Labs21 Approach to Climate Neutral Campuses
Labs for the 21st Century (Labs21) is a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Member laboratories span the Federal Government, academic institutions, and the private sector.
Labs21 helps laboratory members reduce energy use. This includes a whole-building approach to energy efficiency in laboratory buildings. This Web site takes that approach a step further in carrying out campus-wide energy- and carbon-reduction strategies.
Laboratories: A Big Part of Campus Energy Consumption
As campuses conduct greenhouse gas inventories, they discover that laboratory buildings are typically the largest segment of campus energy and carbon impact. Laboratory facilities represent both a challenge to climate-neutral targets and a growing opportunity for testing low-energy technologies. Laboratory buildings, which have energy intensive ventilation requirements and other health and safety concerns, use far more energy per square foot than typical office buildings.
Instead of focusing on building components, the Labs21 approach tackles energy consumption at a laboratory from a whole-building perspective. This systems approach has proven effective in achieving greater energy efficiency, as demonstrated in Labs21 case studies.