University purchases eco-friendly energy

Faced with the goal of cutting carbon emissions in half by 2020, the university purchased green energy from three local wind and solar sources that will soon provide part of the campus' power for the next two decades.

The University System of Maryland partnered with the state Department of General Services last year to launch the "Generating Clean Horizons" initiative — a 20-year power purchase agreement launched in 2008 with several green energy producers in the area. Soon, the solar plants and two wind farms will be operational.

The system purchased 10 megawatts — or 20 percent — of the annual energy produced by Roth Rock Wind Farm in Garrett County, Md., which began operating in July. Additionally, officials bought all 55 megawatts of West Virginia's Pinnacle Wind Farm, which will begin producing energy in December. The system also invested in a 15-megawatt solar project at Mount St. Mary's University set to launch next year.

The system will receive one-third of the energy output from each project, and Energy for Facilities Management Assistant Director Joan Kowal — who led this university's charge to obtain clean energy — said the sources will provide 15 percent of the campus' purchased energy. The green energy investments will offset nonrenewable energy sources the university currently employs, such as coal and natural gas.

Kowal added the long-term contracts will help meet the university's clean energy quota and support green power producers.

"We wanted to try to move forward with renewable energy projects in Maryland or close by," Kowal said. "I think making a direct commitment to purchase 20 years of renewable energy have helped finance and build these projects."

As this investment helps the university build an eco-friendly reputation, Kowal said she hopes it encourages other institutions to do the same.

"We're trying to commit to a sustainable model and encourage other entities to commit to similar agreements," Kowal said.

Kowal declined to comment on how much the university spent on the three power purchases.

"Our goal wasn't necessarily to reduce our cost, it was to commit to renewable energy," she said.

Office of Sustainability Director Scott Lupin said the addition of more renewable energy sources will help wean the university off of the "dirty energy" from coal and gas it currently uses.

"This is exactly what we need to do if we're going to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint," Lupin said. "What we're trying to do is increase the amount of renewable power we can buy so we reduce the amount of dirty power we're purchasing elsewhere."

While the clean power purchases would help offset carbon emissions, Lupin said, but he added the university will have to do more in the future to meet the multiple goals highlighted in its Climate Action Plan.

"If we're going to meet our climate commitment, we'll ultimately have to continue to buy renewable power or generate our own to reduce the power we purchase that's associated with greenhouse gas emissions," Lupin said. "We have to pursue opportunities as they arise and be involved in creating opportunities to do more."

The university is using a portion of the energy the three projects will produce, but this is not enough to sustain the entire campus. Thus, Kowal said they will continue searching for other clean sources to contract in the future, such as offshore wind and biomass facilities.

"We plan to continually go back out in the market," Kowal said. "We don't really have a cap on renewable energy — we'll keep going out as long as it makes sense."

saravia@umdbk.com