Rutgers University has utilized its own technical resources and its student body to help study and solve energy related problems throughout multiple campuses. Projects such as a 1.4 megawatt PV solar system and a 14 megawatt combined heat and power plant are used as learning tools for both faculty and students. Tours of the facilities are provided on a regular basis to not only University staff and students, but to other groups interested in learning about energy efficiency and related technologies. The school has created The Center for Advanced Energy Systems utilizing undergraduate and graduate engineers along with experienced energy professionals to perform energy studies and write grants for CHP and geothermal technologies.

Additionally, many existing motors and transformers on campus have been replaced with high efficiency units supported by NJ SmartStart Buildings incentives producing savings of over two million kilowatt hours annually. New insulated piping is being installed in place of 40 year old high temperature hot water piping, which runs underground and supplies the multiple campuses with hot water. The expected thermal gas savings from this project is expected to be well over 22 million therms. A water audit was performed in 2007, and the University has implemented many of the recommended measures over the last two years reducing consumption by 255 million gallons per year. Lighting audits have also been completed and the University plans to install high efficiency lighting and sensors.

The school's facilities and capital planning staff brings energy awareness to the academic side of the University as guest lecturers, educating non-technical students about energy awareness. Rutgers consistently integrates all of their energy saving projects into their curriculum.