University of Virginia Greenhouse Gas Report Calendar Year

1

University of Virginia Greenhouse Gas Report

Calendar Year 2015

Executive Summary

In 2011, the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions University-wide (both the Academic Division and the Health System) 25% below 2009 levels by 2025, including growth. To track the progress, UVA’s greenhouse gas footprint is calculated and analyzed annually by the Office for Sustainability, and reviewed by other departments within Facilities Management. The following report explains UVA’s methodology, documents the current footprint, and provides an analysis of the inventory to target areas for further reductions to meet the 2025 goal.

In Calendar Year 2009, the baseline year for emissions analysis, the total greenhouse gas emissions footprint was 340,731

Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent (MTCDE). In 2015, emissions decreased to 323,844 MTCDE, resulting in a

4.96% reduction in emissions compared to CY2009, due in large part to a major initiative to continue replacing coal with

natural gas as the primary fuel used at the Main Heat Plant, a less harsh heating season, and continued action on Grounds.

It is important to note that the GHG emissions include the Health System, which contributes approximately 40% of the total

emissions produced by the University. Additionally, the expansion to the University’s offerings and scope has resulted in

growth in both building area and population. Since 2009, there has been a population increase of 2,497 students, faculty,

and staff (a 6.3% increase). To support the University’s growth, forty-two facilities have been constructed or acquired since

2009, resulting in an increase of 1.7 million square feet (an 11.4% increase) included within the boundaries defined for

UVA’s greenhouse gas inventory. Notwithstanding this expansion of buildings within the University’s portfolio, the efforts

undertaken to date would have generated a 14.8% reduction of emissions released in CY2009. The University’s

commitment to achieving this goal in light of the continuing expansion is driving heavy investments in expanding

sustainability efforts to enhance the University’s operations and building portfolio.

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

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Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Source

Electricity Fuel Operations Support Transportation UVA 2025 Goal

2

Contents

METHODOLOGY 3

BOUNDARY 3

GHG EMISSION SOURCES 3

INPUT DATA SOURCES 4

EMISSIONS 4

2015 EMISSIONS BY SOURCE 5

2015 EMISSIONS BY SCOPE 6

ELECTRICITY 7

FUEL (ON-GROUNDS STATIONARY SOURCES) 8

TRANSPORTATION 10

OPERATIONS SUPPORT 10

MOVING FORWARD 11

NORMALIZATION 12

BUILDING FOOTPRINT 12

POPULATION GROWTH 12

WEATHER 13

EFFECTS ON EMISSIONS 14

INCREASED BUILDING AREA 14

POPULATION GROWTH 15

ELECTRICITY 16

HEATING 17

TRANSPORTATION 17

APPENDIX A: TOTAL MTCDE RAW DATA AND SUMMATIONS 18

3

Methodology

The methods for a GHG inventory define how the boundary is established and what is included. UVA’s methodology is aligned with the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment guidance, which references The Climate Registry’s General Reporting Protocol and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. The Clean-Air Cool Planet (CA-CP) calculator version 8.0, which uses global warming potentials from the Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change’s Assessment Reports, was used to calculate emissions. CA‐CP is a science based, non‐profit, non‐partisan organization dedicated to finding and promoting climate change solutions. Their efforts focus on providing tools to help organizations calculate their greenhouse gas emissions and assisting organizations in finding ways to reduce these emissions.

CA‐CP calculates a carbon footprint by focusing on emissions in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and refrigerants with global warming potentials. Emissions of methane, nitrous oxide, and refrigerants are converted to metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in order to estimate total carbon emissions for the University. CA-CP focuses on the major emission sources on campus (Grounds), which include electricity, energy production on Grounds, transportation, and operational support.

