George Washington University Reduces Carbon Footprint through Capital Partners Solar Project

摘要

Through its most recent climate action plan, George Washington University has committed to carbon neutrality by 2040. Since the university is an urban institution in Washington, DC, with limited roof space and open space, an innovative solution was needed to source a significant quantity of renewable energy to help meet this target. Consequently, the university developed the CPSP to help green its campus by purchasing approximately half of its electricity from renewable energy (once fully operational in 2016). The CPSP was developed with support from CustomerFirst Renewables, who helped perform a feasibility study in 2012 to explore possibilities for offsite energy production. In January 2013, George Washington University partnered with the District of Columbia, Department of General Services and American University to develop a joint request for proposal (RFP) for the renewable energy purchase that was issued in May 2013. Aggregating their energy demand, George Washington University, American University, and George Washington University Hospital joined efforts to contract for energy as part of a joint project. The District of Columbia decided to pursue a separate contract.