Renewable Energy Highlights
- Emory aims to self-generate 10% of energy used on campus to replace fossil fuel sources by 2025.
- In 2021, Emory’s solar projects produced over 2710 MWh of electricity, a 410% increase over 2020.
- Sustainable technologies for producing energy are employed across Emory’s campus, including solar photovoltaic power, co-generation from Emory’s steam plant, biofuel used in Emory’s Cliff shuttles, and geothermal energy in the LEED Platinum Emory Student Center.
- With the enactment of HB 57, The Solar Power Free-Market Financing Act of 2015, Georgia became the first state in the Southeastern U.S. to legislatively approve private, third party sales of electricity from onsite solar systems as a means of financing solar energy for Georgia businesses, institutions, schools and homes. With third party financing through Solar Energy Procurement Agreements (SEPA) now legal in Georgia, Emory is able to install more cost effective solar energy systems on Emory property.
In 2020, Emory entered into a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) with Cherry Street Energy to install 5.5 MW of solar on the Atlanta campus. Furthering Emory’s commitment to economic inclusion, Cherry Street’s Shine On workforce development program provides skilled training to the workers installing more than 15,000 solar panels across Emory’s rooftops and parking decks.
Renewable Energy Benefits
- Renewable energy installations can provide important teaching and research opportunities on campus and serve as nationally-important demonstration sites.
- Rooftop solar installations can “leapfrog the need for large-scale, centralized power grids and accelerate access to affordable, clean electricity – becoming a powerful tool for eliminating poverty.” (Project Drawdown)
- Renewable energy sources exist over wide geographical areas, as opposed to fossil fuel sources, which are concentrated in relatively few global locales.
- Renewable energy generation can result in increased energy security, climate change mitigation, and the creation of jobs.
How It Works
Solar
- In August 2020, rooftop solar was installed on 1599 Clifton Road, Gambrell School of Law, and the Health Sciences Research Building in the initial phase of the Cherry Street Energy SEPA project. More installations will continue through the end of 2021!
- In 2015, Georgia Power’s Advanced Solar Initiative (ASI) enabled rooftop solar on 1762 Clifton Road and the North Decatur Building, which generate 265 kWh of energy.
- Six 70-watt solar panels outside of the Few and Evans Residence Halls pump water from an underground cistern into the waste water system for toilet flushing.
- A small solar installation provides solar power for a portion of the energy needed at the Water Hub.
- A solar hot water heating system preheats approximately 40% of the domestic hot water required for the Emory Student Center.
Geothermal
A system of 400-foot deep geothermal wells dug into nearby McDonough Field that provide some 700 tons of heating/cooling capacity to the Emory Student Center.
Biofuel
The entire Cliff Shuttle fleet is fueled by B20 biodiesel, made from recycled cooking oil from Emory’s cafeterias.
Cogeneration
1mW of combined heat and power provide energy in Emory’s steam plant. Learn more about this system in a blog post.
Completed Solar Projects:
Locations Under Design:
- Musculoskeletal Parking Deck Canopy
Locations to be designed that are included in SEPA:
- Starvine Parking Deck
- Lowergate East Parking Deck
- Lowergate South Parking Deck
Solar PV on Lowergate South Parking Deck
Future site of solar panel installation as part of the Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) with Cherry Street Energy!
Solar PV on Health Sciences Research Building I Rooftop
In December 2020, solar panels were installed on the Health Sciences Research Building I in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV Gambrell School of Law Rooftop
In November 2020, 83kw of rooftop solar was installed on the Gambrell School of Law building rooftop and parking deck top floor in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV on 1599 Clifton Road Building Rooftop
In August 2020, 83kw of rooftop solar was installed on the 1599 Clifton Road building rooftop and parking deck top floor in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV on Peavine South Parking Deck
In Spring 2021, solar panels were installed on the Peavine South Parking Deck in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV on Peavine North Parking Deck
In Spring 2021, solar panels were installed on the Peavine North Parking Deck in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV on Fishburne Parking Deck
In June 2021, solar panels were installed on the Fishburne Parking Deck in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV on Emory Conference Center Hotel Parking Deck
In Fall 2020, solar panels were installed on the Emory Conference Center Hotel Parking Deck in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Solar PV on Clairmont Starvine Parking Deck
Future site of solar panel installation as part of the Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) with Cherry Street Energy!
Solar PV on 1599 Clifton Road Parking Deck Canopy
In Fall 2020, solar panels were installed on the 1599 Clifton Road Parking Deck Canopy in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
Co-generation or Combined Heat and Power
A steam-turbine generator at Emory’s steam plant produces one megawatt of clean power for the campus. Emory’s steam plant burns natural gas to create pressurized steam. Cogeneration/CHP recovers mechanical heat produced by turning generators, adds that heat to the steam system and is able to generate even more electricity by spinning the steam turbine under higher pressures. Link: https://sustainability.emory.edu/emory-university-adds-1mw-of-clean-power-with-innovative-cogeneration-combined-heat-and-power-system/
Geothermal Energy at McDonough Field
A system of 400-foot deep geothermal wells dug into McDonough Field provide some 700 tons of heating/cooling capacity to the Emory Student Center.
Solar PV on 1762 Clifton Rd Rooftop
Emory installed its first rooftop solar panels in the summer of 2015 through participation in Georgia Power’s Advanced Solar Initiative. The 1762 Clifton Road rooftop panels were installed at the same time as the North Decatur rooftop panels, which together generate 265 kWh of energy. Solar is one strategy for achieving Emory’s goals of 45% GHG emissions reductions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.
Solar Water Heating at Emory Student Center
A solar water heating system located in the rectangular panels on the roof of the North Pavilion provides about 40 percent of the building’s hot water needs.
Solar PV at the WaterHub
Solar PV on North Decatur Building Rooftop
Emory installed its first rooftop solar panels in the summer of 2015 through participation in Georgia Power’s Advanced Solar Initiative. The North Decatur Building rooftop panels were installed at the same time as the 1762 Clifton Road rooftop panels, which together generate 265 kWh of energy. Solar is one strategy for achieving Emory’s goals of 45% GHG emissions reductions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050.
Solar PV on EmTech Library Service Center Rooftop
In June 2022, solar panels were installed on the Library Services Center in the initial phase of the Emory-Cherry Street Energy Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) project.
The EmTech Library Service Center, created in collaboration between Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, opened its doors in March 2016. The Library Service Center was built to house a shared collection amassing millions of books and other materials , with the goal of making these materials seamlessly available to faculty, staff, and students at both Emory and Georgia Tech. This joint project marks the latest chapter in a longstanding public-private partnership between the Atlanta-based institutions and offers advantages for both universities. The solar panels on this building help mitigate the building’s energy use while advancing both universities’ missions of increased sustainability and environmental awareness.
Solar PV on Lowergate East Parking Deck
Future site of solar panel installation as part of the Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA) with Cherry Street Energy!