UGA is working to address UN Sustainable Development Goals through focused research, teaching, service, and stewardship on campus, across the state, and around the globe. Some examples of how students, faculty, and staff are addressing Goal #7 are listed below.
The Agrivoltaics Initiative housed in the Odum School of Ecology invites stakeholders in the transition to renewable energy to help improve the lives of all Georgians. It aims to solve the technical, ecological, legal and agricultural challenges of solar production while addressing the need for renewable energy and preserving our state’s agricultural industry. Agrivoltaics combines farming with solar energy production, offering a way to create stronger, more resilient communities.
UGA reduced its energy use intensity per square foot by more than 22% since 2007 through investments in the campus energy infrastructure, energy efficiency upgrades in campus buildings, and energy efficient design in new construction and renovations. Energy use in UGA facilities is responsible for an overwhelming majority of the University’s overall greenhouse gas emissions, so energy conservation and renewable energy are critical components of UGA’s Sustainability Plan.
UGA researchers have pioneered the field of energy informatics, which uses big data analysis to optimize energy use systems in skyscrapers, universities, factories, and among other large-scale energy users. Recently, they have turned their attention to greenhouse growing, with a 30% reduction in the cost of crop production.
Georgia Power owns and operates one megawatt of their solar resource on UGA property through a research partnership with the university. The energy generated feeds directly to the grid, while UGA retains the solar renewable energy credits (SRECs). The array generates over 1,600 MWh per year, offsetting about 0.5% of UGA’s consumption of electricity from the grid.
The Sustainability Certificate incorporates applied learning in interdisciplinary settings and equips students with critical skills to address global sustainability challenges through real-world solutions.
