U California Berkeley Boosts Energy Efficiency by 20%
The University of California, Berkeley has announced that it has increased energy efficiency in its 10,000-square-foot data center by 20 percent. A wireless, sensor-based monitoring system by San Francisco-based systems and software firm Arch Rock measures temperature, air flow and pressure throughout the data center. The monitoring system provides real-time, continuous visibility into power and thermal conditions, allowing for the expansion of server capacity without overloading the cooling system. The University plans to install the system throughout the entire production data center by 2011.
U Central Florida Joins LED University Program
University of Central Florida has joined the Cree LED University program with the installation of energy-efficient LED lighting in the student union. The Cree LED University Program is an international community of universities working to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient LEDs across their campuses. The University expects to save at least $10,000 a year in energy and maintenance costs. The LED lights consume 85 percent less energy than the old fixtures.
U Delaware Debuts 2 MW Coastal Wind Turbine
The University of Delaware has completed a 2-megawatt wind turbine. The turbine provides enough electricity to power approximately 500 homes and is expected to provide clean, carbon-free electricity for the entire campus. Excess power will be fed to the electric grid. The University worked alongside regional technology and energy corporations to complete the project, which is expected to enhance research in areas including turbine corrosion, avian impacts, and policy issues related to renewable energy.
Boise State U Announces LED Light Pole Installations
Boise State University (ID) has partnered with Inovus Solar, a local renewable outdoor lighting company, to set up grid-smart, solar-powered light poles with LED luminaries. The installation will enable real-time testing and development of new solar and power conservation technologies at the University. Students will have access to the installations to learn about integrating solar technologies into a smart grid.
Colby-Sawyer College Announces Green Utilities Contract
Colby-Sawyer College (NH) has announced a new, three-year electricity contract that will power the College with renewable energy sources and reduce its carbon emissions by 43 percent. The package will include the purchase of renewable energy certificates.
Harvard U Installs System to Measure Building Energy Use
The Harvard University (MA) Law School has partnered with Aircuity, a manufacturer of products that reduce building energy and improve indoor air quality, to install an energy measuring system in a three-building complex. The installations will help improve air efficiency and decrease the maintenance and energy costs associated with the structures. The system will collect data using sensors and provide information regarding adjustments that should be made for the best efficiency settings possible. The new system is expected to help the Wasserstein Hall, Caspersen Student Center, and Clinical Wing complex of the law school receive LEED Gold certification.
U Washington to Cut Carbon Emissions with New Heating System
The University of Washington has announced plans to install a new heating system during the renovation of its campus union building. The new water-to-water heat pumps will cut the building's carbon emissions by 90 percent. The pumps are designed to draw heat out of the central cooling water system, generating hot water that would be circulated to provide warm air for the ventilation systems and the radiators under the windows. Renovations will take place over the next two years with a budget of $82.7 million.
Western Kentucky U Television Studio Adds LED Lighting System
Western Kentucky University has replaced incandescent lighting equipment with an LED lighting system in its television studio. The new lighting system will reduce energy consumption by 97 percent. Broadcast production students will have an opportunity to use and study the new lights.
Elon U Receives Grant for Solar Thermal Systems
Elon University (NC) has received up to $200,000 in federal grant money through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to help with the installation of solar thermal systems. The solar thermal systems will heat water each day for a dining hall and a number of residence halls. The dining hall will receive a 30-panel solar thermal system. The campus project is among 18 initiatives funded throughout North Carolina using a total of $2.3 million in grants.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Launches Efficiency Forward
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston-based utility NSTAR have announced a new program, MIT Efficiency Forward, which aims to cut MIT’s electricity use by 15 percent over the next three years. The program is expected to save MIT $50 million in energy costs over the next decade. The energy reduction will result from behavior change programs and changes in lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
SUNY Canton Receives Grant to Store Power
The State University of New York at Canton has received $3 million worth of batteries that will be used to store power generated by a planned wind turbine on campus. The batteries will have the ability to store 2 megawatt hours of power which will allow around-the-clock use of the power generated by the turbine. The University will save money on electric bills even during peak hours.
