Energy at MSU
MSU has long been dedicated to working on energy research and on-campus initiatives. The links and videos below show some of MSU’s latest energy work.
Better Buildings Challenge
MSU is a partner in the Better Buildings Challenge, an initiative that calls on chief executive officers, university presidents and state and local leaders to make a substantial commitment to energy efficiency, and recognizes the organizations they lead for achieving results.
MSU, along with other partners, will work to help make university, commercial and industrial buildings in the United States more efficient by achieving a 20 percent reduction in energy use by 2020. It’s estimated that such an energy reduction would save American businesses more than $40 billion in energy costs. Visit the Better Buildings Challenge website for more information.
Renewable Projects
Anaerobic Digester
MSU's South Campus holds the Anaerobic Digester Study, part of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. The Digester works on converting waste to energy. View the website or watch the video.
Geothermal Energy - Bott Buidling
The construction of the new Life Sciences addition, the Bott Building, will include a geothermal field for energy to heat and cool the building. See how geothermal energy works, or watch the animation.
Solar Array - The Pavillion
MSU installed its first photovoltaic system at the Pavillion on campus. The syste is capable of producing 10kw of electricity, which helps light the interior of the 171,415 sq ft building that hosts hundreds of events throughout the year.
Solar Array - MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center
MSU's Surplus Store and Recycling Center has been LEED Silver certified, and one of its many gree features includes a rooftop photovoltaic solar panels that will produce 10 percent of the electricity for the building.
Biofuels - T.B. Simon Power Plant
The T.B. Simon Power Plant began using biofuels in 2008. Biofuels are produced from the burning of biomass, or various organic waste products. Recently, the power plant has received a permit to increase biofuel use to 30 percent in unit 4, and five percent biofuel in units 1 through 3.