Boundary

On the most basic level, University emissions include any emissions tied to the functioning of the University. These emissions are divided into three scopes and are illustrated further along in this document. An “Operational Control Approach” best aligns with the boundaries established for this inventory – “accounting for GHG emissions from operations under its operational control, which refers to the authority to introduce and implement operating policies at an operation.”1 Owned properties with electricity provided through a UVA substation, a direct electricity feed and a bill paid by Facilities Management, or thermal energy provided from one of UVA’s central heating or chiller plants with energy consumption assigned to the facility are included in the boundary, which includes buildings in the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, as well as some remote research buildings in the Commonwealth of Virginia (namely Mountain Lake Biological Station, and Anheuser-Busch Coastal Research Center). Leased properties, UVA Foundation properties, the College at Wise, and UVA property in other geographic locations are not currently included in the greenhouse gas footprint boundary.

GHG Emission Sources

UVA’s GHG emissions stem from four distinct sources: Electricity, Fuel, Transportation, and Operations Support. Electricity

includes purchased electricity as well as transmission and distribution losses. Fuel includes coal, natural gas, distillate oil,

and propane used on Grounds. Transportation includes direct emissions from fleet vehicles used as well as student, faculty,

and staff commuting. Operations Support includes fertilizer, refrigerants, solid waste, and wastewater emissions which are

all necessary for the functioning of the University. Based on standard greenhouse gas accounting protocols and definitions,

these emission sources are grouped into one of three “Scopes” based on the controllability of the emission by the

University.

Scope 1: This refers to any emissions directly coming from sources that are owned or controlled by the University. This

includes:

• On Campus Stationary sources (heating energy fuel consumption) o Natural Gas o Coal o Distillate Oil o Propane

• Direct transportation

1 Source: http://rs.acupcc.org/instructions/ghg/

4

o University buses o University fleet/vehicles o University jet

• Refrigerants and chemicals

• Fertilizer application

Scope 2: This refers to indirect GHG emissions that are a consequence of activities that take place within the organizational boundaries of the institution, but occur at sources owned or controlled by another entity. Since heating and cooling is included in scope 1, at UVA this only includes:

• Purchased electricity

Scope 3: This refers to all indirect emissions not covered in Scope 2. The following are included in UVA’s footprint:

• Commuting (faculty, staff, and students)

• Solid (landfill) waste

• Wastewater

• Transmission and Distribution losses

Scope 3 Emissions Sources Not Included: Study abroad travel, holiday-related travel, and work-related travel have not been included because University-wide reporting methods do not currently exist. Likewise, purchased paper has not been included because a method of accurately accounting for paper purchasing on a University-wide basis is not available.

Input Data Sources

Data input to the CA-CP calculator is derived from a variety of University personnel and sources. Fuel and electricity

consumption is metered and records retained by Facilities Management. Direct transportation fuel consumption is

maintained by Parking and Transportation. Refrigerant use is sourced from a variety of locations with Facilities Management

and Dining being the primary contributors. Fertilizers are used and logged by Landscaping (Facilities Management),

Athletics, and Intramural-Recreational Sports (IM-Rec).

Emissions

The University of Virginia

generated 323,844 MTCDE

of emissions in CY2015, a

4.96% reduction in net total

emissions since 2009 and a

3.77% reduction relative to

2014. The reduction relative

to 2014 is largely a result of

a more typical heating

season whereby the

University’s Main Heating

plant had natural gas more

available.

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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CD

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Total Net Emissions by Scope

Scope 1 Scope 2 Scope 3 Reduction Goal

5

2015 Emissions by Source

(in MTCDE) 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Electricity 181,879 187,408 186,201 185,181 182,958 184,236 189,544

Fuel 117,420 110,761 108,530 94,057 97,785 105,505 87,264

Transportation 40,974 41,660 42,299 43,462 44,676 44,881 44,250

Operations Support 457 288 816 717 816 1,913 2,786

These charts graphically display the sub-components of the total 2015 emissions by source. Electricity use on Grounds is the single largest source of emissions due to extensive need for lighting, cooling, and electrical equipment operation.

