U Minnesota Duluth Saves $$, Emissions With Winter Break Shutdown
The University of Minnesota, Duluth has announced that energy conservation efforts during its 11-day winter break reduced greenhouse gas emissions and saved the institution money. UMD reduced heating and ventilation of campus buildings during the break, resulting in reductions of 13 percent in natural gas usage and 6.3 percent in electricity. The measures saved UMD $18,399 in energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 196 tons.
Vermont Technical College to Use Biomass to Heat Building
Vermont Technical College has announced plans to install a wood pellet boiler on its campus. The boiler will serve as a heating source for a campus building and as a hands-on learning tool for students interested in the field of renewable energy. VTC received $185,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to help fund the project.
Yale U Installs Energy Consumption Monitors in 2 Dorms
Yale University (CT) has installed monitors that provide students with real-time information about energy consumed in two campus residential colleges. Accompanied by an educational campaign about residential energy consumption at Yale and nationwide, the monitors aim to provide students with direct and immediate awareness of the effects of their consumption decisions. Designed by Lucid Design Group, the system displays real-time data on energy used for electricity, heating, and cooling. Large, interactive touch-screen monitors that have been installed near campus dining halls allow viewers to see energy consumption patterns over time, compare between colleges, and display in unit equivalencies such as gallons of gasoline, hours of use for hairdryers, microwaves, and laptops as well as the monetary. Funding for the monitors comes from a grant received through the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Accelerating Campus Climate Initiatives program.
Emory U Energy Turndown Saves $15K
Emory University (GA) has announced that it saved an estimated $15,000 during its 2009 holiday season energy turn-down. For the six-day period, Emory avoided 2,511,000,000 BTUs and 458,000 pounds of CO2 emissions.
Saint John's U Opens Solar Farm
Saint John's University (MN) has partnered with the Order of St. Benedict and Westwood Renewables, a local company who received a $2 million solar grant from Xcel energy, to build a 1,820 panel solar farm. Located on a 14-acre farm field, the 400-kilowatt solar array is expected to produce four percent of the University's energy needs. The solar farm is also being used as an educational tool, providing tours and other learning opportunities.
U British Columbia Announces Plans for Biomass Plant
The University of British Columbia has announced plans to install an on-site biomass-fueled combined heat and power generation system. The $26 million project will operate in co-generation mode for electric power production and thermal mode to produce steam. It will produce two megawatts of cost-effective clean electricity – up to six percent of the campus’s average electrical demand in co-generation mode – and up to 25 percent of the campus’s base requirement for steam in thermal mode. It will also provide research and learning opportunities for faculty and students.
Atlantic Cape CC Signs Power Purchase Agreement
Atlantic Cape Community College (NJ) has signed a power purchase agreement with Pepco Energy Services, Inc. The agreement allows Pepco to build, maintain, and operate solar arrays on ACCC campuses, and establishes that ACCC will purchase the energy generated at a fixed rate. The 2.3 megawatt installation will generate 48 percent of the College's power needs and is expected to save the school $220,000 the first year and $6.8 million over 20 years.
Edinboro U Receives Grant for 210 kW Solar Array
Edinboro University (PA) has received a grant to install a 210-kilowatt solar array atop its McComb Fieldhouse. The Governor of Pennsylvania announced the $474,000 as part of the new "Green Energy Works!" program. Besides generating electricity for the University, the array will allow Edinboro to market and sell solar renewable energy credits and will create 10 skilled-labor jobs.
Furman U to Harness Energy from Elliptical Machines
The Furman University (SC) Senior Class has announced plans to purchase 15 elliptical machines that are capable of producing energy while in use. A 30-minute workout on an elliptical cross-trainer typically produces enough electricity to power a light bulb for between two and three hours or a desktop computer for around a half hour. Furman officials expect the initial setup of the system to cost between $15,000 and $20,000.
Minnesota Schools Receive Grants to Cut Carbon Emissions
The Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon Project has announced the award of over $200,000 in 19 grants to 23 public high schools, colleges, and universities across Minnesota. Projects range from making energy improvements such as energy efficient lighting and motion sensors; installing renewable energy projects including solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems; increasing recycling and composting; reducing paper use and food waste; supporting community greenhouse production of local foods; and increasing sustainable transportation options by encouraging walking, biking, carpooling and bus riding to school. Higher education grant recipients include: Bemidji State University; Dakota County Technical College; Hibbing, Itasca, Mesabi Range, Rainy River, and Vermilion Community Colleges; University of Minnesota, Deluth; University of Minnesota, Morris; and Winona State University.
