Carleton University’s Energy Master Plan (2021-2026) has a clear vision and objective: to develop a utility strategy for the campus to become carbon neutral by 2050. Building upon the university’s previous energy master plans and the successful results of the initiatives implemented at various levels of the campus, this Energy Master Plan takes a holistic view in developing a strategic approach that will transform the campus’s existing utility infrastructure into a low-carbon system.
The Executive Summary provides an overview of our progress to date, benchmarking information, and priority areas.
Energy Master Plan 2021-26 – Executive Summary
The master planning process considers and responds to the campus’s existing utility infrastructure conditions, future capital development plan (2022 Campus Master Plan), policies, programs, other strategic plans, and key performance drivers.
The development of this plan was an iterative, collaborative process with key inputs from the university’s Facilities Management and Planning (FMP) team, as well as professors and researchers. The plan outlines a carbon-neutral strategy for the campus, identifies short- and long-term action items, and provides an implementation framework that reinforces performance reporting. This holistic roadmap will support the campus in transforming its utility infrastructure system, providing increased reliability and safety to its operation, enabling the university to continue its academic and research excellence, and achieve its carbon reduction goals to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2050.
Energy Master Plan encompass the following objectives and goals:
1. Reduce Carleton University’s Environmental Footprint:
- Develop a phased plan to reduce GHG emissions and meet the Government of Canada reduction targets by 2030, and become a carbon-neutral campus by 2050
- Expand the current district energy infrastructure to support flexible campus growth
- Utilize innovative generation, distribution, and delivery technology to increase efficiency and lower environmental impacts
2. Reduce Utility Operational Costs
- Optimize utility operation costs
- Maximize the net economic benefit to Carleton through renewable energy generation
- Propose methods for substantial gains in building and thermal efficiencies within the production and distribution of building heating and cooling loads
3. Increase Reliability and Safety
- Increase system redundancy and resiliency
- Mitigate the impact of operational failures and interruptions
The Executive Summary provides an overview of our progress to date, benchmarking information, and priority areas. The Full Energy Master Plan expands upon this and provides comprehensive details that fully depict a roadmap for Carleton to become a carbon-neutral campus by 2050.
The previous Energy Master Plan for 2018-21 is available here: