MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
FACILITIES CONFERENCE
CFFO April 24 - 26, 2013
White Paper
Campus and System Wide Energy Graphs
In the following pages you will find a System Wide graph and individual campus graphs for
the entire MnSCU system.
They show usage (kBtu) and dollars spent from 2009 to 2012. There is also a table below the
graph that shows actual data for usage, cost, kBtu/GSF, and GSF.
The graphs were created using energy data from the B3 website.
B3 Website: https://mn.b3benchmarking.com/B3-Benchmarking.aspx
Taking a first look at the graph it is possible that it shows sharp rises and drops or fairly
smooth changes from year to year. At this point take a look at the scales on the X and Y
axis; this can sometimes change the look of the graph. There is also as mentioned above a
table with actual data to get a different perspective on your trends from year to year.
The following provides explanations of what makes up these usages and costs on your bill.
The Blue Line in the graph represents Usage (kBtu):
When you look at the graph for your college, here are some of the things to think about.
Heating Usage – represented as kBtu in the total energy graphs



Usage is primarily natural gas with the exception of Northeast Higher Education
System - Vermillion Community College and Southwest Minnesota State University
who use fuel oil and electricity respectively.
Again, the majority of usage consists of heating. Some of the changes that effect
usage are adding or subtracting a building, mothballing a portion of a building,
changes when your buildings open and close, changes in weather, and energy
efficiency gains or losses.
It is also possible that the data is not correct in certain months etc.
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Electric usage is KWH and represented as kBtu in the total energy graphs.
The majority of usage consists of lighting. The same as heating, consumption can be
changed by adding or subtracting a building, mothballing a portion of a building, changes
when your buildings open and close, and energy efficiency gains or losses.
 Electricity usage is fairly constant over time (seasons)
 It is also possible that the data is not correct in certain months etc.
The Red Line in the graph represents Dollars:
The Dollars in these graphs represent all of your energy dollars – mainly electricity and
natural gas and fuel.
How has Natural gas prices effected your bill
In 2012 system wide natural gas costs averaged 21% of the total energy bill.
Natural gas prices have been low and fairly consistent over the time period of the graphs. In
terms of dollars, lowering your usage has a direct effect on lowering your cost. Here is a
graph showing natural gas prices from 2008 to 2013.
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How has Electricity prices effected your bill
The main costs in an electric bill are demand (KW) and usage kBtu.
Electric Prices
Electricity prices have not been as constant as natural gas. Electricity prices have
experienced increases over time. Sometimes the gain in lowering usage (KWH) is negated
by the increase in electricity prices. To your credit, the decreases in usage you have made
have had a good effect on your institution’s budget.
An example of electricity price increases is XCEL Energy. They filed rate increases over the
past four years. They currently have a rate case were interim rates started on January 1,
2013 (roughly a 10% increase) which was reduced in March 2013 to roughly 8%. Final rates
are scheduled to be effective in the Fall of 2014.
In 2012 System wide electrical costs represents 74% of the total energy bill.
Being such a large part of the total energy bill, would say to look here first for lowering your
costs.
Electric Demand prices
The price of electric demand is complicated in how it is measured and priced. Billing demand
is the maximum amount of electrical energy that is being consumed in a given timeframe
(typically the billing period). Depending on the rate structure you are on, there are rate
structures (prices) that can be more forgiving and less costly and those with set limits and
penalties for going over the set limits.
What is called peak shaving is the ability to control your demand. This is an attempt to lower
and control your demand level. Ultimately, lowering your peak demand.
Method to monitor and find out what time of the day you reach your peak can be found by
asking your utility for a report which shows your demand in 15 minute increments.
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2012 Energy Data is considered a Draft
Included in the graphs are 2012 energy data. The data is considered a Draft due to not
being analyzed. It is a good practice to review your data for reasonableness. Overall the
data looks very good; but here are some of the things that are going to be looked into:
Looks like missing data at Bemidji State University and NTC Bemidji
Anoka Ramsey - Cambridge has a 45% reduction from 2011 to 2012
NHED Itasca has a 35% reduction from 2011 to 2012
Saint Paul College possibly has missing usage in 2012
Metro State University had a reduction of 22% from 2010 to 2011 followed by a reduction of
18% from 2011 to 2012
There are 14 campuses with reductions in usage greater than 15%
If you have questions or need assistance you can contact Ken Oas at the system office –
Phone number 651 201-1783 Email: kenneth.oas@so.mnscu.edu
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The graphs as described above show usage (kBtu) and dollars spent from 2009 to 2012.
There is also a table below the graph that shows actual data for usage, cost, kBtu/GSF, and
GSF.
System Wide Summary
kBtu (Thousands)
Annual Usage and Dollars
2,900,000
2,800,000
2,700,000
2,600,000
2,500,000
2,400,000
2,300,000
2,200,000
2,100,000
$33,500,000
$33,000,000
$32,500,000
$32,000,000
$31,500,000
$31,000,000
$30,500,000
$30,000,000
2009
2010
2011
kBtu
kBtu
Dollars
kBtu/GSF
GSF
2012
Dollars
2,802,726,604
2,633,339,356
2,635,016,798
2,381,433,699
$33,128,045
$32,818,837
$33,227,069
$31,084,531
105
98
97
87
26,622,037
26,922,270
27,177,645
27,231,817
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