Climate/Energy
WPI uses energy to provide electricity and heating and air conditioning for the campus. In the past number of years WPI has installed, and continues to install, products that help the WPI community use less energy. For example, motion-sensored lighting is prevalent in many academic buildings on campus.
WPI has also committed itself to combating climate change. The university has signed a Carbon Commitment with Second Nature, an organization dedicated to accelerating climate action throughout higher education. WPI’s commitment is on turning knowledge into action to confront global challenges such as climate change. WPI’s on-going projects and efforts to reduce its carbon footprint provide many opportunities for student projects.
WPI’s Sustainable Energy Project Center
The purpose of this project center is to coordinate and support undergraduate student project work in all aspects of energy as well as across all areas of academic inquiry at WPI. It includes consideration of projects on the WPI campus as well as projects off-campus in collaboration with external organizations. Below are a few projects completed at this project center.
WPI’s Energy Research Group
WPI students and faculty collectively work on common research topics including fuel cells, batteries, photovoltaics, catalysis, biomass, and electric power systems.
WPI’s faculty, students and staff engage in a variety of initiatives to address sustainable buildings. Initiatives include the new academic building, work with LEED-Certified Buildings, the Green Revolving Fund (GRF), and the development of a zero net energy home for the Solar Decathlon in Morocco
LEED Certified Buildings
LEED is the most widely recognized green building rating system internationally. LEED certification offers a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-effective green buildings, providing environmental and social benefits. LEED addresses energy, water use, materials selection, managing waste, indoor environmental quality, and more through a series of credit categories. These are reviewed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The four LEED certifications are: Platinum (80+ points), Gold (60-79 points), Silver (50-59 points), and Certified (40-49 points).
WPI’s newest academic building, Unity Hall, built behind the Gordon Library, followed the LEED silver certification. Energy efficient features include lighting and EV charging ports.
In total, WPI has 5 LEED certified buildings:
- Bartlett Center (Certified)
- East Hall (Gold)
- Recreation Center (Gold)
- Faraday Hall (Silver)
- The Innovation Studio / Messenger Hall
A number of groups are working on energy related projects. These include both undergraduate projects and graduate level research. Some examples are as follows.