An Energy-Smart Campus: Reducing Energy in Georgetown’s Buildings

Did you know that buildings are the largest source of emissions in DC? That’s why Georgetown is taking bold steps to cut energy use and lower our carbon footprint. Through programs and initiatives like the Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) Program and the Healy and Copley Lawn Utilities Project!

What does this mean for DC and our campus?
DC has implemented their own version of Building Performance Standards called Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) to tackle emissions from buildings and set clear energy and emissions goals for all structures; and the BEPS program aims to reduce DC buildings’ greenhouse gas emissions and energy use by 50% by 2032.

We’re committed to meeting these standards through a 35% reduction in GU’s energy use on the Hilltop Campus by 2030!

How is Georgetown leading the charge?
Through the Healy and Copley Lawn Utilities Project launched this past summer, we’re making significant strides in energy efficiency. Currently, most campus buildings rely on steam generated by our Central Utility Plant for heating and humidifying. However, a significant amount of steam is lost during distribution, leading to wasted energy. To address this, we are transitioning to a hot water system. This system produces fewer carbon emissions and less wasted energy. How? Less fuel is needed to create hot water compared to steam from the city water delivered to the utility plant, and there is less temperature loss or wasted energy throughout distribution. Hot water distribution is made possible by development of efficient hot water exchangers that transfer heat from the hot water distribution system to our building heating systems.

But that’s not all! We’re also upgrading lighting and other utilities with our Georgetown Energy Partner projects, and counting on students to pitch in by joining our #EnergizeGU competitions, like the Eco-Challenge and the Energy Olympics! Through these competitions, you can reduce your energy use on campus and help Georgetown reach its sustainability goals.

Want to learn even more about how we’re leading the charge toward a sustainable future?
Join us for the “Toward a More Sustainable Future: Campus Energy & Sustainability Forum!” This dynamic panel discussion will feature expert panelists responding to prompts and engaging in a lively Q&A session. You’ll discover on-campus energy efficiency measures, how sustainability influences projects and learn why your energy behavior is crucial in our sustainability journey.

Panelists include:

Ayana Thomas, Director of Sustainability, Georgetown University
Joel Elkins, Capital Projects Director at Georgetown University, ENGIE
Katherine Williams, Assistant Director for Capital Projects, Georgetown University
Orissa Moulton, Associate Teaching Professor, Georgetown University