Mount Union College Installs 54 kW Solar Array
Mount Union College (OH) has begun operating its new 54 kW solar panel installation on the roof above the Peterson Field House. The panel produces enough energy to power the fitness center in the building below.
U Albany Reduces Energy Costs by $319K
The State University of New York at Albany has announced that it reduced energy costs by a total of $319,000 through energy-saving steps during the fall semester and winter intersession. The biggest savings, $241,000, came through the Intersession Energy Savings campaign with the remainder through the University’s Fall Energy Campaign. U Albany's Intersession Energy Savings initiative, which ran from December 18, 2009 through January 14, 2010, led to a 30 percent decrease in electricity use, 11 percent decrease in fuel use, and 10 percent decrease in water consumption over the same period, prior to initiating these energy initiatives in 2008.
Bowdoin College Launches Building Energy Dashboard
Bowdoin College (ME) has launched a building dashboard that provides real-time measurements of energy use of campus facilities. Visitors to the building dashboard site can select a building and view total consumption for the day, or usage on a per-person or square footage basis. They can also select a timescale — usage over a day, week, month, or year — and construct comparisons between buildings.
Colorado State U Dorm Shows Energy Consumption in Real Time
Colorado State University students will soon be able to track their dorm's energy consumption in real time thanks to a $44,000 grant from the Rocky Mountain Institute. This new technology will kick off the "Green Warrior Campaign," which runs through mid-March and aims to create a culture of sustainability on campus. During the campaign, students will have the opportunity to register online and pledge to participate in environmentally friendly tasks. The campaign website will provide an area to track sustainability efforts such as conserving water, saving electricity, and recycling on campus.
Portland State U Receives $1M for Geothermal System
Portland State University (OR) has received a $1 million grant to drill geothermal wells near a campus science building and help purchase a 1,000-ton heat pump for additional heating and cooling in the 13-building campus energy loop. Design work has begun, and well construction will start this summer. The system should be operational in 2011.
Portland State U Receives Rebate for Building Energy Improvements
Portland State University has received a $313,114 incentive check from the Energy Trust of Oregon for recent energy-efficient improvements to a campus building. Improvements to the building's heating and cooling system will save an estimated 1.4 million kilowatt hours or $126,000 in annual energy costs. New features include a chiller for the data center, carbon monoxide controls for parking garage exhaust fans, and the ability to use outside air to help cool the building during moderate temperatures.
U California Davis Receives $2.5M for Waste-to-Energy Plant
The University of California, Davis has received $2.5 million in federal stimulus funds to help build an $18 million waste-to-energy plant to power a campus housing, office, and retail project. The plant will convert food scraps from campus cafeterias, animal waste, and tree trimmings into methane, which will then provide energy for a fuel cell to make electricity for the new development. The plant is expected to begin operation in 2013 or 2014.
U Colorado Boulder Tops 3 Buildings with Solar Panels
Three buildings at the University of Colorado, Boulder have been mounted with solar panel arrays. The Coors Events/Conference Center and the Housing System Maintenance Center each received 210 solar panels while the Wolf Law Building received 52 solar panels. Through a partnership with Rockwell Financial Group, the University does not have to pay for the solar installations initially. This partnership allowed Rockwell to receive a number of tax rebates and incentives the University would not have been eligible to receive. The 140,000 kilowatt hours that the installations will produce will help power the buildings on which they are installed. In seven years, CU-Boulder will have the option of purchasing the solar panels at a fraction of their original cost and also will be able to sell solar power back to the local energy company.
Al-Fateh U Partners with Mitsubishi on Solar Power
Al Fateh University (Libya) has installed a solar power generation demonstration system on its campus donated by the Mitsubishi Corporation. The system, which consists of a solar power generation device and simulation, monitoring, and data processing equipment, will allow students and professors to carry out field analysis on the relations between power generation and climate conditions.
