Decarbonizing Miami's Campus: Energy-Based Emissions

Decarbonizing Miami’s Campus: Energy-based Emissions

Strategy: Further reduce energy consumption, complete the transition of building heating and cooling systems off steam; electrify campus systems to reduce burning fossil-fuels on site; generate electricity from solar energy (zero-emissions energy) on-site; procure purchased electricity from renewable sources; and offset the remainder.

Miami University’s path to carbon neutrality began with our historic residence halls (Elliott and Stoddard) in 2010, when they were converted off steam heating to geothermal heating and cooling. Miami’s Utility Master Plan provided a roadmap for the transformation of nearly all the building heating and cooling systems off steam.

Since 2008: Miami has reduced its energy-based carbon emissions by 51.5% and by 62.5% per gross square foot (as of FY23).

By 2040, Miami will decarbonize our energy-based emissions as much as possible, and offset the remainder.

Approximately 300 geothermal wells are situated under Western Upper Pond (pictured above) and Lower Pond (a first-of-its kind use). Coils of piping, buried under the sand of Upper Pond, act as a heat exchanger and can provide the heat exchange of 30 geothermal wells.

Construction fence banner for the North Geothermal Expansion project. Drilling for the first of 520 geothermal wells, 850 feet deep, began this summer (June 2024) under the front lawn of Millett Hall.

By 2040, achieve carbon neutrality for emissions associated with fuel combustion on campus, including electricity production and campus fleet (Scope 1). *Expand the Targets below to view the Actions

Goal 2: Achieve carbon neutrality for GHG emissions from purchased electricity (Scope 2)