The largest public school district in Indiana, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is an agile, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence built through individualized, relationship-based learning. Though the district covers 80 square miles, employs over 5,000 people and serves over 30,000 students, IPS is committed to giving every student the opportunity to succeed and the power to create their own future.

As part of IPS’s sustainability program the district has participated in several federal and state funded energy efficiency programs including LEED, ENERGY STAR and Energizing Indiana. In June 2018, IPS took further steps to accelerate their sustainability initiatives and reduce the amount of money spent on utilities by adopting a policy of energy conservation and entering into a partnership with Cenergistic, a leading energy and sustainability solutions provider. In 2016, the district committed to achieve a 20% reduction in energy use by 2026. Through the Cenergistic partnership, IPS met its goal of 20% in 2019.

Since June 2018, IPS has saved over 242 million KBTU, the equivalent of 38,936 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions being prevented, 8,112 cars removed from the road or 998,335 pine trees grown for 10 years. The district has also earned ENERGY STAR certification for eight buildings.

Energy savings are driven in part by an on-site energy management team which conducts energy audits, oversee equipment and operational schedules and works to improve energy use behaviors. This team also tracks energy consumption and analyzes energy use, so they can quickly identify areas that need immediate attention. IPS is also committed to a standard of district wide modernization that allows them to optimize systems and dollars.

Since the start of the program, district officials have seen a mindset of energy conservation grow among faculty, staff and students. The energy savings realized by Indianapolis Public Schools not only contributes to a more sustainable future but also allows funds to be directed to improve the educational experience of its #1 priority: IPS children and future students.