Bristol CC, Gordon College Receive Grants for Wind Energy
Bristol Community College and Gordon College have received grants to study the feasibility of wind energy on their campuses. BCC received $65,000 to investigate the possibility of installing a 1.5 MW turbine generator to help offset energy costs for the College. Gordon College received $53,000 to evaluate the feasibility of installing a one MW turbine. The study will include an analysis of turbine performance at the site including wind resource assessment, financial analysis, and site feasibility analysis and a permitting plan. The funds were distributed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
Central College Receives $250K for 25KW Solar Array
Central College (IA) has received a $250,000 State Energy Program grant to assist the College with its technology demonstration category project to install a 25 kilowatt photovoltaic array, which will be located on top of the education and psychology building. The array is expected to provide approximately four percent of the building's energy needs. Renewable energy information will be described on the building’s kiosk.
Colorado State U Dedicates 2 MW Solar Farm
Colorado State University has dedicated a two-megawatt operation that will help keep the University’s utility rates stable and affordable during the next 20 years. The solar power plant, owned and operated by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, features more than 8,000 panels that cover 15 acres of the University’s Foothills Campus. The panels rotate to track the sun’s movement. The project received a rebate to offset construction costs.
Edinburgh U Reduces Carbon Emissions
Edinburgh University (United Kingdom) has announced that it has reduced its carbon emissions 31 percent since 1990 during which time its enrollment tripled. The University has been able to reduce its emissions by retrofitting buildings, installing a highly efficiency combined heat and power plant, and employing energy-reduction campaigns. The most recent initiative, Transition Edinburgh University, asked students and employees to reduce their personal energy use. Next year's campaign will ask students to make their living spaces more energy efficient. The University has signed the national 10:10 climate campaign, pledging to cut energy use 10 percent by 2010.
Princess Noura bint Abdulraham U Purchases Green Chillers
Princess Noura bint Abdulraham University (Saudi Arabia) has contracted with Johnson Controls and its joint-venture partner the Al Salem Group to assist in building an environmentally-friendly campus. The University is currently under construction and will be a women’s only university. The $87 million contract will provide 26 dual-compressor centrifugal chillers with a closed loop condenser cooling water circuit. Being radiator cooled, the chillers will not only save more than 2100 gallons of water per minute of chiller operation, they will also save the considerable amount of energy that would be required to treat that water. The chillers do not contribute to ozone depletion.
Scotch College Taps into Solar Power
Scotch College’s (Australia) remote Kyre Campus on Kangaroo Island has been without electricity until now. The College has installed a ZEN Freedom solar power system that will provide much needed power to the campus where students go to study sustainability and marine biology. The system has been designed to match solar energy generation with energy demand at the campsite and demonstrates to students via both the internet and local network all the environmental data that impacts the amount of energy generated by the system.
Team Germany Wins 2009 Solar Decathlon
For the second consecutive year, Team Germany from Darmstadt won the 2009 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Competition in Washington D.C. The team of university students was awarded for designing, building, and operating the most efficient and attractive solar–powered house, which had a surplus of energy during three days of rain. The "Cube House" earned the team 908.29 points out of a possible 1,000 to win the competition.
Tokai U Builds Solar-Powered Car
Tokai University (Australia) students built a solar powered car for the solar car race Global Green Challenge, which took place in Australia in October 2009. The students adapted 2,176 solar cells to use on their car, named the Tokai Challenger.
U Arizona Tops Parking Garage with Solar Panels
The University of Arizona has topped one of its main parking structures with 1,150 solar panels. The installation of the panels, which were attached at a 10-degree slant on a recycled steel framework, will provide the University with 200 kilowatts of electricity and will also provide shade to vehicles parked under the panels. The panels cost the University nothing to install and are owned and maintained by the local utility company under the condition that the University will purchase all the electricity produced.
U Illinois Receives Energy Efficiency Funding
The University of Illinois has received more than $848,000 from Governor Pat Quinn to increase energy efficiency on campus. The funding will be used to install energy wheels to stop warm air from leaving many new and renovated buildings; insulation on steam pipes; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls; exhaust controls; and geothermal systems. The University expects to save $1 million annually as a result of the energy investments. The $848,000 is a portion of the $100 million federal stimulus dollars allocated to the state of Illinois by the Department of Energy.
