Virginia Tech to hold annual ‘Lights Out!/Power Down!’ event on Dec. 6

From: The Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities

Turning off non-critical lights, appliances, and electronics for just one hour can produce big energy savings – almost 5,000 kilowatts of reduced power.

On Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 4 - 6 p.m., Virginia Tech will hold its 14th annual Lights Out!/Power Down! event hosted by the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities. 

About Lights Out!/Power Down!

The Lights Out!/Power Down! event is part of the Interruptible Load Reliability energy reduction program. The program is part of Virginia Tech’s agreement with PJM Interconnection - the Commonwealth of Virginia’s regional electric transmission grid operator - and is managed by the Virginia Department of Energy and administered by CPower.   

As both a large consumer and a producer of electricity in the region, Virginia Tech’s participation in the Interruptible Load Reliability program helps mitigate the loss of power in the surrounding community during times of high energy use, such as a hot and humid summer afternoon. The Lights Out!/Power Down! event allows the university to test its ability to reduce energy consumption to accommodate redistributed energy necessary to support the community, if needed.

Members of the Blacksburg campus community are encouraged to join Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities team members in turning off and unplugging noncritical lighting and electrical loads in residence halls, classrooms, offices, and laboratories during the university’s annual Lights Out!/Power Down! event. 

How to get involved

• To conserve energy, the university community is encouraged to:
• Turn off lights in offices, common areas, and hallways that are not in use.
• Turn off personal computers and peripherals that are not in use.
• Turn off shared electronics (televisions, projectors, copiers, printers, fax machines, etc.) not in use.
• Unplug appliances (coffee makers, refrigerators, washers/dryers, cooking equipment, etc.) not in use.
• Turn off non-critical laboratory equipment not in use.

Throughout the day, employees from the Division of Campus Planning, Infrastructure, and Facilities will also be canvassing campus to encourage and assist building occupants with turning off noncritical lighting and equipment. In addition, heating and air conditioning levels in select, noncritical areas will be reduced. Please note that ventilation and air flow rates will not be affected. Those impacted will be notified prior to the event.

The impact

Lights Out!/Power Down! is one example of how Virginia Tech is making strides in reducing its environmental footprint and building sustainability awareness. These efforts are also a clear reflection of Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment.

The Climate Action Commitment serves as a cornerstone for guiding the university toward a greener, more sustainable future. It touches on all aspects of university sustainability and energy efficiency, including campus operations, facilities, curriculum, and research.