Energy

March 1, 2015

Ripon College Launches New Website

Ripon College has launched a new website with greater information and graphics pertaining to campus sustainability. The recently-adopted Energy Conservation Policv can be accessed and read on the website: http://www.ripon.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/RCEnergyPolicy_FINAL.docx.pdf

Februray 18, 2015

Energy Conservation Policy adopted

Ripon College Administrative Council recently adopted the college's first Energy Conservation Policy. An implementation plan is being worked out. Meanwhile, the student newspaper, Ripon College Days, has written an article about it.

May 29, 2014

Ripon College Physical Plant is operated by Sodexo to meet the campus needs for maintenance, repair, and groudskeeping at the college.
Recently a sustainability report was completed by the Physical Plant, ranking our college and helping us identify where our strengths and weaknesses lie in regards to energy, water, health, wellness, and food.

The report can be shared upon request to the Sustainability Coordinator (hamzes@ripon.edu)


September 8. 2013

HAVE YOU BEEN WONDERING HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO OPERATE THE RIPON COLLEGE CAMPUS?




The light blue bars in the graph above indicate the Dollar amount paid by the College to Alliant for electricity use (scale on right y-axis).  Electricity usage in KWH shown in dark blue (scales on left y-axis).  Read date for meter on x-axis.
Can you guess why the campus used so much more electricity in April 2013 than May 2013 even though the temperature was lower?  If you think you know, comment at the bottom of this page or email the Sustainability Coordinator sustainability@ripon.edu

August 12, 2013

BEAT the PEAK

Every year in early September the campus hits its peak electrical use for the year.  This year we'll try to BEAT the PEAK. I will send out reminders to "power down" in the afternoon of days predicted to be hot.  Reducing our load on those afternoons mean we can reduce our carbon footprint and save money.  Stay tuned for Tweets and campus-wide emails!

The information below explains the Peak.

Temperature Data
Daily high temperatures are downloaded from: NOAA's Quality Controlled Local Climatological Data,  We use the Fond du Lac County Airport station (04840).  Compiled daily electricity use peaks in late August/early September for 2010-2013, along with registration and start of semester dates can be found here.

Daily peak electricity use for Ripon College primary meter June 2012-June 2013: data analysis shows that we could have save more than $3000 by being mindful of our electricity use on  7 afternoons last fall.



Notice the annual peak which occurs in early September 2012.  Only during 7 days of the entire year did the college surpass 1200KW. While we only reach this maximum very infrequently, we still pay a monthly surcharge for this peak. If we had reduced our campus load on those 7 days so that we stayed below the 1200KW threshold, the college would have saved $314 each month since September 2012 or more than $3000 as I write this.

Was fiscal year  2012-13 different than previous years? Let's look.

  
Notice again that we have the spikes in early September.  Interestingly the annual peak during this year was about the same as 2012-13. It was 1336KW on September 1.  This year we had only 8 days over 1100 KW. At 2012 prices, if we'd managed to not spike any peaks above 1100KW, the college could have avoided spending $6168 in 2011-12!!

The trend continues into years past.

While it is admittedly hottest as the semester starts and students are moving in, our electricity usage does not match daily highs.  Rather, it correlates to days of the week and time of day.  On hot days, early in the work week, during the early afternoon we spike our energy usage.

Collectively we can BEAT THE PEAK by adjusting our usage on hot afternoons in early September.

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