The University of Texas Collaborates to Advance Sustainability

AUSTIN, TX and SANTA BARBARA, CA – A gift from Yardi® will support research efforts coordinated by the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built real estate environment.

The Energy Institute (EI) facilitates interdisciplinary research and engagement to transform the future of energy worldwide. EI, which includes more than 300 researchers and 30-plus research centers, provides a gateway for UT initiatives designed to enable a globally sustainable energy transition.

"We deeply appreciate the support from Yardi, which helps us accelerate our focus on fueling a sustainable energy transition. A key element of this is energy use and emissions mitigation in the built environment, where global demand is growing for better technology and tools to support efficiency in building design, construction and operations," says Dr. Varun Rai, director of the Energy Institute. "Yardi's gift enables us to support interdisciplinary research in this area at various school departments and research units across UT."

"The real estate industry is the fourth largest source of emissions in the U.S. The average commercial building wastes an estimated 30 percent of its energy consumption. There are tremendous opportunities to help occupants, owners, investors, and communities benefit from improved energy efficiency," says Akshai Rao, vice president of procure to pay and energy for Yardi and a UT Austin alumnus. "UT is a leader in research that is generating breakthroughs across the spectrum of energy issues, and Yardi is pleased to support these efforts through the Energy Institute."

About the Energy Institute
The Energy Institute (EI) at the University of Texas at Austin facilitates interdisciplinary research and engagement to transform the future of energy worldwide. With over 350 researchers and 30-plus research centers and initiatives focused on energy at UT, EI also serves as the gateway for innovative public and private collaborations with UT to advance a sustainable energy transition globally.

About Yardi
Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. Established in 1984, Yardi is based in Santa Barbara, CA, and serves clients worldwide. For more information on how Yardi is Energized for Tomorrow, visit yardi.com.

Featured

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • ECM Technologies Wins ‘Most Innovative Business of the Year’ Award

    HVAC preventative maintenance and efficiency solutions provider ECM Technologies was recently named the “Most Innovative Business of the Year” at the 2025 Champions of Change Awards, according to a news release. The program recognizes Arizona business leaders and organizations taking steps to make a positive impact on the state through innovative thinking and philanthropy.

  • Tufts University Breaks Ground on Two New Residence Halls

    Tufts University in Medford, Mass., recently broke ground on two new residence halls with a total capacity of 664 beds, according to local news. The project’s ultimate goal is to expand on-campus housing and reduce pressure on the local housing market.

  • Clemson to Launch North America’s Largest College Campus Smart Parking Program

    Clemson University in Clemson, S.C., recently announced a partnership with smart parking and curbside management solutions provider eleven-x to launch a smart parking initiative for its population of 29,000 students and faculty, according to a news release.

Digital Edition