NCSU Energy Management - Contests

We try to encourage conservation through competition. We have coordinated the following contests:

Residence Hall Energy Competition - (CLICK HERE FOR DASHBOARD & RESULTS) This was the first energy competition on campus. It focused on electricity between the residence halls at the Honor's Quad (Bagwell, Becton, and Berry). The announcement of Residence Hall Energy Contest Winner occurred in the brickyard on January 15th during the "Energy Fair" with participants from NCSU Student Government, Energy Management, Progress Energy, and University Housing.

The three residence halls competed and the final results were based on percentage reduction in electricity use over a 50 day contest period (Nov 1 - Dec 20, 2007) after we established a baseline for each building over 31 days (Oct 1-31, 2007). This project was hoping to test a paper written by faculty at Oberlin College demonstrating the effectiveness of feedback on energy use to students in promoting saving energy. The paper demonstrated that providing students with their electricity data and incentives produced a decrease in energy usage. Our test used only a "low-resolution feedback" loop, but we still saw a reduction in electricity usage for each residence hall:

Bagwell - 7.32% Reduction
Becton - 6.51% Reduction
Berry - 4.05% Reduction

NC GreenPower supplied our environmental metrics, and Progress Energy donated 250 CFL bulbs to the winning residence hall, by way of the State Energy Office. Energy Management designed, coordinated and managed the contest. Bobby Mills President of Student Government helped us refine and promote it. Susan Grant Director of University Housing also assisted in the promotion of the contest.

NCSU vs UNC Water Conservation Competition - This challenge was initiated by Student Government President Bobby Mills and Chancellor Oblinger to UNC - Chapel Hill. The contest ran November, December, and January and measured three categories: largest decrease in gallons per student per day, lowest overall average of gallons per student per day, and the highest percentage reduction. Our students and Housing leaders should be commended for accepting the challenge and being proactive. Barry Olson in particular, coordinated the installation of 2,500 low-flow shower heads in a very short time period, in addition to installing low flow faucet aerators in all residence hall sinks. He and his group really deserve the credit and spotlight for this victory.

Final outcome to be announced during the ACC Tournament.

Greek Energy Challenge - Coming soon!