Energy, Water & Climate Change

Dal is committed to climate change mitigation and adaptation

Dalhousie is working on a number of utility and climate plans and projects. In the Dalhousie University Campus Master Plan (released August 2011) Green Power Labs Inc. conducted a solar suitability assessment of the campus [PDF - 23.7 MB]. In 2011, a campus utility master plan will be released which will include energy and water audits of all buildings on campus. Energuide assessments have been completed for Dalhousie owned houses. Further studies are being conducted on lab and kitchen equipment. A University temperature policy is under development

On December 11, 2009, Dalhousie’s President Tom Traves signed the University and College’s Climate Change Statement for Canada. Dalhousie has since released a comprehensive climate change plan [PDF - 3 MB] which includes mitigation and adaption strategies. The Green House Gas (GHG) inventory reports are published annually. You can view graphs from the report below.

Projects recently completed include:

• lighting upgrades and insulation of houses;
  
• incandescent bulb replacement;
  
• energy meter installation, major lighting, HVAC, solar, and water upgrades to the Life Science Centre;
  
• vending miser technology in vending machines;
• natural gas conversion of the steam system,
  
• and LED and occupancy and daylight sensors in certain locations.
• Comprehensive water testing of drinking water fountains and faucets
• Annual replacement of water fountains with new lead-free fountains with water bottle options
• Development and implementation of a bottled water reduction pledge.  Plans are to release the pledge March  22, 2012.
• Major building systems and equipment are being retrofitted to recycle water in systems instead of dumping to drain
• Stormwater management actions are being taken with new projects such as adding water cisterns and green roofs in new buildings and permeable pavement

Projects currently underway and in the planning stages include:

• campus lighting upgrade;
  
• energy and water upgrades to five major buildings;
  
• kitchen, laundry and lab equipment replacement;
  
• a major tri-generation project,
  
• and building dashboard software for energy, water, heat, and renewable systems.