In 2012, Case Western Reserve University joined a voluntary electricity-reduction program to reduce energy use and prevent massive electrical shutdowns, or “blackouts,” across the regional electric grid. To prepare for an actual event, the university will perform a test the week of June 22-26.
The test aims to confirm that the university can meet its energy-reduction goals if requested during an emergency. In partnership with the Medical Center Co., the university aims to reduce the load on the electricity grid by approximately 13,000 kilowatts during each event. The university may be called on to participate anytime between June 1 and Sept. 30.
During the test event, CWRU Facilities Services requests members of the university community reduce demand by turning off (or not using) non-essential equipment ahead of the scheduled time by:
- Turning off lights or window air conditioners in unoccupied spaces,
- Turning off desk lamps, or turn on desk lamps and turn off overhead lights,
- Running laptop computers on battery power,
- 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.