As summer heats up, consider ways to conserve energy

Peak demand for the university's power plant generally hits during the first weeks of the fall semester. However, recent high temperatures are a good reminder of the importance of conserving energy during the summer months.

Simple steps, such as turning off the lights when you leave a room and adjusting window blinds or curtains to block heat, can make a difference, particularly during the hottest part of the day (noon-6 p.m.). ISU environmental health and safety team recommends the following steps to conserve energy:

• Unplug unused electronics or use a power strip to easily turn them off.
• Enable sleep mode on computers, monitors and turn off equipment at end of day.
• Use energy-efficient devices or natural light when possible.
• Lower fume hood sashes and turn off interior lights in laboratories when not in use.
• Keep windows and doors closed when HVAC is running.
• Report HVAC issues (hot/cold areas, units running after hours) to facilities planning and management, 515-294-5100.

If your office has a controllable thermostat, adjust the setpoint to a higher temperature in unoccupied spaces.

Need to conserve extends beyond campus

Making conservation efforts a regular habit will benefit campus when peak alerts require the power plant to take steps to meet demand across the electric grid. Iowa State's utility services is part of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, the electric grid operator for 15 states in the central United States.

If the electricity supply starts to near capacity during extended periods of high temperatures, grid operators will issue a "maximum generation warning," notifying utility services in the network that maximum output may be needed to meet demand.

While no action was required for a warning issued on June 23, utility services is prepared should it be asked to respond. If there is a need in the future, utility services may need to reduce chilled water production for campus buildings.