6

2015 Emissions by Scope

These charts reflect the total emissions reported for 2015 divided into the three Scopes defined by industry to categorize emissions. UVA’s analysis employs the Clean Air Cool Planet Campus Carbon Calculator. The University’s largest greenhouse gas emissions come from Purchased Electricity (55%), followed by On-Campus Stationary energy sources (27%), and then Commuting (12%):

7

Electricity

Electricity consumption continues to be the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at the University. UVA purchases

the vast majority of electricity from Dominion Virginia Power. This electricity is used primarily for cooling and core electrical

services such as lighting and plug loads. Transmission and distribution (T&D) losses stem from electricity (calculated as a

percentage of total electricity consumption), and are included in this category despite being tracked as part of scope 3

emissions. Due to the construction of new buildings, net emissions for electricity remain above 2009 levels.

Total Electricity Consumption (kWh) and Emissions (MTCDE)

2009 2014 2015 % change from ‘14 % change from ‘09

Purchased Electricity (kWh) 350,762,551 354,833,518 365,055,430 2.88% 4.07%

Purchased Electricity (MTCDE) 165,510 173,512 178,510 2.88% 7.85%

T&D Losses (MTCDE) 16,369 10,724 11,033 2.88% -32.6%

Total MTCDE 181,879 184,236 189,544 2.88% 4.21%

There has been a 4.1% increase in total

electricity use compared to 2009. Over the

same period, total emissions attributed to

purchased electricity have seen a 4.2%

increase due to changes in emissions factors

and transmission and distribution loss factors

over time.

UVA has ongoing initiatives to curb the use of

electricity on Grounds. 2015 saw continued

success in implementing solid state lighting

technology in exterior lighting, building retrofits

through Delta Force projects, and new

construction and renovation projects.

Furthermore, the new Facilities Management

Shop Support and Office Building incorporated a 15 kW photovoltaic array on the roof. Additionally, continuous deployment

of building occupant energy awareness training along with specialized events throughout the year have contributed to

UVA’s goal for diminishing carbon emissions from purchased electricity.

Cooling

The University of Virginia consumes a lot of energy for cooling buildings. The primary means of cooling on Grounds is using

chilled water produced by electrically driven, water-cooled chillers housed in multiple chiller plants. In addition to energy, the

chiller plants are the largest water consumer, needing make-up water for the cooling towers. A variety of other direct-

expansion cooling systems are employed by UVA’s portfolio. These systems range from window-mounted air conditioning

units, to dedicated building-level chillers; energy use of these non-centralized cooling systems are captured by building level

electricity meters and cannot be isolated.

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

EElectricity Emissions by Source

Electricity T&D Losses

8

Chiller Plant Consumption (kWh) and Emissions (MTCDE) 2009 2014 2015 % change '14 % change '09

Electricity Consumed (kWh) 65,755,529 73,218,038 72,399,623 -1.12% 10.1%

Total Emissions (MTCDE) 33,819 37,879 37,456 -1.12% 10.8%

Electricity consumed by the central chiller plants has increased by 10.1% since 2009 as a result of building additional

facilities and connecting previously stand-alone buildings to a central chiller plant. Improvements at the chiller plants in 2015

are mostly a result of the team’s desire to improve continuously. Significant improvements are achieved by way of

numerous small improvements and changes that occur daily in a true example of the whole being far greater than the sum

of its parts. A few significant projects that improved energy

efficiency include expanding the Automatic Tube Cleaning

System at the South Chiller plant, interconnecting the

Newcomb and Central Grounds chilled water loops,

operating and maintaining the newly renovated North

Grounds Mechanical plant, upgrading the South Chiller

Plant cooling towers, and collaborating with engineering

students to review operation of the Thermal Storage tank.

Since 2009, chiller plant efficiencies have improved by

18.5%.

Fuel (On-Grounds Stationary Sources)

The majority of UVA’s direct emissions (Scope 1) stem from On-Campus Stationary fuels used for heating. These sources include coal, natural gas, distillate oil, and propane gas. In 2015, UVA successfully diminished coal use to 30% of the total heating energy source, replacing it with natural gas to keep up with heating needs. More significantly, the heating plant completely eliminated the use of coal during the summer months (June-September), the first time this occurred since 2009. This fuel switch resulted in the biggest emissions reduction at the University due to the cleaner combustion of natural gas compared to coal as evidenced by the charts below.

