Energy | SustainableUMD

Energy – where it comes from and how much we use – has major implications for the environment and our health.

The extraction and combustion of fossil fuels is linked to climate change and polluting air and water quality. Seeking renewable and efficient solutions for energy generation, use, and storage will reduce our emissions, support economic development, and protect the well-being of the people and planet.

100%

renewable purchased electricity

9,000

solar panels on campus

850+

building utility meters

SustainableUMD Data Dashboard: Energy

Opportunities

UMD's programs to conserve energy, reduce emissions, and explore innovative tech

Conserve Energy:

Each of us can conserve energy every day by turning off lights, using power strips, installing LED light bulbs and using hibernate/sleep settings. Join the Green Terp, Green Chapter, or Green Office program to make a commitment, get certified, and connect with resources and guidance on sustainability resources and tips- specific to UMD!

Get involved with Sustainability Programs!

Report Leaks & Drafts

Please report leaks, drafts, and building issues that can result in wasted energy and resources. Everyone can submit service requests through Facilities Management.

Report to Facilities

Picture of person at laptop with credit card

Green Purchasing:

Explore how you can make energy efficient decisions! UMD staff are required to purchase energy efficient appliances, technology, and other environmentally-preferable products. There are over 75,000 EnergySTAR certified appliances available for use.

Green purchasing guidelines

On-Campus Solar:

UMD has more than 9,000 solar panels on campus. See how much energy they are generating with the UMD Solar Dashboard. UMD’s solar arrays are found at the Mowatt, Regents and Terrapin garages, Severn building, and the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR).

Explore UMD's solar kiosk

Achievements

UMD initiatives supporting sustainable energy on campus

The University of Maryland’s main campus at College Park is a small city with a population of roughly 50,000 by day and more than 250 facilities across 1,340 acres. In addition to the College Park campus, UMD also manages over 3,800 acres of land across the state, including facilities in Western Maryland, Eastern Shore, Ellicott City, and Clarksville to name a few.

UMD works to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 by conserving energy, sourcing renewable energy, and increasing campus efficiency through infrastructure upgrades, green buildings, and smart growth.

The Facilities Management (FM) team manages UMD's energy system for both main campus and the auxiliary campuses. The FM team aims to continuously improve energy efficiency, explore opportunities to incorporate UMD's academics and research into operations, and encourage sustainable practices in the district energy system.

Carbon Neutrality Initiatives: In 2021, President Pines committed UMD to achieving carbon neutrality by 2025, accelerating UMDs original goal by 25 years. Compared to the 2005 baseline, UMD has already halved greenhouse gas emissions through programs including: the 100% renewable purchased electricity commitment, the Carbon Neutral Air Travel initiative, the Undergraduate Student Commuting Offset Program, and the Carbon Neutral New Development program.

Renewable Electricity: As of 2020, all purchased electricity is generated by renewable sources. In addition to the electricity generated on campus by the Combined Heat and Power Plant (30%) and solar panels (5%), around 65% of electricity is sourced from purchasing agreements with local wind and solar farms or from the regional Renewable Energy Credit (REC) market.

NextGen Energy Program: The NextGen Energy Program (NextGen) is a major initiative to replace, renew, and modernize the University of Maryland, College Park's aging energy system through a proposed public-private partnership (P3). NextGen plays a critical role in ensuring UMD can depend on a reliable and resilient energy system for decades to come. As a carbon-neutral energy solution, NextGen will help meet UMD’s sustainability goals and advance its Climate Action Plan.

Energy Goals & Performance Contracts: UMD and the State of Maryland have encouraged energy efficiency and reduction in energy consumption for the past 15 years. In 2014, UMD committed to the President’s Energy Initiatives which built on existing Climate Action Plan strategies and State of Maryland legislation. Between 2014 and 2020, UMD reduced energy consumption by more than 15%, opened the first carbon neutral building on campus, and established a carbon offset program.