In case you have not heard, our campus is competing in the National Campus Energy Challenge. In addition we are also holding our own local competition between the various buildings on campus. Here are contest details:
1. Entry categories. There are two entry categories in the contest:
1) residence halls and 2) academic/administration buildings. For the purpose of this contest, “residence halls” are those buildings listed under the Residence Hall category at http://gustavus.edu/energy/ and “academic/administrative buildings” are all those listed under the Academic, Administrative, and Service Building category at http://gustavus.edu/energy/ with the exception of the Steam Plant where no data from last year exists.2. Scoring and contest period. Each building will compete on the basis of its electricity use (measured in kWH) during the days of Feb. 11-25, 2008 compared to the electricity use during the days of Feb. 12-26, 2007. The building in each category with the greatest percentage reduction in electricity use during the 2007 contest period compared to the reference period on 2008 will win. The two comparison periods were chosen to include an equal number of week and weekend days.
3. Allowed conservation methods. Building occupants are encouraged to use all means of conservation that do not endanger the safety of others or damage property unless those means are expressly forbidden in Section 4 below. Allowed methods of electricity use reduction include (but are not limited to) turning off unnecessary or excessive lighting, turning off or putting unnecessary electrical equipment on standby, replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, pushing all desks together to huddle under on single light bulb, and moving desks closer to windows.
4. Forbidden conservation methods. Electrical energy conservation measures that endanger safety or damage equipment are forbidden under
the rules of the contest (as well as under a whole lot of other rules) and will result in disqualification from the contest (and probably a few other nasty consequences). Forbidden conservation methods include (but are not limited to) cutting the power to the whole building, disabling safety equipment and security lighting, calling in sick when perfectly healthy, ordering all employees in your department to work in the dark, generating electricity with supplemental generators, and refusing to attend class to stay in the residence hall to turn off lights. Likewise, attempts to increase the electricity use of your competitors, such as going into their building and turning on all the lights at night, are forbidden in this contest.
5. Prizes. For the residence hall competition, the building with the largest energy reduction will receive the video game Rock Band in a form suitable for communal use in that residence hall. On the academic/administrative side, the winning building will be treated to a reception event (including food) to celebrate the accomplishment.6. Disputes and problems. For the purposes of this contest, interpretations of the contest rules and resolution of disputes will be made by the Director of the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation.
So far the race for first place among residence halls has been very close. Sorensen was the fist leader but last night they were knocked down to second place by Norelius. Third place was held by Pittman until last night when Uhler claimed 3rd place. Still plenty of time left for your residence hall to make a difference and possibly win the Rock Band prize. To see who the current leaders are, visit our competition page.