U Maine Presque Isle Dedicates Wind Turbine
The University of Maine at Presque Isle has officially dedicated its first windmill on the one-year anniversary of its completion and commissioning. The 600-kilowatt, 90-meter-tall installation was financed by UMPI’s internal savings, together with a $50,000 grant from the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
California State U Northridge Installs Solar Panels
California State University, Northridge has initiated construction on a $1.97 million dual access tracking solar system. The installation allows the panels to rotate and follow the sun throughout the day. Energy collected will be distributed throughout the campus.
Eastern U Installs 56 kW Solar System
Eastern University (PA) has installed a 56-kilowatt solar system on top of a campus building. The system is expected to reduce emissions by 839 metric tons of carbon emissions within twenty years. Community Energy, a renewable energy developer that owns and operates the system, will sell Eastern University electricity produced by the solar panels at a locked-in rate for 20 years, protecting the University from rising energy costs.
NY State Schools Announce Winners of Green Business Competition
The University at Albany's (NY) College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering and School of Business, Rensselaer Polytechnic Insitute's Lally School of Management and Technology, and the Union Graduate College's School of Management have announced the winners of the Tech Valley Business Plan competition, the area's first business plan competition focusing on renewable energy and sustainable innovations.. Winners of the competition, all located at the three institutions, pitched next generation battery storage technology, recyclable teddy bears, and a year-round organic produce project.
Ohio Northern U Constructs 3 Wind Turbines
Ohio Northern University has constructed three wind turbines. Each turbine is 220 feet tall and generates 400 kilowatts of power. The University will distribute the collective 1.2 megawatts of power generated throughout the campus. The three turbines are expected to meet five to 10 percent of the University’s electricity needs.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical CC Provides Water Heated By Solar
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (NC) has entered an agreement to have 39 solar panels installed on four campus buildings. The thermal collectors will be used to provide 1,885 gallons of hot water a day. The College expects to save approximately $22,000 over the next ten years.
Luther College Implements Energy Conservation Program
Luther College (IA) has developed an Energy Conservation Program to help the institution meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent. The two major goals of the program include reducing energy consumption by three percent per year through investments in more energy efficient equipment and to reduce energy consumption by two percent per year through implementation of an energy awareness educational program. Short term goals include installing a system that allows the college to track real time energy use and communicate that information on campus to the college community, developing a team of students to foster the implementation of energy conserving measures on campus, and completing the installation of additional meters to monitor the consumption of electricity, steam heat, and water in all major campus buildings.
Middlebury College to Purchase Bio-Methane Gas
Middlebury College (VT) has agreed to purchase bio-methane gas from a Vermont farm energy company, with the agreement contingent on the College raising money to build storage facilities for the gas on campus and retrofit its current heating plant to burn the new fuel. The project would cost approximately $9 million. Middlebury hopes that their agreement will provide a boost to the farm-based methane industry, which uses cow manure and food waste to produce methane gas.
Milwaukee Area Technical College Starts Solar Educational Farm
Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI), in collaboration with Johnson Controls, has begun construction for its new Photovoltaic Educational Farm. The 32-acre, 510 kW facility will provide energy to operate the Milwaukee Public Television transmitter. The facility will serve as a training center for technicians, designers, site assessors, electricians, sales personnel, and other professionals in the field of renewable energy.
U Texas San Antonio Receives Funds for Solar Panels
University of Texas, San Antonio has received $1.08 million in Department of Energy stimulus funds to install solar panels. The panels are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions up to 273,661 pounds annually and save the University $64,000 per year. Students will be given the opportunity to work on the project.
American U Switches to 100% Green Power
American University (DC) has purchased wind-generated renewable energy credits (RECs) equivalent to 100 percent of the University’s annual electricity usage.
