Energy
Lincoln Public Schools has made great strides in energy conservation and efficiency in the last 30 years.
This progress has been possible thanks to the combination of bond issue projects, Sustainable Energy Program incentives, and support from the staff and students in our buildings.
LPS added over 413,000 square feet to its total footprint from 2019-2023, an increase of 5.4%. In those same five years, the district decreased electricity use by 7.2% and natural gas use by an incredible 34.8%.
These improvements have also earned LPS some exciting awards and recognition along the way!
District Energy Consumption
(2019-2023)
Heating and Cooling
Geothermal well fields and ground source heat pump systems produce fewer carbon emissions and maintain higher indoor air quality than standard natural gas-powered systems. As of 2020, these systems heat and cool 90% of buildings in the district.
By harnessing the Earth’s ability to store heat, geothermal systems also reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool indoor air. These energy savings benefit our environment and reduce energy costs.
Lighting Systems
Energy-efficient lighting is another key part of the district’s responsible energy use. In 2023 alone, 34 school gyms made the switch to LED lightbulbs. These bulbs require less electricity to illuminate a space compared to traditional fluorescent lights, and also experience less energy waste through heat loss.
Natural lighting from windows helps reduce energy usage, and is part of the daylight harvesting systems present in several schools. When sensors detect plenty of natural light in an area, they turn off or dim overhead lights to save energy.
Students and staff also participate in energy savings through activities like creating a Power Patrol or a Lights Out Campaign.
Park Middle School LED lighting upgrade
Automated Building Controls
Equipment upgrades are a key part of responsible energy use, but operating that equipment efficiently is just as important! Many buildings across LPS use automated building controls to prevent energy consumption in empty rooms.
Once the school day is over, thermostats in LPS buildings automatically reduce how much heating or cooling the system does. Student clubs or staff members who need to use these spaces after hours aren’t left out in the cold, though! Building reservation systems keep rooms at normal daytime temperatures when someone has booked the space.
Classroom and office vacancy sensors also save energy by turning off the lights when no one has been in the room for a set period of time.
Solar Energy
LPS added the district’s first sources of renewable energy to Standing Bear and Northwest high schools in 2023. The new solar panel arrays will contribute to each school’s daily energy needs, as well as provide opportunities for students to engage with topics like renewable energy in classrooms and after-school clubs.
Each system is designed to offset as much carbon dioxide as 12,500 trees during the course of its 25-year lifespan!
For real-time updates on how much energy the solar panels produce, visit one of the live dashboards:
