Editing University of Washington (section)

=== Current energy mix ===
[[Fossil fuel|Fossil fuels]] are still tightly embedded in energy systems across the world.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nowotny |first1=Janusz |last2=Dodson |first2=John |last3=Fiechter |first3=Sebastian |last4=Gür |first4=Turgut M. |last5=Kennedy |first5=Brendan |last6=Macyk |first6=Wojciech |last7=Bak |first7=Tadeusz |last8=Sigmund |first8=Wolfgang |last9=Yamawaki |first9=Michio |last10=Rahman |first10=Kazi A. |date=2018-01-01 |title=Towards global sustainability: Education on environmentally clean energy technologies |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1364032117309929 |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |volume=81 |pages=2541–2551 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.060 |bibcode=2018RSERv..81.2541N |issn=1364-0321}}</ref> This is reflected in the University's energy production, as they still rely on [[natural gas]] to heat most of its buildings, despite their clean energy goals and commitments.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Decarbonizing the UW |url=https://sustainability.uw.edu/energy-transformation |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=sustainability.uw.edu |language=en}}</ref>

Although natural gas produces less particulate matter than coal and oil during combustion and is considered one of the cleaner fossil fuels, natural gas is criticized for other environmental impacts. Harvested using potentially environmentally degrading techniques, such as [[hydraulic fracturing]], natural gas has the potential to leak into nearby water sources, as well as the atmosphere, and emits greenhouse gasses during both harvesting and combustion processes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=Qiang |last2=Chen |first2=Xi |last3=Jha |first3=Awadhesh N. |last4=Rogers |first4=Howard |date=2014-02-01 |title=Natural gas from shale formation – The evolution, evidences and challenges of shale gas revolution in United States |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1364032113006059 |journal=Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews |volume=30 |pages=1–28 |doi=10.1016/j.rser.2013.08.065 |bibcode=2014RSERv..30....1W |issn=1364-0321}}</ref>

It was found that as of 2024, 93% of the University's direct greenhouse gas emissions originated from the natural gas combustion system within the UW's central power plant.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Decarbonizing the UW |url=https://sustainability.uw.edu/energy-transformation |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=sustainability.uw.edu |language=en}}</ref> The heat produced using natural gas is transported through 8 miles of underground utility tunnels that connect to campus buildings, alongside side electrical lines, communication lines, and internet cables.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Facilities |first=UW Sustainability & UW |date=2023-05-22 |title=History of UW's Power Plant |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f6943d7bcbcb4764b7cbe6da6dc59c5c |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=ArcGIS StoryMaps |language=en}}</ref> Although electric chillers are already in place, which cool water down as a form of AC to then be pumped into buildings through the utility tunnels,<ref name=":1" /> the University hopes to switch the heating processes from natural gas to electric heat pumps in order to meet their clean energy goals.<ref name=":0" />

In contrast from the current heating systems, most of the UW's electric power is supplied by [[Seattle City Light]], who generates the majority of their electricity through [[Hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] systems.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Energy |url=https://sustainability.uw.edu/campus/energy#:~:text=Seattle%20City%20Light,%20which%20serves,gas%20in%20its%20generation%20mix |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=sustainability.uw.edu |language=en}}</ref> Other sources of energy include the previously mentioned WCUP for building cooling and emergency backup electricity, as well as a number of solar installations across campus. Buildings with [[Solar power|solar]] installations include Mercer Court Alder Hall, Elm Hall, the Intramural Activities Building, Maple Hall, and the Life Sciences Building.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UW Solar |url=https://sustainability.uw.edu/blog/tags/uw-solar |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=In Our Nature |language=en}}</ref>