Campus Life

On-campus students, employees encouraged to reduce electrical usage on June 24

A one-hour electrical load reduction test helps ensure Penn State is prepared for potential emergencies.

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From 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, Penn State will conduct its annual test of University Park’s capability to reduce its electricity load when called upon during national or regional power emergencies.

Last year’s test started with power loads already below the target due to lower on-campus occupancy; however, reductions of 13%, about 3.3 megawatts, were still achieved during the test hour. 

This year, with the University’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak again resulting in fewer people on campus and electric consumption already lower than normal, our approach will be similar to last year, including: 

  • HVAC systems will not be changed to an unoccupied cycle. Systems will remain in occupied mode so that ventilation can be provided in conformance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations.
  • Cooling setpoints will be increased from 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in noncritical spaces. Please note, research and critical spaces will remain unchanged during the test.
  • The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) will focus mostly on behind-the-scenes ways to reduce the overall electrical load during the one-hour test, including topping-off water towers and turning off well pumps where possible, and switching specific facilities to generator power.
  • University employees and students who are on campus during the one-hour test are asked to turn off all unnecessary lighting, office equipment, coffee pots, dehumidifiers and air conditioning.

This test event is part of an Emergency DR (Demand Response) program in which participants pledge to reduce their electrical energy usage by a specified amount during high-use periods of time. The objective of the program is to protect the day-to-day reliability of the regional grid upon which campus relies. This reliability is important for utility companies because it helps avoid a blackout. If successful, the University will receive compensation proportional to the load drop, and those funds will be used to support additional energy conservation projects. 

Employees are empowered to reduce lighting in public spaces. This includes all empty classrooms, corridors and hallways where lower light settings are available. Corridors and hallways in most University Park campus buildings are designed with lights that operate 24/7, which are connected to emergency power in case of normal power failure. These lights should illuminate the public spaces well enough to meet code requirements. Please contact OPP prior to the test if you have any questions concerning a particular space.

Anyone on campus from 4 to 5 p.m. June 24 during the electrical load reduction event should take the following actions:

  • Shut off all office equipment and lights that are not needed (e.g., computers, monitors, printers, copiers, coffee makers and task lighting).
  • Unplug any chargers not in use (e.g., iPad, tablet, digital camera and cellphones).
  • Keep exterior doors closed in air-conditioned buildings. Make sure operable windows are also closed.
  • Personal space heaters should not be used to compensate for excessive air conditioning and are not permitted in University buildings unless provided by OPP for extraordinary circumstances.

Everyone is asked to cooperate by turning off all unnecessary electrical loads during this one-hour test. For questions, contact Mike Prinkey, senior energy program engineer, at 814-863-4091.

Last Updated June 17, 2021