Sustainability Efforts | Oklahoma State University

Doing Our Part

For Sustainable Energy

The need for sustainable energy is one of society’s most pressing problems. Facilities Management is working to be part of the solution on the OSU campus.

75% of energy used by OSU is supplied by wind energy from the Cowboy Wind Farm near Blackwell, Oklahoma

Updated Lighting

Updated lighting can make a difference in energy savings, both from the amount of energy required to operate the light to a reduction in the amount of heat put off by more energy efficient LED lights.

With input from the university architect, In-House Construction updated 558 lighting fixtures in the Fire Protection Publications Office and warehouse. The new lights produce less heat and noise as well as provide savings based on energy efficiency.

Fire Protection Publications Office lighting before renovation

Fire Protection Publications Office lighting after renovation

Energy Leadership Award

And Management Program

The Energy Management Program at OSU has set the bar and the example for other higher education institutions across the nation. Over the course of the program, more than $50 million in energy costs have been avoided.

Replacing antiquated equipment, like chillers, can lead to significant cost and repair savings.

Renewable Natural Gas Feasibility Study

OSU’s Energy Services division is proactive about energy savings, partnering with ONE Gas on a feasibility study. Organic waste, such as food waste and animal waste, off-gas methane during their natural decomposition. Studies show that raw, unburned, methane gas is a major contributor of greenhouse gasses.

The feasibility study will determine if methane from OSU’s current waste streams could be captured within an anaerobic digester and delivered back into a local pipeline in place of traditional, fossil-based methane, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the amount of fossil-based methane that would have been burned.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)

Energy Services uses cutting edge technology to control, monitor and track its utility equipment within the production plants on campus. Energy Services has designed and installed a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system across campus utility distribution systems. These interconnected smart meters allow staff to remotely read utility meters, see real-time energy use, trouble-shoot utility service issues through data analytics and have immediate utility outage alarming and response.