Syracuse U Opens Green Data Center
Syracuse University (NY) has completed its new Green Data Center. The $12.4 million, 12,000-square-foot facility uses an innovative on-site power generation system for electricity, heating and cooling, and incorporates IBM’s latest energy-efficient servers, computer-cooling technology and system management software. The Center is anticipated to use about 50 percent less energy than a typical data center. The SU GDC features an on-site electrical tri-generation system that uses natural gas-fueled microturbines to generate all the electricity for the center and cooling for the computer servers. The center will be able to operate completely off-grid. The project is seeking LEED Silver certification.
U Toronto Athletic Center Installs Solar Hot Water Heater
The University of Toronto (ON) Athletics Center has installed 100 rooftop solar collector panels to supply nearly 25 percent of the heat for the building's showers and laundry facilities during peak sunshine months, substantially reducing natural gas use throughout the year. The initiative first took shape as a student project in 2006, when Faculty of Applied Sciences undergraduate Ashley Taylor evaluated the feasibility of installing solar collector panels at the location. Now employed full-time by the University's sustainability office, Taylor worked with the facilities and services division on campus to see the project through to completion.
William Paterson U to Install 3.5 MW Solar Array
William Paterson University (NJ) has reached an agreement with Nautilus Solar Power and SunDurance Energy to install a 3.5 MW solar array. The project, which will include the installation of solar panels on the rooftop and parking lot of the campus, will initially aim to generate three megawatts of solar power with the completion of its first phase this summer. The second part of the project, which will add another 500 kilowatts, is currently scheduled to go online sometime in 2011.The school estimates that it will save $4.3 million in energy costs over the next 15 years.
Chronicle of Higher Ed Covers Pressure Faced by Coal Campuses
The Chronicle of Higher Education has published an article on the pressure faced by coal-burning campuses to convert to renewable fuels. Higher education institutions mentioned include: Pennsylvania State University; University of Wisconsin, Madison; Binghamton University (NY); University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; University of Southern California; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; Duke University (NC); Virginia Tech; Ohio State University; University of Manitoba; and Ball State University (IN).
Cornell U Sets Goal to Become Coal-Free
Cornell University (NY) has finished a new Combined Heat and Power Plant, which uses mainly natural gas, that will help the institution move away from using coal by mid-2011. The plant will not only provide electricity, but the extra heat will be used to keep buildings warm. The new plant is expected to reduce the University's carbon footprint by almost 30 percent.
Southwestern U to be Powered 100% by Wind
Southwestern University (TX) has signed an agreement with the City of Georgetown that will enable the institution to meet all of its electric needs with wind power for the next 18 years. Wind-generated power will be provided by the City of Georgetown through an agreement with AEP Energy Partners, a subsidiary of American Electric Power. The electricity will come from the Southwest Mesa and South Trent Wind Farms in West Texas. These two wind farms have a total of 151 wind turbines, each of which can generate between 0.7 to 2.3 megawatts of electricity.
Yale U Installs Thin Film Solar System
Yale University (CT) has installed a 22 kw thin film solar system on one of its dormitories. Traditional solar cells are made from silicon and are usually flat-plated and bolted to the roof at a 45 degree angle. Second generation solar cells are called thin-film solar cells because they are made from amorphous silicon or non-silicon materials such as cadmium telluride. Yale will gather data over time and compare the new system's energy yield to conventional panels already in place on campus to better assess the technology’s fit for the campus. The brand new system is expected to provide roughly three to five percent of the building’s annual electricity consumption.
Bristol CC, Gordon College Receive Grants for Wind Energy
Bristol Community College and Gordon College have received grants to study the feasibility of wind energy on their campuses. BCC received $65,000 to investigate the possibility of installing a 1.5 MW turbine generator to help offset energy costs for the College. Gordon College received $53,000 to evaluate the feasibility of installing a one MW turbine. The study will include an analysis of turbine performance at the site including wind resource assessment, financial analysis, and site feasibility analysis and a permitting plan. The funds were distributed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
Central College Receives $250K for 25KW Solar Array
Central College (IA) has received a $250,000 State Energy Program grant to assist the College with its technology demonstration category project to install a 25 kilowatt photovoltaic array, which will be located on top of the education and psychology building. The array is expected to provide approximately four percent of the building's energy needs. Renewable energy information will be described on the building’s kiosk.
Colorado State U Dedicates 2 MW Solar Farm
Colorado State University has dedicated a two-megawatt operation that will help keep the University’s utility rates stable and affordable during the next 20 years. The solar power plant, owned and operated by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, features more than 8,000 panels that cover 15 acres of the University’s Foothills Campus. The panels rotate to track the sun’s movement. The project received a rebate to offset construction costs.