Duke U Converts Coal Steam Plant to Natural Gas
Duke University (NC) has completed a $25 million renovation of its East Campus Steam Plant. The University replaced the coal-fired boilers with gas-fired steam boilers, which will provide 35 percent more steam capacity to campus, while simultaneously helping to reduce the University's environmental footprint. The steam plant is part of Duke’s goal to become a climate-neutral campus.
Green Mountain College Debuts Biomass Plant
Green Mountain College (VT) has opened a wood-chip-burning plant. The plant will supply 85 percent of the College’s heat and generate 20 percent of its electricity. By next year the College expects to cut emissions by 56 percent. Green Mountain College hopes the biomass plant will assist the college in achieving carbon neutrality.
Kansas State U Implements Energy & Water Saving Plan
Kansas State University has begun a project with Johnson Controls to reduce the University’s impact on the environment. Projects include switching to more-efficient light bulbs, which is expected to save $61,000 per year; building campus wells from which non-potable water for irrigation and the campus' steam systems will be drawn, which will reduce KSU's water bill by around $367,000 annually; turning off computers, which is expected to save $4,400 annually; and expanding recycling facilities.
Kent State U Stark Receives Funding for Energy Plan
Kent State University, Stark (OH) has received $1.3 million in financing for its Energy and Conservation Master Plan. The funding will be used for lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and the installation of solar fountains. The University expects to save at least $182,000 within ten years and to reduce energy consumption and emissions by 37 percent.
Mercyhurst College to Become 100% Wind-Powered, Install Composter
Mercyhurst College (PA) has announced plans to become 100 percent wind-powered by this summer. The price of wind has dropped since the College first began purchasing wind power in 2003. In 2008, the College paid $35,000 for wind power equaling 20 percent of its total power. Mercyhurst now pays $28,000 for 100 percent wind power. In addition, this summer the College will install a compost system, which is expected to take in 200 pounds of waste a day, and a green roof. The cost of converting the conventional roof to a green roof is being funded through the 2010 Senior Class Gift and the Student Green Energy Fund. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Lawrence U Installs Solar Panels
Lawrence University (WI) has installed the campus' first solar panel on the roof of Youngchild Hall. The 2.92 kilowatt unit, composed of 14 panels, will help reduce the College's monthly electric bill and will serve a curricular purpose as well. Data from the solar collector will be streamed live over the internet and be used in as many as three courses, including an introductory environmental science course, the physics course “Energy Society and Environment” and the chemistry course “The Energy Conundrum.”
St. Charles CC Announces Several Green Campus Projects
St. Charles Community College (MO) has announced several new green projects on campus. SCCC has received a Public Buildings and Energy Efficiency Retrofit grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $187,718, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which will be used to purchase a high efficiency hot water boiler, advanced control valves to improve the efficiency of the chilled water cooling system, and sensors to control the lighting, heating, and cooling systems for classrooms. In addition, SCCC new brown rubber mulch made from recycled tires is being used in some college parking lot islands, a new "Team Green" committee has been formed, and $50,000 has been earmarked for the development of an outdoor classroom to be used by the College and local schools and community groups.
Thomas College Installs Solar Panels
Thomas College (ME) has installed a solar panel system on the roof of its main administration and classroom building. The panels are expected to produce 8.28 kW. The College also installed a grid-tied inverter, which changes the DC power made by the photovoltaic panels into usable AC energy, which is used to run lights and radios, for example. The panels are estimated to reduce the cost of electricity in the building by approximately $1,600 annually. The project was made possible by a $50,000 grant from Efficiency Maine.
U North Carolina Chapel Hill to Be Coal-Free by 2020
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has announced plans to end its use of coal by 2020. As a step toward ending coal use, the campus' cogeneration facility will test co-firing coal with biomass in the form of dried wood pellets later this spring and torrefied wood – a product similar to charcoal – this fall or winter. The University plans to replace 20 percent of its coal with biomass no later than 2015, and perhaps by 2012. Last year, the Sierra Club’s Coal-Free Campus Campaign targeted 60 U.S. campuses that are still burning coal, including UNC and its coal-burning cogeneration facility. The Sierra Club urged these campuses to lead by example, cut their pollution, and end burning coal as soon as possible. In response, Chancellor Holden Thorp appointed 10 students, faculty and community members to a task force to make recommendations before year’s end to reduce Carolina’s carbon footprint. The 2020 date for ending coal usage was one of six interim recommendations submitted to Thorp the end of April.
