Energy Cinser

ENERGY 2011 : The First International Conference on Smart Grids, Green Communications and IT Energy-aware Technologies

A Review of Energy Efficiency Initiatives in Post-Secondary Educational Institutes

David F. Motta Cabrera

University of Calgary Calgary, Canada Email: dfmottac@ucalgary.ca

Hamidreza Zareipour

University of Calgary Calgary, Canada Email: h.zareipour@ucalgary.ca

Abstract—In this paper, a review of the steps taken by some of the higher educational institutes around the world to increase their energy efficiency is presented. The paper also provided an overview of the state-of-the-art in managing energy consumption in computers. With the growing number of computers being employed in higher educational institutes, this paper discuses and present an example on how power management in computer labs and IT centres can help educational institutes improve their energy efficiency and carbon footprint. Index Terms—Energy efficiency, computer power management, educational institutes.

I. I NTRODUCTION The warming of the climate system is one the first main challenges of the twenty-first century. It has been argued that most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations [1]. Thus, rising up to the challenge of climate change demands an effort from society to reduce greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions using new ideas and tools to achieve sustainable development. Universities constitute a suitable target for environmentally friendly initiatives. Universities and colleges are usually attended by young people who consider environmental issues important to their lives [2] and are ready to accept changes. Due to the rising utility costs that dwarf the annual rate of inflation, post secondary education institutions are open to new sustainability programs that tackle the ever-escalating energy expenses [3]. The size of the potential target...