Bard has pledged to achieve climate neutrality by 2035.
Kline / Library Field Update - a transformational step is underway to convert the Library’s heating & cooling system to geothermal (also known as ground-source heat-exchange). Fifty wells, each at a depth of ~500ft, will provide the thermal source & sink needed to heat and cool the building. Paired with a new heat pump plant (and new building controls automation system), the Library will no longer use fossil fuel (oil) for heating, and will see a large boost in building energy efficiency.- Did you know that more than 30 buildings on the Bard main campus already utilize geothermal? Together they make up almost 40% of Bard’s building squarefootage, and there are nearly 500 geo-wells across campus, hidden beneath the surface
- Bard has been an early adopter of geothermal technology, with the earliest systems dating back to the late 1980’s, and it is the default system for all new construction.
- The Library project will be the first conversion of an existing building on campus to geothermal, and it is an exciting step on the path to transform the campus energy infrastructure and achieve carbon-neutrality.
Energy Initiatives
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Bard’s ConsumptionThe operation and maintenance of Bard campus facilities consumes energy in order to provide occupants with electrical power; thermal comfort (space heating and cooling); hot water; food and domestic services; and safety and security.
Bard’s Consumption
The operation and maintenance of Bard campus facilities consumes energy in order to provide occupants with electrical power; thermal comfort (space heating and cooling); hot water; food and domestic services; and safety and security.
Stationary Combustion- Fuel: 285,631 gallons
- Propane: 143,260 gallons
- Diesel (generators): 8,836 gallons
- Gasoline: 43,693 gallons
- Diesel: 10,705 gallons
- Grid purchased: 18,878,078 kWh
- On-site solar: 300,000 kWh
- RECs (Midwest Wind): 2,000,000 kWh
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Path to Net-Zero EnergyThough Bard must unavoidably consume energy in order to function as an institution, the College is taking steps to minimize its energy consumption baseline, including:
Path to Net-Zero Energy
Though Bard must unavoidably consume energy in order to function as an institution, the College is taking steps to minimize its energy consumption baseline, including:
- Evaluating and implementing micro hydropower on existing small dams on campus (microhydrony.org/);
- Systematically upgrading existing campus facilities for energy efficiency (i.e., weatherization and insulation, high-efficiency lighting, controls automation for HVAC systems, and eliminating inefficient practices);
- Investing in on- and off-site renewable energy systems; and
- Replacing old fleet vehicles with new fuel-efficient models (and low/no carbon models, as they become available).
- Ultimately, any energy consumed by the college from nonrenewable sources will be offset through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and/or Carbon Offset Credits.
Energy, Facilities, and Climate Initiative
The main Bard campus in Annandale comprises more than 150 buildings totaling 1,260,000 square feet. In addition to the main campus, in 2016 Bard acquired the nearby Montgomery Place property. The campus has support infrastructure such as street and path lighting, facilities for freshwater distribution, a site for receiving and treating sewage, and a fleet of maintenance and security vehicles.
- Lighting: campus-wide upgrade of interior and exterior lighting to LED and high-efficiency fluorescent technology
- Geothermal: as an early adopter of geothermal heat-exchange technology in its building construction practices, Bard has incorporated the technology in all new construction since the mid 1990s. Today, roughly 40 percent of the total building square footage on campus utilizes geothermal heat exchange for space heating and cooling.
- On-site Solar: a large-scale, 280kW solar photovoltaic array near the athletic fields, solar thermal hot water systems at Keene and Tremblay Dormitories, and a 9kW solar electric system at South Hall Dormitory
- Controls Upgrades: several buildings have had complete overhauls of their HVAC controls, allowing for more automation and efficient use of equipment.
- Insulation/Weatherization: full or partial envelope renovations of several buildings, including added wall and attic insulation, new windows, or other air-sealing techniques
- Equipment Upgrades: as capital equipment reaches its end of life, it is replaced with a high-efficiency model.
Additional Partnerships
Bard has partnered with Project Drawdown to put into action the 100 climate change solutions. We participate annually in the Drawdown EcoChallenge, a three-week climate event.