U Arizona Tops Parking Garage with Solar Panels
The University of Arizona has topped one of its main parking structures with 1,150 solar panels. The installation of the panels, which were attached at a 10-degree slant on a recycled steel framework, will provide the University with 200 kilowatts of electricity and will also provide shade to vehicles parked under the panels. The panels cost the University nothing to install and are owned and maintained by the local utility company under the condition that the University will purchase all the electricity produced.
U Illinois Receives Energy Efficiency Funding
The University of Illinois has received more than $848,000 from Governor Pat Quinn to increase energy efficiency on campus. The funding will be used to install energy wheels to stop warm air from leaving many new and renovated buildings; insulation on steam pipes; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning controls; exhaust controls; and geothermal systems. The University expects to save $1 million annually as a result of the energy investments. The $848,000 is a portion of the $100 million federal stimulus dollars allocated to the state of Illinois by the Department of Energy.
Bristol CC Makes Efficiency Upgrades
Bristol Community College (MA) has made a number of energy efficiency changes to one of its buildings that will result in monetary savings. Changes include more efficient lighting, better insulation and windows, and the addition of 420 solar panels. The renovations will save the College about $442,000 a year.
Campuses Celebrate Holidays with Green Initiatives
Several campuses have employed eco-friendly initiatives to celebrate the holidays this year. Initiatives include using LED lights on evergreen trees, powering LED lights with solar energy, and encouraging campus employees who chose to decorate their offices to use eco-friendly lights.
Dartmouth Receives $330K for Campus Energy Monitoring Project
Dartmouth College has received a $330,936 grant from the New Hampshire Green House Gas Reduction Fund to help implement a Campus Energy and Sustainability Management System. This new system, which will measure and monitor energy use around campus, will help the College reach its goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2030. The Campus Energy and Sustainability Management System at Dartmouth will be implemented over the next several months, starting with the buildings that have the highest energy use. By the end of one year, an array of approximately 250 building energy meters will be tied in to the system, and software will help detect inefficiencies in system operations. The grant award will be matched by funds at Dartmouth.
Harvard U Buys Wind Power
Harvard University (MA) has agreed to purchase more than 10 percent of its energy from a new 17-turbine wind farm. The Stetson Wind II facility will begin generating electricity by the middle of 2010 and Harvard will be purchasing half its power.
Minnesota Campuses Launch Carbon Reduction Initiative
The Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon initiative, which started earlier this year, has encouraged staff and students at several Minnesota colleges and universities to reduce campus energy use and carbon emissions. Students at the University of Minnesota, Duluth screwed in 50,000 new LED light bulbs in the school's Ordean Court as part of the initiative. The Schools Cutting Carbon program is a three-year effort by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Office of Energy Security, and Clean Energy Resource Teams. All 103 participating schools received $500 grants to conduct energy audits to calculate their carbon footprints and began mini-projects and activities to start cutting carbon and draw awareness to the problem. Now the schools are competing for about a dozen $20,000 grants to put their bigger ideas to work.
Mount St. Mary’s U to Host $60 Million Solar Project
Mount St. Mary’s University (MD) has partnered with Constellation Energy to be the site of a $60 million solar project as part of the state’s Generating Clean Horizons initiative. The project will place solar panels on 100 sunny acres of the University’s campus and produce 15.9 megawatts of power, 1.2 of which will return to the University.
North Carolina State U Announces Winter Shutdown
North Carolina State University has announced plans to set back its heating and lighting systems for more than 200 buildings over the holiday break in an effort to save a substantial amount of money and reduce the amount of carbon being expelled into the atmosphere. Facilities Operations will turn down the thermostat for the time period between Thursday, December 24, 2009, and Monday, January 4, 2010. The University is asking employees to do their part before they leave for the holiday break by making sure all office equipment in their department is turned off and unplugged.
San Diego State U Powers Pool with Solar Energy
San Diego State University (CA) has installed a 124-kilowatt solar photovoltaic array at its Aztec Aquaplex. The new array completely powers the complex, which is the most energy intensive facility on campus. In addition to the solar array, the facility installed new water pumps that are 70 percent more energy efficient.
