According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (U.S. EIA), education buildings are ranked third in terms of highest energy consumers when compared to all other commercial building types. This study focuses on the current building efficiency efforts at the University of Michigan and establishes a baseline of energy consumption on campus. The team analyzed the current energy supply and demand details by compiling resources from energy stakeholders across campus; reviewing current policies and organizational structure at the University; and quantifying energy consumption by building and building type based on monthly utility information.

With the assistance of energy stakeholders at the University of Michigan and professionals at Johnson Controls, the team was able to conduct a LEAN Analysis on 20 buildings with different functionality and operational hours across the campus, as well as conduct a sample building audit for the Dana building.

From this study—and from the help of energy stakeholders on and off campus—the team has developed high-level recommendations for existing energy efficiency activities on campus, and has identified specific recommendations as to how energy efficiency improvements can be achieved in the Dana building by 2030.