GVSU helps Grand Rapids reduce energy use

Grand Valley State University is a founding member of a newly launched initiative called 2030 District, with a goal to reduce energy use 50 percent by 2030 in downtown Grand Rapids.

Grand Valley is one of 39 members and has submitted DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus to participate in the initiative.

With a baseline of 2003, the goal for existing buildings is to reduce energy, emissions and water use 20 percent by 2020, 35 percent by 2025 and 50 percent by 2030. For new construction, the goals are 80, 90 and 100 percent for the same years.

Terry Pahl, facilities engineer at Grand Valley, said while the overall goal will be challenging, the university has already implemented several energy-efficient practices at DeVos Center since 2003.

"We have changed out HVAC controls and installed occupancy sensors and LED lights," said Pahl. "Meeting the goals of this initiative will take some strategic planning but our numbers at DeVos Center will help the district." 

Pahl said Grand Valley has a longstanding commitment to energy-efficient practices and sustainability. On all of its campuses, by the end of 2015, Grand Valley will avoid utility costs of at least $2.2 million annually through the use of energy-efficient practices and procedures. 

In 2015, Grand Valley was named one of the country’s most environmentally responsible colleges by The Princeton Review for the sixth year in a row and one of the country's greenest universities by the Sierra Club.