Making Smart Choices
Rethinking our energy is about saving it, making smart choices about how and when we use and store it, and supplying our needs with renewable sources. It also means positioning ourselves to be open and ready to incorporate new technology when the time is right and finding creative ways to finance it. As such, Berkeley is working to build a clean electrified campus energy system by 2028, and demonstrate novel technologies and a decarbonized microgrid at scale.
Opportunities for rethinking:
- As the main campus cogeneration plant and system is aging, there is a time-sensitive need to build a clean electrified campus energy system. Within eight years, Berkeley plans to switch to a new clean and resilient energy system that will phase out fossil fuels and demonstrate cutting-edge technologies and creative financing.
- The UC system renewable energy programs for electricity and biogas are being realized; Berkeley is thus gaining greater access to affordable carbon-free energy provided.
- By finding strategic ways to improve existing space use, Berkeley has reduced need for new building over the next decade, thereby increasing options for zero-net energy growth.
- Berkeley’s compact and urban setting offers ways for the campus to collaborate with the city and region on issues of mutual concern like vehicle electrification networks and community choice electricity procurement programs.
- The campus will have opportunity in the next decade to replace up to 80% of our aging fleet vehicles with more efficient, electric, and alternative fuel models. 35% to 50% of the fleet carbon emissions could be reduced and diesel combustion eliminated.
- The campus is building much needed student and faculty housing. This investment in housing near the campus will reduce fuel from commutes and make walking and biking the preferred way to get to campus.
- As the campus embarks on a new Long Range Development Plan, 21st century energy infrastructure planning will be integrated.
Energy Policy Drives Change
The UC Policy on Sustainable Practices helps to direct and enable change.
- Recent additions to the policy to support clean energy call for campuses to reduce energy-use intensity (energy per square foot per year) by 2 percent year over year through more efficient measures.
- By 2025 UC campuses are required to procure 100% carbon-free electricity.
- No new UC buildings or major renovations, except in special circumstances, will use on-site fossil fuel combustion, such as natural gas, for space and water heating.
The campus's Energy Use Policy provides a local framework to support energy-efficient decisions. The policy outlines energy conservation practices for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, equipment, construction and renovation projects.
Learn more about Berkeley energy
See our Energy Goals and Performance
Meeting carbon neutrality is all about rethinking energy. Find out more about our Carbon Reduction Performance and our Zero Carbon strategies.
Visit the Energy Office Website.
Engage to change how you use energy in our offices, classrooms, labs, and residence halls.
Understand our real-time electricity use and solar production on the campus Energy Dashboards.
Climate Consciousness
An interactive map demonstrates the carbon emissions in the Bay Area, neighborhood by neighborhood. What is your carbon footprint(link is external)?
Graphic credit: UC Berkeley News
Rethinking Lighting
Strategically thinking about how we light spaces saves energy on campus and beyond
Solar Power at Cal
UC Berkeley is now producing 1 MW of solar PV through recent installations at five locations on campus: the MLK Student Union, Eshleman Hall, the Recreational Sports Facility field house, the University Village carport solar system, and Jacobs Hall (shown below) Read more about UC Berkeley's solar power here.
Solar Array at Jacobs Hall