Facilities Services will conduct a test of the university’s ability to respond to emergency demand response events today (July 16) from noon to 1 p.m. During this time, members of the Case Western Reserve University community are encouraged to take actions to reduce energy demand. Suggestions to reduce energy usage include:
- 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.
Case Western Reserve University participates in a voluntary electricity-reduction program to help prevent massive electrical shutdowns, or “blackouts,” across the regional electric grid.