Total Fuel Consumption (MMBtu) 2009 2014 2015 % change from ‘14 % change from ‘09

Coal 857,266 534,641 304,842 -43.0% -64.4%

Natural Gas 481,505 936,622 1,023,679 9.29% 113%

Distillate Oil 122,361 45,910 36,704 -20.1% -70.0%

Propane Gas 2,177 3,337 2,974 -10.9% 36.6%

Total MMBTU 1,463,310 1,520,509 1,368,199 -10.0% -6.5%

Total Fuel Emissions (MTCDE)


Coal 81,445 50,754 28,939 -43.0% -64.5%

Natural Gas 26,735 51,130 55,411 8.37% 107%

Distillate Oil 9,105 3,414 2,729 -20.1% -70.0%

Propane Gas 135 207 185 -10.9% 36.5%

Heating MTCDE Total 117,420 105,505 87,264 -17.3% -25.7%

3.5163.912

4.352 4.283 4.4163.969 4.167

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Coefficient of Performance

9

A 25.7% reduction in net emissions

due to heating has occurred since

2009, 17.3% in the past year. As

illustrated, this reduction is mainly due

to the increased use of natural gas

instead of coal to manage the

University’s energy load. The

discrepancy in heating emissions

between 2013 and 2014 is due to a

colder than normal winter, which

caused a shortage in natural gas

supply during the coldest peaks

resulting in interruptions in UVA’s gas

service to the Main Heating Plant

whereby coal was fired in the boilers.

While fuel switching has significantly reduced emissions from stationary sources, additional actions contributed to the

successes on this front including: replacement of boilers at the North Grounds Mechanical Plant with low temperature hot

water generators and heat recovery chillers, burner replacements at Massie Road Plant, and the continued success of the

Delta Force program. The Energy and Utilities infrastructure projects, including the utility tunnel installation along

McCormick Road, continued making progress with the goal of migrating from high pressure steam to medium temperature

hot water around Grounds to improve heating efficiency whereby reducing carbon emissions.

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Heating GHG Emissions by Source

Distillate Oil (#1-4) Natural Gas LPG (Propane) Coal (Steam Coal)

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MM

BT

U

x 10

000

Heating Source Energy ConsumptionDistillate Oil (#1-4) Natural GasLPG (Propane) Coal (Steam Coal)

0.0802 0.08010.0782

0.0693

0.0652

0.0694

0.0638

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

E/M

MB

TU

Emissions per Energy Used

10

Transportation

The fleet portion of emissions includes the University Transit System buses, University-issued cars and maintenance vehicles, and the University jet; the University has direct control of these sources and are therefore part of Scope 1 emissions. The remainder of the transportation emissions include student, faculty, and staff commuting. These emissions are included in Scope 3 for they are indirectly tied to the University and are calculated from the approximate miles students, faculty, and staff travel to and from the University each day. Overall, emissions from transportation are still greater than 2009 levels despite reductions in emissions due to commuting in the past year. UVA has been establishing campaigns and incentives to promote more sustainable commuting practices while continuing to offer complementary programs such as operating the University Transit Service and contributing a stipend to the Charlottesville Area Transit (CAT) to help faculty, staff, and students get to destinations once arriving on Grounds in multi-occupant vehicles or via other sustainable commuting options. The Cavpool program – for faculty/staff carpools – is the most common sustainable, non-single occupant vehicle, commuting means and saw increased registration by 9 percent from 2014 to 2015. Also, 2015 saw full deployment of UVA’s bicycle sharing program to further increase sustainable transportation options once individuals arrive on Grounds.

