Facilities Services will conduct a test of the university’s ability to respond to emergency demand response events.
Case Western Reserve University participates in a voluntary electricity-reduction program to help prevent massive electrical shutdowns, or “blackouts,” across the regional electric grid.
The one-hour test will take place Tuesday, July 16, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. The time will be confirmed the day of the test.
During the test event, Facilities Services requests members of the university community reduce demand by:
- Turning off lights or window air conditioners in unoccupied spaces;
- Turning off desk lamps, or turning on desk lamps and turning off overhead lights;
- Running laptop computers on battery power, and turning off non-essential technology such as external monitors;
- Unplugging all chargers that are not in use (for example: cell phones, laptops, iPads, etc.);
- Powering down computers, copiers and other electronic devices during lunch, and shutting off power strips.
There will be a minimal impact on the campus as a whole, as Facilities Services will launch campus emergency generators and use the central energy-management system to adjust HVAC systems and turn off lighting in public areas. Room temperatures may vary slightly but should return to normal soon after the test. No changes will be made to normal ventilation in laboratory buildings.