New Mexico State U Restores Solar-Powered Furnace
A group of New Mexico State University students, faculty, and staff have restored a university solar-powered furnace that was constructed in 1979 and has since fell into disuse and disrepair. Rather than electricity, the furnace produces heat, a type of energy production known as solar thermal energy. Graduate student Kyle Glenn and undergraduate Mike Dehmlow operate the furnace. They conduct demonstrations for visiting students to peak their interest in engineering and help them better understand how renewable energy installations, such as a solar furnace, operate.
NY Times Publishes Article on EPA's Energy Star Label for Dorms
The New York Times has published an article on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star labels for college and universities dormitories. The article mentions two green residence halls at Ithaca College (NY) and one green residence hall at Hamilton College (NY).
Syracuse U Receives International Award for New Green Data Center
Syracuse University has been named one of the 2010 Green 15 by GDC’s InfoWorld for the University’s new Green Data Center (GDC). The annual Green 15 award recognizes the 15 most innovative IT initiatives of organizations around the world that have embraced green technology to drive projects and develop products aimed at boosting energy efficiency, trimming waste, and reducing or eliminating the use or the production of harmful substances.
U Massachusetts Medical School Opens Green Data Center
The University of Massachusetts Medical School has opened its new data center on campus that promises to reduce energy use by 40 percent over the current data center. The 7,400-square-foot facility will house all Medical School servers, plus those used by the University President’s office. Energy savings will come from a range of carbon emission-reducing features, including a high-efficiency cooling system, a clean flywheel backup electricity storage system, and no need for lights inside the center. Energy savings will also come from using “air-side economizing” technology, which brings in outdoor air for cooling the indoor space.
Oregon Institute of Technology Dedicates Geothermal Project
Oregon Institute of Technology has dedicated its new geothermal electric project. The power plant has a maximum capacity output of 280 kilowatts gross power utilizing existing wells on the campus. A second geothermal plant is also planned. The 1.2 megawatt project will utilize a 5,300-foot deep well drilled in 2009, and is expected to be complete in 2012.
Washington State U Students to Install Green Energy on WSU Farm
The student chapter of Engineers Without Borders at Washington State University have begun a project to install a wind turbine and solar panels on the campus' organic farm. The wind installation will provide 500 - 1,000 watts and the solar panels will generate 200 - 500 watts of power. The system will include a bank of batteries, a 600-foot underground cable, data tracking computers, and a weather station. As an educational project, the system will accommodate student and community tours, with signs explaining the project. The installations should be complete this summer.
Louisiana State U Completes Energy Conservation Competition
Louisiana State University has completed its second annual UNPLUG energy conservation competition. Students living in on-campus residence halls and apartments at LSU yielded an average 14 percent reduction in energy consumption — an estimated $10,368 in savings — over a one-month time period. Nine residence hall communities, which altogether house 4,800 residents and 135 resident assistants, and three Greek houses participated in the competition. The West Campus Apartments led the Residential Life competition with a 26 percent reduction, and Phi Mu sorority won the Greek division with a 45 percent reduction.
Syracuse U Posts Lights Out Stickers on Campus
Syracuse University (NY) has announced the winner of its "Lights Out" sticker design contest held by SU's Sustainability Division, in partnership with the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). The contest called on students to create a wall sticker for display above campus light switches to remind students, faculty and staff to turn off the lights when leaving an unoccupied room for more than 10 minutes. Winner Bill Hoelzer, a philosophy graduate student, designed a sticker that reads, "Steppin' out? Lights out! Help save juice in the 'Cuse." The sticker will be placed in nearly all SU offices and classrooms.
