar waste streams. 

Signage & Labels

• Centralized Trash Collection Signage - There is a centralized trash collection program in place for campus buildings. The primary goals of the program are to minimize health hazards for employees and improve sustainable practices on campus by encouraging people to be mindful of the waste they’re generating, but also reducing the number of single-use plastic bags used in waste collection. Centrally located trash and recycling bins are placed in strategic locations in all  campus buildings. A list of the waste collection locations for your building can be found here. Downloadable signage for trash collection areas is available here.
• Recycling Bin Signage - Single stream recycling is used on campus; meaning that acceptable items may all be placed in the same collection bin. Recyclable materials such as plastics, glass, and paper products are generally acceptable. Items like plastic shopping bags and food waste are not accepted and should not be discarded in commingled recycling bins. Current signage for allowable recyclable materials can be requested from the Office of Sustainability and Resilience. 
• Fluorescent Bulb Box Labels - Boxes containing waste bulbs, lamps, and ballasts have storage and labeling requirements. Minimally, storage boxes must be marked with a label indicating the day that the contents became a waste (the first day a bulb was placed in the box). Labels for universal waste boxes are available here. If you have a box of waste that need to be collected or transferred for bulk recycling, please submit a work request. 

Temporary Services 

• Event Recycling Bins - Academic departments, student organizations, and community members host hundreds of events, large and small on campus. Facilities Management staff can assist with your outdoor event by providing extra trash and recycling receptacles as well as access to infrastructure like power, water, and event fencing. Facilities Management does not own or maintain event-related equipment such as tents, tables and chairs, staging, or similar equipment.
• Cleanout Trash and Recycling Carts - Departments across campus repurpose and renovate spaces on a regular basis. Cleanout of offices, laboratories and similar spaces will likely involve the generation of trash and recyclable materials. If needed, faculty, staff, and students may request 95 gallon rolling carts that can be used on a temporary basis to collect wastes created by the work. Carts may be requested by submitting a work request to the Grounds Department. There are a limited number of carts available and they will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
• Temporary Collection Bins - Our campus community is proactive when it comes to providing support for others. Returnable bottle drives, food drives, and one-off recycling  collection (plastic film, dental products, etc.) all may require the use of collection bins located in campus buildings. Please contact Facilities Management if you’d like to place a collection bin in a campus building. Notification will provide awareness for staff and building occupants, create a point of contact for the initiative,  while also establishing a timeframe for the bins to be in place.

Planning and Construction ensures the design of buildings comply with ASHRAE 90.1, the State of Michigan Uniform Energy Code and the referenced International Energy Conservation Code.  As outlined in our Design and Construction Standards sustainability and energy efficiency are key considerations.  

Building Envelope
Michigan Technological University is located in Climate Zone 7 as indicated in the Code. This shall dictate the minimum standards for the design of the building envelope. In addition, the building envelope shall incorporate:

- Building should be oriented and designed with prevailing wind direction and sun angles throughout the year in mind.
- All entrances shall include vestibules.
- Windows shall be designed to maximize daylighting into the building interior and to reduce electrical lighting loads.
- Windows and fenestration shall be designed to minimize excessive heat gain during the warmer summer months, and heat loss in the winter.
- Windows shall exceed the minimum u-value required in the Michigan Uniform Energy Code. Operable windows shall not exceed an air infiltration rates outlined in the Michigan Uniform Energy Code.
- Provide and properly detail a high-quality air barrier system around the building envelope to virtually eliminate air infiltration.
- Structural design of members that penetrate the building envelope shall incorporate thermal breaks when feasible to reduce conductive heat loss.

Building HVAC System

- Buildings must be energy efficient and shall strive to achieve a maximum energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

- Buildings that are generally not occupied 24-7 shall be designed so that air-handling units can be shut down or considerably slowed during unoccupied times, with heat loads maintained at minimum levels by perimeter hot water radiation (cycling of air handlers with outside air dampers closed to maintain minimum heat levels is not desirable).
- Laboratory spaces shall have occupancy and air quality monitoring to maximize safety and minimize energy consumption.
- Each type of space should have its own separate air handler. Where possible provide separate air handlers for classrooms, lecture halls, labs, offices. Each of these areas are likely to operate on different occupancy schedules.

- Building spaces that require considerable exhaust of conditioned air (such as laboratories), shall incorporate energy recovery systems to capture the heating or cooling energy.
- Outside air intake rates shall be designed to meet ASHRAE 62.1 (the latest version) requirements.
- CO2 demand control, as well as the ability to close or restrict outside air dampers during unoccupied periods, is required for ventilation systems.
- Exhaust fans shall have VFD’s and be tied to controls that will reduce air flow when air- handlers are turned off or have reduced flow.
- Air economizer systems shall be utilized where feasible, with all air handlers capable of 100% outdoor air for free cooling.
- Steam radiation systems are not permitted. Only hot water radiation.
- Install VFD’s on all HVAC fans and pumps.

Plumbing Systems

- All plumbing fixtures shall have low flow, touchless faucets and flush valves.
Potable water shall not be used for process cooling or once through processes. Closed loop systems shall be used.

Lighting Systems

- Lighting wattage should not exceed watt per square foot limits outlined in ASHRAE 90.1.
- Primarily use dimmable LED fixtures for all interior lighting.
- Use medium base LED lamps rated at 50,000 hrs. + for all difficult to reach areas and for accent and spot lighting.
- For exterior, use LED fixtures.
- Alternative lighting types will be considered based on performance if life cycle costs indicate a better value.