Butler University Decarbonization Roadmap
HEAPY was selected to produce a Decarbonization Roadmap for Butler University, aligning with the institution’s imperative to manage climate risk and opportunity. This roadmap served as a strategic foundation for Butler University to achieve its ambitious goals of reducing Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050.
To achieve this goal, HEAPY conducted due diligence, familiarizing ourselves with all previous work, studies, projects, and initiatives, alongside relevant campus data, to understand the current baseline and benchmark performance, crucial for defining the trajectory required to reach net-zero targets.
Once that stage was complete, our firm conducted a series of scenario analyses, assessing the viability of various technological applications and approaches tailored to Butler’s unique infrastructural challenges and opportunities. These analyses adhered to the Natural Order of Sustainability approach, focusing on Strategic Energy Management, Thermal Transition, Onsite Electrification & Production, and Offsite Zero Emissions Energy Procurement.
Robust economic analyses were provided, evaluating costs and benefits from financial, environmental, human health, and resiliency perspectives. Specific recommendations for each initiative were developed, considering the optimal mix of internal and external funding, staffing, resources, potential incentives, partnerships, and business models. Options for creative project financing, including the utilization of Federal or other third-party funds, were also explored. The preferred University pathways were prioritized based on technical feasibility, economic analyses, and University goals, subject to review and approval by key University stakeholders.
HEAPY’s consulting team collaborated with Butler project leadership to determine the optimal audiences and presentation formats, including an executive-level Decarbonization Roadmap briefing presentation and a comprehensive written document summarizing the planning effort. The final report offered detailed analyses and recommendations across the aforementioned key focus areas (Strategic Energy Management, Thermal Energy Transition, Onsite Electrification, and Off-Site Solutions).
