Goal 7: Affordable & Clean Energy

Goal: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

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.

Next-Generation Combustion Systems

Researchers in the College of Engineering are developing new, fundamental understandings of the chemical reactions that occur in combustion systems powered by alternative fuels. The work will provide a foundation for the design of sustainable combustion systems for transportation.

Energy Conservation Program

UGA reduced its energy use intensity per square foot by 22% between 2007 and 2020 through investments in the campus energy infrastructure, energy efficiency upgrades in campus buildings, and energy efficient design in new construction and renovations.

Energy Informatics

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.

Energy Conservation Research

Research conducted at UGA has revealed that increasing building temperatures reduces energy consumption by 19-40%, with no decrease in the comfort of building occupants. Professor of Practice Thomas Lawrence has conducted a number of studies on campus facilities that have examined areas such as energy efficiency and informatics, water efficiency, thermal comfort and indoor air quality.