U California San Diego Installs Energy Dashboard
The University of California, San Diego has installed an Energy Dashboard that allows users to see up-to-the-second information on a structure-by-structure basis for 60 of the largest buildings on the La Jolla campus. The data is provided by UC San Diego Physical Plant Services from over 200 energy meters providing energy usage at the building level. The portal also features information coming from roughly 40 individual power meters that measure energy consumption in the office, e.g., a computer and monitor drawing power from a single socket. A denser deployment of meters, which would measure and display individuals’ energy use, is currently under planning and development. The Web portal provides statistics updated at least once every minute on total power consumption, power generation, imports from San Diego Gas & Electric, and a comparison between power usage and production.
U Kansas Enters $25M Energy Contract
The University of Kansas has entered into a $25 million contract with Overland Park energy company to help increase the campus's energy efficiency. KU expects to save nearly $2 million per year by addressing aging heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; by reducing energy and water use; and by educating the campus about responsible stewardship of resources. Work has begun and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2011.
U Kansas Installs 6 Solar Panels
The University of Kansas EcoHawks engineering group has installed six solar panels on a campus shed. The group plans to transfer energy captured by the panels into a battery used as a fueling station for their 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle.
Virginia to Form Universities Clean Energy Development Foundation
Virginia State Governor Bob McDonnell has signed into law a measure establishing the Universities Clean Energy Development and Economic Stimulus Foundation. The bill signing took place just two days after Virginia was given federal approval to become the first state on the East Coast to explore for and produce oil and natural gas offshore. Through a policy proposal promoted by McDonnell, 20 percent of future revenues received by the state from this offshore energy development will go to green energy research and development at the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium on the Old Dominion University campus.
Bucknell U Installs New Efficient Ventilation System
Bucknell University (PA) has announced plans to replace the old ventilation system with a new $500,000 system in its Elaine Lagone Center. The new system, which is partially funded with stimulus money, is able to adjust its air flow in various rooms depending on the number of occupants. The University expects to reduce its energy consumption in the buildings by 60 percent and save $100,000 annually. The project should be complete by mid-August.
Campuses Turn out the Lights for Earth Hour 2010
Hundreds of college and university campuses participated in the World Wildlife Fund's third annual Earth Hour event this year. In addition to turning out lights on campus, institutions furthered their celebrations by creating glow in the dark ultimate frisbee games, institution verses institution competitions, and candlelight images.
Guilford College Announces Solar Installation
Guilford College (NC) has announced plans to install 188 solar hot water panels on dormitories around campus. The panels will produce 9,000 gallons of hot water a day, which will result in 113 less tons of CO2 a year. The installation will be complete by the beginning of next semester, which will be the start to Guilford's "Year of Sustainability."
Lakeland CC Wins National Award for Sustainability Initiative
Lakeland Community College (OH) has received the Bellwether Award from the Community College Futures Assembly. The annual award is bestowed upon community colleges to recognize “outstanding programs that are at the forefront of innovation throughout the United States and Canada.” Lakeland was honored for its program “Going Green Doesn’t Have to be Sexy,” which began by benchmarking its energy performance against European best practices, developing a master plan, and partnering with Siemens Building Technologies to implement a comprehensive energy and resource efficiency plan. The project installed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades; lighting retrofits; and other building improvements. Lakeland’s program resulted in the College achieving natural gas, electricity, and water volume reductions of 46 percent, 36 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, and a 40 percent reduction in direct and indirect creation of greenhouse gases.
Tufts U Receives Energy Efficiency Award
Tufts University (MA) has received an award from the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships. Tufts was recognized as a ‘Commercial/Business Leader for Energy Efficiency’ for its efforts in energy efficiency, which have resulted in a saving of $600,000 annually.
U Michigan Offsets Emissions with Purchase of RECs
The University of Michigan has purchased renewable energy credits (RECs) from DTE Energy to help offset its emissions. The renewable energy is produced by two wind turbines, which produce about 2 percent of the UM's energy needs.
