Campus Energy Student Video Contest

Every day, dedicated teams work behind the scenes to keep your campus running with district energy, unsung heroes who rarely get nor seek credit for their work to keep the student body going.


As a result, we’re asking students to work together and help celebrate their accomplishments (along with a little school pride) by creating a video that showcases the system that keeps you up and running as you’re running between classes and activities.


The Campus Student Video Contest is a friendly one, designed to celebrate and raise awareness of how our collegiate institutions’ district energy systems—and the professionals who operate them—deliver reliable, economical, efficient, and environmentally responsible heating, cooling, and power for their campuses.


Who better to tell that story than the students who benefit from the work being done to keep their campus thriving?

Entrants will produce short videos (maximum three minutes) showcasing their campus energy systems, with a central focus on how district energy supports their institution’s sustainability goals.

Video Submission Details

Here’s what to do:
• Create a short video (up to 3 minutes) about your campus energy system - you can even film it on your phone!
• Focus on how district energy supports your school’s sustainability goals.
• Be creative! Your video could include:

- Interviews with staff, students, or operators
- A behind-the-scenes tour of energy facilities
- Animations, graphics, or fun explainers about how the system works
- Your take on how it helps the environment and campus life
- Stories that connect energy and campus pride

Keep it short, clear, and engaging—the goal is to show others why district energy matters.


Winning entries will be featured on the IDEA website, YouTube channel, and social media platforms, helping to educate both your classmates and the broader public about the vital role of district energy in advancing campus sustainability.


Winners will be invited to attend CampusEnergy2026 and be celebrated on stage as part of a large ceremony celebrating your work.

The deadline to submit your entry is Tuesday, December 23, 2025. 

Download Brochure
Submit Application

Watch the CampusEnergy2025 Winning Video!


Watch all the winning videos from years past here.

Rules and Regulations

  • Entrants must be students enrolled full-time or part-time in colleges and universities that are Members in Good Standing of the International District Energy Association for calendar years 2025-26.
  • Entrants’ submissions must be approved by an individual who is on the Facilities or Utilities staff of their institution.
  • All submitted video entries will remain the property of the International District Energy Association and all entrants must allow IDEA permission to use their submission for public education.

There's other fine print as well - please click the link below for official rules and regulations. 

Rules and Regulations

How To Submit

Videos may be submitted in one of the following ways:

Option One: Send your video as an .mp4 file to Scott Szycher at scott.idea@districtenergy.org with ‘CampusEnergy2026 Student Video Contest’ in the subject line.

If your file is over 10MB, please send via file transfer service like WeTransfer.


Option Two: Mail your completed entry form and a hard copy of your video on a CD, DVD or flash drive to:

CampusEnergy2026 Student Video Contest
International District Energy Association
1800 West Park Drive, Suite 350
Westborough, MA 01581

Prizes

GRAND PRIZE
• The student or team of students who created the winning video will split a $2,000 cash prize, along with paid airfare + lodging for up to two students on the winning team to attend the conference CampusEnergy2026 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center at National Harbor near Washington, D.C. There, you will have the opportunity to meet with members of the IDEA Board of Directors and key business leaders in the District Energy Industry.
• The Facilities or Utilities department of the entrant’s institution will receive 1 free conference registration and paid lodging for up to 4 nights to attend the IDEA2026 Annual Conference in Ottawa, ON Canada.
• The entrant’s College/University will receive public recognition from IDEA through social media and a formal press release for their commitment to reliable, economic, efficient and environmentally sound means of heating, cooling and powering their campuses.

SECOND PLACE
• The student(s) who created the second place video will receive $1,000.
• The entrant’s College/University will receive public recognition from IDEA through social media for their commitment to reliable, economic, efficient and environmentally sound means of heating, cooling and powering their campuses.

THIRD PLACE
• The student(s) who created the third place video will receive $500.
• The entrant’s College/University will receive public recognition from IDEA through social media for their commitment to reliable, economic, efficient and environmentally sound means of heating, cooling and powering their campus.


Entrants will create a video, three minutes or less, about their campus energy system, with a central focus on the role of district energy in their institutions’ sustainability efforts. Once all entries are received, by Tuesday, December 23, IDEA will publish it on our YouTube page.

After IDEA publishes the video, entrants will be asked to promote it on their institution's and their personal social media channels, where points are given to those that garner the most followers, colleagues and friends to like/comment on the video. The number of posts/likes/comments you get by Wednesday, January 7, 2026 will be considered in the evaluation process.

A panel of senior IDEA members will evaluate your video based on its content, message, and creativity. Winning entries will stand out by telling a clear and compelling story about the system and the people behind it, highlighting the impact of district energy with an original and fun approach.

The committee will then select a Grand Prize winner, along with second and third place awardees as well. The three winners will be announced to the public at CampusEnergy2026.