Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

The University of Texas Collaborates to Advance Sustainability

  • 11/22/19

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

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

  • Little Grand Market

    Designing for Belonging: Why Student Wellness Starts with Space

    From walkable site planning to flexible interiors, intentional design choices play a critical role in how students experience comfort, connection, and community.

  • UNT Dallas Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for $100M STEM Building

    The University of North Texas at Dallas in Dallas, Texas, recently celebrated the opening of its new, $100-million STEM Building, according to local news. The ceremony on Dec. 2 preceded the first day of classes in the facility on Jan. 12, 2026.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.