{"id":12777,"date":"2022-08-03T12:11:33","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T16:11:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/igs\/?page_id=12777"},"modified":"2026-06-22T10:00:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T14:00:41","slug":"research-projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/igs\/get-involved\/students\/campus-climate-lab\/research-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"

Current Campus Climate Lab Projects<\/h2>\n

Campus Climate Lab research projects span many disciplines and varied themes, including buildings and operations<\/strong>, reducing waste<\/strong>, curriculum development<\/strong>, climate and health<\/strong>, and advocacy and activism<\/strong>. Get inspired \u2014 learn more about current and past projects!<\/p>\n

Buildings and Operations<\/h4>\n
Analysis of Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization Options for the Charles River and Medical Campuses for 20 Large Buildings<\/h6>
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Research team:\u00a0<\/strong>
\nCharlotte Harper Cunningham (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nGraham Ballantyne (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nChristian Hanson (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)
\nGrace Mallozzi (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)<\/p>\n

Mentor:<\/strong> Michael Gevelber (Mechanical Engineering, ENG)

Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Fall 2025
<\/span><\/p>\n

This project seeks to develop a detailed plan to decarbonize major buildings on both CRC and BUMC, addressing both technical and financial issues. In particular, we will develop a first detailed building-by-building integrated energy efficiency and decarbonization plan, focusing on the 20 largest buildings that account for over 35% of BU\u2019s direct GHG emissions<\/span><\/p>\n

Key research issues to be addressed include cost effective evaluation of HVAC related energy efficiency projects including heat recovery, air flow scheduling, and right sizing the airflow depending on different needs. Considering these energy efficiency opportunities first before development\/analysis of decarbonization plans, is important since it reduces the capacity and cost of implementing the decarbonization technologies. For BUMC, we will also address the comparative economics of using green steam to achieve GHG reduction goals, in comparison to switching to a hybrid natural gas\/heat pump system. Lastly, for key elements of both campuses, evaluation of performance and cost of ground source heat pump systems will be made in comparison to hybrid air source heat pumps.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Building an AI-Aware Campus: Using TerrierGPT for a More Sustainable Grid<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Research team:\u00a0<\/strong>
\nAudrey Xie, CAS
\nKiko Yoshihira, CAS
\nMiya Peterson, CAS<\/p>\n

Mentor:<\/strong> Nathan Phillips, Professor, CAS

Timing:<\/strong> Awarded Spring 2026, Summer 2026
<\/span><\/p>\n

This project aims to reduce data center emissions by encouraging BU TerrierGPT users to receive inquiry responses at a delayed, low-demand time to reduce stress on the grid and fossil fuel reliance. Researchers will test customer tolerances by creating prototypes for token-based delay systems and interface messaging that encourages user behavior to delay queries. Researchers will also simulate a TerrierGPT system that automatically delays queries based on New England grid energy demand. Results from this study can be used to develop larger-scale community demand response programs to better manage energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n