Total Transportation Emissions (MTCDE)


Fleet (Direct) 3,687 3,815 3,907 2.41% 5.98%

Student Commuting 2,419 2,642 2,580 -1.72% 8.30%

Faculty/Staff Commuting 34,868 38,424 37,763 -2.36% 6.63%

Population 39,700 41,880 42,197 -1.76% 8.19%

Commuting GHG Intensity per Capita 0.94 0.98 0.96 0.76% 6.29%

Operations Support

Operations support generates emissions from the release of refrigerants and other chemicals into the atmosphere, off-gassing from fertilizers, mitigation of methane production by landfilling solid waste to facilities that capture the methane and use for power generation, and emissions associated with treating wastewater. While operations support emissions are a minimal overall component of the total emissions portfolio generated by UVA, they have increased significantly since 2009. The primary contributor is the release of refrigerants and chemicals. In 2015, there was a significant refrigerant leak from a failed chiller at Clemons Library which released approximately 665 pounds of R11 refrigerant to the atmosphere. Two new centralized chillers were under construction at the time of the failure which will replace four remaining old chillers in Alderman Library and Newcomb Hall, along with the failed chiller in Clemons Library. As UVA continues to centralize cooling by connecting buildings with previously stand-alone chillers to central chilled water plants, the global warming potential of the refrigerants employed for building conditioning are being reduced due to advances in technology used by the newer equipment in the plants. Additionally, the centralization of the chillers will result in more frequent monitoring for refrigerant leaks by individuals likely to see and prevent problems before they become major issues.

Total Operations Support Emissions (MTCDE)


Refrigerants & Chemicals 418 1,927 2,838 47.2% 578%

Agriculture 37 51 26 -48.8% -29.5%

Solid Waste -224 -222 -237 6.77% 5.75%

Wastewater 226 156 159 1.93% -29.4%

Operations Support MTCDE Total 457 1,913 2,786 45.6% 509%

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2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Transportation MTCDE Emissions

Direct Fleet Faculty/Staff Commuting Student Commuting

11

Moving Forward

Heating from fuel has been the sector with the most significant decrease in emissions despite growth, due to increased

efforts to reduce coal use. Further reductions can be achieved with more aggressive reductions of coal use, the greater

utilization of alternative energy, additional plant efficiency projects, and continuing to expand and implement energy

efficiency projects. With electricity (and its transmission and distribution losses) accounting for 59% of the University’s

emissions, much opportunity in reductions exists. Since electricity is the entirety of Scope 2 emissions for its production is

controlled by the University’s electricity provider, Dominion Virginia Power, their fuel mix impact is significant. Currently,

plant-level (both chilled water and heating) efficiency projects, retro-commissioning projects such as Delta Force, and re-

lamping projects have kept emissions from skyrocketing due to growth.

With 9 years left to meet the 25% by 2025 reduction goal, combatting new emissions due to growth is feasible, but will

require deliberate planning, especially with a large hospital project coming online before 2025. An Environmental Footprint

Reduction Plan was written in 2011, and will be updated via a new Energy and Emissions Action Plan to be released during

the third quarter of CY2016. The new Energy and Emissions Action Plan will project growth as well as the impact of

potential GHG reduction strategies being considered for implementation at the University.

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Normalization

The University’s goal for emissions reductions are irrespective of external influences. As such, the presentation of emissions

do not consider the physical growth in building area and increased population of the University required to support the

expansion of UVA’s offerings, scope, and implementation of its mission; nor year-to-year deviations in weather. However, to

better understand the impacts of the actions taken to curb emissions, influence of growth, and impact due to variations in

weather conditions, the following section documents the changes to factors and presents the data normalized for increased

building area, increased population, and changes in weather conditions.

Building Footprint

The University of Virginia spans roughly 1,700 acres within the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Since 2009, 42 new buildings have been constructed, acquired, causing an increase in gross square footage consuming energy.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

GSF 14,971,438 15,143,773 15,469,891 15,664,160 16,300,299 16,367,753 16,671,233

Annual % Change -- 1.15% 2.15% 1.26% 4.06% 0.41% 1.85%

% Change from 2009 -- 1.15% 3.33% 4.63% 8.88% 9.33% 11.4%

With about a net increase of 1.7 million gross square feet since 2009, 11%, emissions would have been significantly higher

without projects implemented to achieve reductions.

Population Growth

With the expansion of the university, the population has also grown. Between 2009 and 2015, the University has seen a 6.3% increase in the population of students, staff, and faculty2. This steady growth is expected to continue in the future. All normalization for growth (either per capita or per GSF) uses these values:

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Population 39,700 39,226 39,835 39,761 40,195 41,880 42,197

Annual % Change -- -1.19% 1.55% -0.19% 1.09% 4.19% 0.76%

% Change from 2009 -- -1.19% 0.34% 0.15% 1.25% 5.49% 6.29%

2 Population Numbers Reported by the UVA Office of Institutional Assessment and Studies

14,971,438 15,143,773 15,469,891 15,664,160

16,300,299 16,367,753 16,671,233

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Total GSF

13

UVA’s Institutional Assessment &

Studies (IAS) is tasked with developing

projections of future enrollment. The

study completed in 2015 indicates an

even greater influx of students in the

next several years (a 3.2% increase by

2022 from 2015).

Weather

Weather generally affects energy use by increasing or decreasing the heating and cooling loads on buildings. Heating and

Cooling Degree Days (HDD, CDD) are calculated values using the average daily temperature to quantify the relative

hotness and coldness of a period of time. As displayed in the following charts, there have been a fairly significant swing in

heating and cooling intensity throughout the greenhouse gas reporting period.

1,148

1,792

1,470 1,437

1,184 1,163

1,396

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Cooling Degree Days

4,3494,256

3,899

3,567

4,4434,582

4,012

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Heating Degree Days

19,000

20,000

21,000

22,000

23,000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Stu

dent

s

Approved Fall Census Headcount On Grounds

Total On Grounds Projected

14

Effects on Emissions

Increased Building Area

The following documents how the University’s expansion has affected the energy use

2009 2014 2015 % change from

‘14 % change from

‘09

Net Total MTCDE 340,731 336,535 323,844 -3.77% -4.96%

Total GSF of Buildings3 14,971,438 16,367,753 16,671,233 1.85% 11.4%

MTCDE/GSF 0.023 0.021 0.019 -5.52% -14.6%

With about a 1.7 million square feet or 11.4% increase in the building are contained within the boundary defined for the GHG inventory since 2009, there was an additional 33,000 MTCDE of emissions-generated. This essentially represents a 9.8% increase to the overall emissions reduction goal. When analyzing emissions on a per gross square foot basis (greenhouse gas intensity), there has been a 14.7% reduction from 2009 to 2015.

Subtracting the emissions from the new facilities, the net emissions UVA would have produced is as follows:


MTCDE With Growth 340,731 336,535 323,844 -3.77% -4.96%

MTCDE Without Growth 340,731 305,751 290,453 -5.00% -14.8%

If the building area contained within the scope of the inventory remained the same as in 2009, Total GHG emissions would have seen a 14.8% reduction.

3 Total GSF includes all owned, active, educational and medical (agencies 207 and 209), tied to the Main Grounds. Leased properties, UVA Foundation properties, the College at Wise, and UVA property in other geographic locations are not currently included.

0 551

6,864

14,70017,204

30,78533,391

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MTCDE due to Buildings added since 2009

260

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350

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

ET

hous

ands

Growth vs. No GrowthMTCDE without Growth MTCDE with Growth

0.02280.0225

0.0218

0.02060.0200

0.0206

0.0194

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MTCDE/GSF

15

Population Growth

Along with building growth, population growth also has a significant impact upon greenhouse gases. When normalizing for

population growth, emissions have actually been on the decline per person.


MTCDE Total 340,731 336,535 323,844 -3.77% -4.96%

Population 39,700 41,880 42,197 0.76% 6.29%

MTCDE/person 8.58 8.04 7.67 -4.49% -10.6%

Normalizing total net emissions to account for population, GHG intensity (per capita) has been reduced by 10.6% from

2009 levels.

8.588.67

8.48

8.13 8.128.04

7.67

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

E/P

opul

atio

n

Total GHG Emissions Per Person

16

Electricity

Analyzing the intensity of electricity use at the university to

facilitate the normalization of emissions and isolate the

change in emissions from the change in gross floor area,

electricity emissions have seen a 6.4% reduction since

2009, despite an 11.4% increase in gross square footage.

