In a significant leap forward for renewable energy, MIT is at the forefront of developing two large-scale projects designed to enhance energy systems in areas with high carbon emissions. The Big Elm Solar facility in Bell County, Texas, became operational this year, while the Bowman Wind Project in Bowman County, North Dakota, is anticipated to go live in 2026. Together, these initiatives aim to inject an impressive 408 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy into the power grid, advancing MIT’s ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2026.
The Consortium for Climate Solutions—which unites MIT with 10 other organizations in Massachusetts—aims to slash nearly 1 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This goal represents over five times the total direct emissions produced by MIT’s campus. The consortium is committed to investing in around 1.3 million megawatt-hours of new solar and wind energy every year.
“At MIT, we’re tackling climate change on multiple fronts,” states Glen Shor, executive vice president and treasurer. “Launching these large-scale renewable energy projects is vital to reducing carbon emissions from energy generation. We’re excited to collaborate with local enterprises and organizations to maximize our collective impact.”
The new wind and solar projects complement MIT’s existing 25-year power purchase agreement with Summit Farms established in 2016. This deal spurred the development of a 650-acre, 60 MW solar farm in North Carolina, facilitating the early closure of a nearby coal-fired power plant. The success of this initiative has encouraged other institutions to adopt similar cooperative models.
A Collaborative Path to Global Impact
Founded in 2020, the consortium—which includes MIT, Harvard University, and Mass General Brigham—was created to expedite global emissions reductions via these sizable renewable energy projects. By pooling their resources, the institutions can collectively make significant strides in their greenhouse gas reduction efforts.
PowerOptions, a nonprofit energy-buying consortium, has allowed various members—including the City of Cambridge, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Tufts University—to participate in these transformative projects. After a meticulous evaluation of over 125 potential initiatives, the consortium selected both the Bowman Wind and Big Elm Solar projects based on a rigorous set of criteria. The combined efforts are set to result in substantial greenhouse gas reductions within two of the U.S. regions most reliant on carbon-intensive electricity.
Thanks to the long-term financial commitments from consortium members for purchasing electricity, the project developer secured vital external financing to bring these projects to fruition. Managed by Apex Clean Energy, these projects will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 130,000 households annually, while displacing over 950,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions from a region’s highest polluting power plants.
Ongoing Efforts in Decarbonization
In parallel with these offsite renewable projects, consortium members are actively engaged in strategies to minimize their direct emissions. MIT is transforming its energy generation, distribution, and consumption methods on campus. Initiatives include installing solar panels on roofs to quadruple renewable energy production by 2026, transitioning from steam to hot water for heat distribution, and optimizing energy usage in buildings through advanced AI technologies.
To further advance its sustainability goals, MIT has also revamped its Central Utilities Plant, utilizing innovative co-generation technology to decrease its carbon intensity by up to 20%. Plans are in motion to develop a state-of-the-art district energy system, exploring cutting-edge technologies such as geothermal exchange, micro-reactors, and green hydrogen to fully decarbonize campus operations by 2050.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology