Buildings

Green Building Initiatives

Since 2001, Binghamton University has followed New York State’s executive orders to incorporate sustainability and energy efficiency in building design and construction. We utilize the guidelines provided by Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, ranking system in all new construction and major renovation projects.

LEED: Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design

According to US Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED  is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. LEED buildings save energy, water, resources, generate less waste and support human health; therefore, it is an integral part of Binghamton University's sustainability mission.

All new construction or major renovation projects at Binghamton University have been built to LEED Silver or higher standards. Some examples include:

o  LEED Platinum: Engineering and Science Building (learn more)

o  LEED Gold: Newing College's Broome, Endicott and Delaware halls, Dickinson Community’s Johnson, O’Connor, Rafuse and Digman halls, Innovative Technologies Complex’s Center of Excellence

o  LEED Silver: University Downtown Center, Newing College's Bingham Hall and Chenango Champlain Collegiate Center

o  LEED: Mountainview’s Windham and Cascade Halls

Living Building

The purpose of the living building project is to design and construct a "Living Building Challenge Certified" environmental classroom and research facility on the grounds of Nuthatch Hollow. The University plans for the project to go out to bid in fall 2019, with construction beginning in spring 2020. Learn more about the University's Living Building project at Nuthatch Hollow.

Living Building Video
Living Building Blog

Energy Management

• Since 1984, the University has been monitoring our energy use and building operations with a centralized Energy Management System (EMS). Over the past 25 years, our system has grown in its sophistication and size. There are now over 183,000 data points being monitored and / or controlled by our EMS.
• The EMS allows control and programming of each building's HVAC and lighting systems in accordance with how that building is being used/occupied. When a building isn't in use, systems are curtailed to conserve energy.
• It has incorporated critical research driven requirements to maintain space temperature, humidity and ventilation rates to meet special environmental needs.
• Binghamton University is required to reduce energy use upon the order of New York State’s Public Service Commission (PSC) when a state of emergency has been issued. During load curtailment periods, all except critical research spaces will experience slightly warmer than normal temperature.
• Check out our Energy Dashboard for electricity and water consumption by buildings and their category.

Solar

The University has numerous installations of solar panels across campus. Some of these locations include Susquehanna Community, the Information Technology Complex, and on top of all of our pay-by-space meter systems.

• In 2013, the University was awarded a High Performance Energy Efficiency award from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the construction of the Engineering and Science Building. This facility uses geothermal heating and cooling, natural lighting, passive solar energy (there is a 127kw installation on the building's roof), and the latest technology for heat recovery and humidity control.
• The Engineering and Science Building's two-story photovoltaic wall provides opportunities for research on solar technology being developed in the Center for Autonomous Solar Power and the Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing.