Campus Energy Student Video Contest

Every day, dedicated teams work behind the scenes to keep college and university campuses running on district energy. These unsung heroes operate and maintain the critical infrastructure that keeps campuses comfortable, reliable and resilient—often without receiving the recognition their essential work deserves.

Students—that’s where you come in.

Help us shine a spotlight on your campus district energy system and the people who keep it running every day by producing a short video highlighting your Campus District Energy system. Your video will be instrumental in helping us show the world what makes your system—and the team behind it— worthy of the spotlight.

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 CampusEnergy2027 and be honored on stage as part of a large ceremony celebrating your work.

The deadline to submit your entry is Tuesday, December 16, 2026. Questions? Contact Scott Szycher at scott.idea@districtenergy.org or contact us at 508-366-9339.

• 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

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 ‘CampusEnergy2027 Student Video Contest’ in the subject line.

If your file is over 20MB, 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:

CampusEnergy2027 Student Video Contest
International District Energy Association
1800 West Park Drive, Suite 350
Westborough, MA 01581

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 CampusEnergy2027 at the Town & County Resort in San Diego, CA, Feb 16-19, 2027. 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 IDEA2027 Annual Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 22-25, 2027.
• 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.