With the dog days of summer soon approaching, the campus is preparing for triple-digit temperatures from June through September. Increased temperatures are accompanied by spikes in electricity as air conditioners run high to keep the indoors cool. These sharp increases in demand on the power grid can lead to power outages. Rice University helps lower the risk of area-wide electricity disruptions in Houston by actively participating in voluntary electricity curtailment programs managed by The Electric Reliability Council of Texas and CenterPoint Energy. Since this partnership began in 2012, Rice has helped stabilize the local electricity supply while saving $2.9 million in utility costs.
Collaborate to Conserve
A look behind the scenes reveals a coordinated and active partnership between Facilities & Capital Planning and the Office of Sustainability. On a typical high-demand summer day, work begins early, with the team assessing grid conditions and power forecasts. A plan is quickly established to optimize the University’s plant operations and prepare for necessary power reductions. As the day progresses, notifications are sent to the campus community urging a reduction in energy consumption. Simultaneously, the university’s plant adjusts its HVAC settings to conserve energy. The team can make real-time data-driven decisions remotely, thanks to recent technological upgrades. This positions Rice to better adapt to shifts in energy demands and cost fluctuations.
Sustainability Excellence in Action
Campus-wide curtailment efforts go beyond financial savings. They demonstrate Rice’s ongoing commitment to sustainability excellence and fostering a community of care. For example, when Rice reduces its energy consumption during high-demand times fewer inefficient, high-pollution power generators are activated. This improves the air quality of Houston, thus reducing the number of air pollution-related illnesses.
The program’s successes result from the active engagement of Rice’s faculty, staff, and students. Conservation notices prompt folks to turn off non-essential lights, unplug unused devices, and keep windows and doors closed to retain cool air.
When we send out conservation notices, we see immediate reductions in energy consumption, says Richard Johnson, Senior Executive Director for Sustainability. People understand the importance of maintaining grid stability, and the revenues from our participation help reduce our overall utility costs.
Through this collaborative partnership, Rice creates a more resilient future for itself and the broader Houston community.