Cooling

In 2015, average daily temperatures were significantly elevated compared to 2014 and 2009 as evidenced by the number of

cooling degree days. These warmer temperatures resulted in an increased cooling load in 2015. To isolate the energy used

for cooling from the changes in weather, the cooling energy output from the chiller plants was normalized against the

cooling degree days. This normalization process shows the University has actually seen a reduction in emissions from the

chiller plants since 2009. When normalizing for the amount of energy consumed by the University (MTCDE per MMBTU),

cooling emissions continue to decrease. Comparing with 2009 levels, the 2015 emissions have seen a 15.1% reduction.

2009 2014 2015 % change '14 % change '09

Cooling Degree Days (CDD) 1,148 1,163 1,396 20.1% 21.6%

Chiller Plant Energy Sold (MMBTU) 788,804 991,466 1,029,286 3.81% 30.5%

Total Emissions (MTCDE) 33,819 37,879 37,456 -1.12% 10.8%

MTCDE/CDD 29 33 27 -17.7% -8.92%

MTCDE/MMBTU 0.0429 0.0382 0.0364 -4.75% -15.1%

However, when plotting the normalized chiller plant

emissions for the entire duration UVA has been

working to achieve the carbon reduction there is a

slight uptick in 2014 and 2015 chiller plant

emissions relative to 2011-2013, despite the

improved chiller plant efficiencies as previously

discussed.

Performing a linear regression analysis, whereby a

mathematical model is created based on the

relationship of two variables, aids in determining

whether there is a strong correlation between the

two parameters by employing the root mean square

(R-square) statistical analysis. A strong correlation

between the two parameters results in an R-square

greater than 0.75. Plotting electricity input to the

chiller plants respective to weather (defined by

cooling degree days) generates an R-square of

only 0.0233 indicating that weather is not the

primary diver of energy use. While warmer weather

increases the cooling load, the additional

connected loads as a result of the continued action

to centralize cooling operations on Grounds is the

cause of the uptick seen in the normalized cooling

emissions.

R² = 0.0233

62,000

64,000

66,000

68,000

70,000

72,000

74,000

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Chi

ller

Pla

nt E

lect

ricity

(M

Wh)

Cooling Degree Days (CDD)

Annual Cooling Energy Use Respecitve to Weather

0.04287

0.03876

0.03484 0.035400.03434

0.03821

0.03639

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

E/M

MB

TU

Chiller Plant Emissions per MMBTU Sold

0.0121 0.01240.0120 0.0118

0.0112 0.0113 0.0114

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

E/G

SF

Electricity GHG Intensity per GSF

17

Heating

2015 had less need for heating due to a warmer winter

compared with the prior two years. While weather is a partial

cause for some emissions reduction, the plurality of emissions

reductions between 2014 and 2015 was due to firing more

natural gas instead of coal at the main heating plant. Both the

absolute reduction in emissions as well as the intensity by which

the emissions, determined by isolating the effect of weather by

normalizing the fuel emissions by heating degree days, have

decreased substantially.

The following table documents these changes seen in

emissions both absolutely as well as when normalized by

heating degree days.

Heating Emissions

2009 2014 2015 % change '14 % change '09

Heating Degree Days (HDD) 4,349 4,582 4,012 -12.4% -7.75%

On-Campus Stationary (MTCDE) 117,420 105,505 87,264 -17.3% -25.7%

MTCDE/HDD 27.00 23.03 21.75 -5.54% -19.4%

Transportation

When accounting for population growth, commuting GHG emissions are generally on par with 2009, with a slight 1.8%

increase from 2009, after going through a spike between 2012 and 2014.

Since the fleet is not significantly affected by

population growth, it was not included in the

per capita analysis. Despite this, direct

transportation has seen a 6.0% increase in

emissions since 2009.

