univalberta

cies intermsof energyreductionstrategies,”Versteege says.“Now,we’realso lookingathowwecancreatenew high-performingbuildings,andretrofit existingbuild- ings toperformmoreefficiently.We’realso lookingat what typesof energysourceswe’reusing; insteadof the traditional gridelectricity,wearenowstartingourown onsitegenerationof renewablepower,whileaddress- ingclimatechangeandreducingour carbonfootprint.” Currently,theuniversity’sdistrict energysystem,the fifth-largest campus systeminNorthAmerica,efficiently heatsandcools theentirecampususingcogeneration andnatural gas fuel.Thecoolingplantoncampuspro- ducesandstoreschilledwater ina thermal energystor- agesystemduringoff-peakhourswhenpowerprices are lower.The JeanneandPeterLougheedPerforming ArtsCentreontheCamrosecampusboasts the largest building-integratedsolarphotovoltaicsysteminCana- da,with488solarpanels.Approximately780kilowatt hoursof renewableandalternativeenergycapacityis plannedtobe installed institution-wideby2020. Fundingformanyof theseprojectscomes frombor- rowedmoney.“Weworkona financedmodel,wherewe borrowmoneyexternallyandthenpaybackthe loans via theenergysavingsandthecost avoidance,”says Versteege.“Andthat’sbeengoingonsince2004–05.I’m inthemiddleof a$35-millionprogram; I’vecompleted almost threeyears,withtwoyears left togo,andthe developmentof thenextprogramisunderway.It’san ongoingcommitmentof theuniversity.” TheUofA’scommitment tosustainabilityhas like- wisepermeated itsacademiccurriculumfor aneven longer time,perhapsbeginningwiththeschool’sDe- partmentofAgriculturebackin1915.“Asan institution, weactuallyhavequitea fewsustainability-relatedand sustainability-focusedcourses,”saysTrina Innes,theU ofA’sChief SustainabilityOfficer.“We’reacomprehen- sive research-based institutionwith18departments, manyofwhichhavesustainabilitylearningoutcomes embedded intotheir areas.Ouruniversitydoesn’thave amajoror aminor focusedspecificallyonsustainability, butwhatwedohave,whichmanyinstitutionsdon’t, is somethingcalledaCertificate inSustainability.Stu- dentscancomplete that certificateconcurrentwith theirdegree,so it’s throughtheir selectionof specific sustainability-focusedcoursesandthecompletionof a capstoneprojectof somekindconnectedtothat topic.” THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA