MIT makes Institute-wide efforts to conserve resources in the interest
of creating a more sustainable campus.
MIT makes Institute-wide efforts, implemented by the Department
of Facilities, to conserve resources in the interest of creating
a more sustainable campus.
In 1995 MIT received the American Institute of Plant Engineers'
Facilities Management Excellence (FAME) Award of Merit for introducing
a highly effective water reclamation and reuse system in a campus
building. The American Institute of Plant Engineers bestowed the
Facilities Management Excellence award for MIT's installation of
a water capture and reclamation system in Building 13. This reduced
water consumption from 27.6 million gallons a year to 3.6 million.
Cost of the project was $140,000. Annual savings are $160,000.
Two MIT staff members from Facilities recently received individual
environmental awards. Utilities Engineer Raul Varela was recognized
for steadily reducing water use through water conservation programs.
He oversaw the installation of low-flow showerheads and toilets,
the replacement of "once-through" cooling equipment, and the installation
of a centralized irrigation system. His initiatives save MIT 70,000,000
gallons of water per year.
Repair and Maintenance Supervisor Warren Scott was honored for
his initiative in environmental projects, which included changing
the solution in all of the washers of repair and maintenance parts
to one that is more environmentally friendly and less hazardous
to health.
Energy Conservation
Energy conservation is a priority at MIT spearheaded by the Department
of Facilities' efforts to conserve the energy it uses to serve
the on-campus environment.
Energy conservation is a priority at MIT, where the Department
of Facilities initiates and supports a variety of efforts to conserve
the energy it uses to serve the on-campus environment.
In 1996 the EPA awarded MIT its Partner of the Year award for
the Institute's Green Lights program. The Department
of Facilities installed T-8 lamps, compact fluorescent bulbs,
and electronic ballasts throughout the campus, improving lighting
while reducing peak power by 2,500 kilowatts and saving 12.5 million
kilowatt per year overall. 200,000 lamps and 125,000 ballasts were
replaced in 80,000 fixtures. Old lamps and ballasts were recycled,
even though that was not a regulatory requirement at that time.
MIT's central production of electricity, steam, and chilled water
is extremely energy-efficient. As such, it is a cornerstone of the
Institute's environmental strategy. Even the waste heat from the
boilers is used, to warm buildings in winter and chill water in
summer.
The co-generation plant uses state-of-the-art technology with
a new gas turbine, developed at MIT, that has cut pollution emissions
in half. The Facilities Control System (FCS), an automated building
control system, ensures that classrooms, conference rooms, and other
gathering places are only heated, cooled, and ventilated when they
need to be (i.e., when people are using them).
At MIT energy conservation is a multi-faceted, ongoing effort.
Its aggressive pursuit by Facilities will no doubt continue to result
in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of campus operations
of all kinds.
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