27.00 26.03

27.84

26.37

22.01

23.03

21.75

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

E/H

DD

Fuel Emissions/Heating Degree Days

0.939

0.9570.963

0.994

1.014

0.981

0.956

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

MT

CD

E/P

opul

atio

n

Commuting GHG Intensity per Capita

18

Appendix A: Total MTCDE Raw Data and Summations

All GHG Emissions for 2009:

Select Year --> 2009 Energy

Consumption CO2 CH4 N2O eCO2

MMBtu kg kg kg Metric Tonnes

Scope 1 Co-gen Electricity - - - - -

Co-gen Steam - - - - -

Other On-Campus Stationary 1,463,310.2 116,651,246.1 13,009.8 1,488.9 117,420.2

Direct Transportation 53,514.9 3,620,906.7 456.5 182.0 3,686.5

Refrigerants & Chemicals - - - - 418.4

Agriculture - - - 125.1 37.3

Scope 2 Purchased Electricity 1,195,928.7 164,810,023.3 3,319.7 2,070.4 165,510.0

Purchased Steam / Chilled Water - - - - -

Scope 3 Faculty / Staff Commuting 476,025.6 33,987,783.8 7,054.5 2,363.3 34,868.4

Student Commuting 32,524.3 2,390,607.9 197.3 79.3 2,419.2

Directly Financed Air Travel - - - - -

Other Directly Financed Travel - - - - -

Study Abroad Air Travel - - - - -

Student Travel to/from Home (OPTIONAL) - - - - -

Solid Waste - - (8,961.6) - (224.0)

Wastewater - - 532.5 712.3 225.6

Paper - - - - -

Scope 2 T&D Losses 118,278.7 16,299,892.4 328.3 204.8 16,369.1

Offsets Additional -

Non-Additional -

Totals Scope 1 1,516,825.1 120,272,152.7 13,466.3 1,796.0 121,562.4

Scope 2 1,195,928.7 164,810,023.3 3,319.7 2,070.4 165,510.0

Scope 3 626,828.6 52,678,284.1 (849.0) 3,359.7 53,658.3

All Scopes 3,339,582.3 337,760,460.1 15,937.0 7,226.1 340,730.7

All Offsets -

Net

Emissions: 340,730.7

19







Other On-Campus Stationary 1,520,509.1 104,990,508.1 10,091.7 879.3 105,504.8


Refrigerants & Chemicals - - - - 1,927.4

Agriculture - - - 172.1 51.3









Solid Waste - - (8,876.4) - (221.9)

Wastewater - - 369.0 493.6 156.3

Paper - - - - -

Scope 2 T&D Losses 74,775.7 10,680,624.1 207.6 129.5 10,724.4


Non-Additional -

Totals Scope 1 1,573,106.6 108,739,425.3 10,534.9 1,236.3 111,298.7

Scope 2 1,209,808.7 172,803,727.5 3,358.2 2,094.5 173,511.8

Scope 3 634,594.6 50,762,231.1 (464.4) 3,268.8 51,724.7

All Scopes 3,417,509.9 332,305,383.9 13,428.7 6,599.6 336,535.2

All Offsets -

Net


20







Other On-Campus Stationary 1,368,199.2 86,893,790.8 8,204.6 554.7 87,264.2


Refrigerants & Chemicals - - - - 2,837.5

Agriculture - - - 88.1 26.3









Solid Waste - - (9,477.2) - (236.9)

Wastewater - - 376.1 503.1 159.3

Paper - - - - -

Scope 2 T&D Losses 76,929.8 10,988,307.6 213.5 133.2 11,033.3


Non-Additional -

Totals Scope 1 1,422,379.9 90,732,838.7 8,673.3 832.2 94,035.2

Scope 2 1,244,660.4 177,781,793.1 3,455.0 2,154.8 178,510.3

Scope 3 626,882.8 50,363,739.4 (1,189.8) 3,235.8 51,298.3

All Scopes 3,293,923.0 318,878,371.1 10,938.5 6,222.8 323,843.8

All Offsets -

Net


Documents

University of Virginia Greenhouse Gas Report Calendar Year