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.
Queen's U Opens Organic Teaching Farm
Queen's University (ON) and Sodexo have partnered on a new project called MyFarm, a 76 acre piece of land that will be used as an educational tool and organic farm. The property, currently owned by Sodexo's corporate executive chef, has been made available for the students to learn where their food comes from and how it is grown. The University hopes to educate the students on the importance of food security and sustainable agriculture.
Salt Lake CC to Offer Associate's in Energy Management
The Utah Board of Regents has approved an Associate of Applied Science Degree in energy management at Salt Lake Community College's Green Academy. The degree will train students on how to install renewable energy technologies, as well as how to take advantage of tax incentives and rebates. The program requires 67 credits, 26 of which are in a specialty area.
Slippery Rock U Green Fee Funds Projects
The Slippery Rock University (PA) student green fee has distributed $19,500 in grant money to fund new projects. Professors and students recently submitted project proposals for how the funds should be spent and a committee chose five of the proposals including: a campus wide showing of Food Inc., lectures from green speakers, a biofuels project, occupancy sensors for class rooms, and electric metering equipment.
U California Davis Dorm Programs Switch to Reusable Dishware
The University of California, Davis has introduced Aggieware, an initiative that utilizes reusable dishes and compostable napkins for any residence hall event or program where food is served. The University expects the program to pay for itself within two years with decreased paper plate purchases. Every UC Davis resident advisor stores a set of Aggieware in his or her room for the floor's use.
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 Central Oklahoma Starts Car-Share Program
The University of Central Oklahoma has started a car-share program for students, faculty, and staff. The program aims to reduce campus traffic congestion, offer mobility to commuters, and reduce pollution. The program offers four 2010 vehicles: a Toyota Prius, Ford Escape, Mazda 3, and Toyota Camry. The program is in partnership with Hertz and is called "Connect by Hertz."
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.
U Dayton Announces New Minor in Sustainability
The University of Dayton (OH) has announced a new minor in sustainability, energy, and environment (SEE). The program began accepting students into an introductory course this semester. Although some courses are still under development, the SEE curriculum will emphasize learning across several disciplines to include societal, economic, engineering, science, political, artistic, historical, and ethical perspectives. The 18-credit hour minor will fulfill general education requirements and include a choice of core courses as well as flexibility in research that can be tailored to individual interests.
U Georgia President Discusses Sustainability in State of the Univ
University of Georgia President Michael Adams used his State of the University Address this year to discuss successful sustainability initiatives at UGA. He noted the "Every Drop Counts" campaign that resulted in a 22 percent drop in total water usage on campus, the reduction of energy consumption per square foot by 18 percent, and the switch to green cleaning products on campus. Adams also used the speech to accept the report and recommendations of the UGA Sustainability Working Group, promising that sustainability will be included in the University's next strategic plan, and to accept the recommendation passed by a student referendum to impose a $3 per term green fee to help fund an Office of Sustainability.
U Idaho Joins Forestry Research System
The University of Idaho has received a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to help university forestry researchers solve industry-wide problems. The University will use the funding to establish a research site in the Center for Advanced Forest Systems (CAFS), a program that links university-based forestry research programs in the U.S. By joining CAFS, the university will increase information sharing and optimize research in the areas of silviculture, biometrics, bioenergy, site resource availability, forest genetics, and geospatial analysis of forest productivity.
U Kansas Class Makes Sustainability Campaign Recommendations
A University of Kansas journalism class has developed a university campaign aimed at unifying sustainability efforts on campus. Students conducted more than 30 interviews with KU community members and traveled to Kansas State University, the University of Colorado at Boulder, the Colorado School of Mines, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Duke University (NC) to conduct research as well. The class recommended a three-year implementation plan, more involvement in campus events, increased participation from Greek and other student organizations, and unifying the leaders of campus environmental groups.
U Maryland Installs Solar Trash Compactor on Campus
University of Maryland Dining Services has installed a trial solar-powered trash compactor outside a late night campus dining facility. The dining hall was notorious for having trash overflow that would not be collected until the early morning hours. The new trash compactor, which the University currently has as a free trial, can compact what eight trash cans would normally hold.
U Pennsylvania Organizes E-Waste Collection
The University of Pennsylvania has organized an electronics waste recycling collection. During the collection, Penn students, faculty, and staff will be able to drop off their old electronics and computer hardware from home for free disposal through the University's e-waste recycler, which ensures that the materials will be processed and recycled, destroyed, or displaced in an environmentally correct manner in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
10 Los Angeles CCs Receive Green Training Scholarship Funds
The Los Angeles Times has published a blog post on the $1 million initiative launched by California community colleges to help train financially-needy students for green jobs. The funds, which were donated by Southern California Edison, a local utility company, will be segmented into $2,000 scholarships for students at 10 area colleges offering education and job training in solar panel installation, water and waste water management, transportation and alternative fuels, biofuels production and farming, green building and energy efficiency, and environmental compliance, such as air quality and pollution prevention. The 10 institutions that will provide the training include: Cerritos College, Cerro Coso Community College, El Camino College, Golden West College, Long Beach City College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, Rio Hondo College, San Bernardino Valley College, and Ventura College.
7 Campuses Receive Funding for Master in Developmt Practice Prgms
The Energy Resources Institute University (India), James Cook University (Australia), Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin (Ireland), Tsinghua University (China), University of Cheikh Anta Diop (Senegal), University of Botswana, and the University of Ibadan (Nigeria) have been selected by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as seven of 10 universities worldwide to receive $900,000 to create a new master’s in development practice (MDP) degree program. The MDP programs are designed to provide graduate students with training beyond the classroom study of economics and management that are the typical focus of most development studies programs. The program’s core curriculum bridges the natural sciences, health sciences, social sciences, and management. It combines classroom study with field experiences in a range of disciplines, including agriculture, policy, health, engineering, management, environmental science, education, and nutrition.
Agnes Scott College Prohibits Idling
Agnes Scott College (GA) has announced a new policy that prohibits trucks and service vehicles on campus to turn off their engines while making deliveries. “No Idle Zone” signs will be placed in the three areas where service and delivery vehicles frequently operate while on campus. The new policy excludes safety and emergency vehicles, electric vehicles, and trailer engines used solely to control freight temperatures. The “No Idle” policy was created to reduce wasted fuel; improve air quality on campus and in the region; and to protect campus workers, students, and visitors from potentially harmful emissions.
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.
Assam U Plants Trees On Campus
Students, faculty, and staff at Assam University (India) have declared their mission for the year to be "Green Campus Clean Campus." To help carry out this mission, students and professors have planted many saplings around campus.
Austin College Introduces Reusable To-Go Containers
Austin College (TX) has partnered with Aramark dining services to replace disposable polystyrene to-go boxes with reusable containers. Beginning February 1, diners will be able to purchase a reusable to-go container for $3. The containers are the same size as the foam boxes they are replacing, and are dishwasher safe. The used container can be rinsed, returned to the dining hall, and exchanged for a clean container. The returned containers will be washed, sanitized, and then made available for reuse. As long as a diner brings in a used container, there is no additional cost to the diner for the next box. Disposable boxes no longer will be available.
Banaras Hindu U Establishes Sustainable Development Center
Banaras Hindu University (India) has established the Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development. The role of the institute is to spread information about sustainable development and to conduct research around issues such as pollution, natural resource management, and sustainable agriculture.
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.
Brookes U Wins Sustainability Award
The Wheatley campus of Brookes University (United Kingdom) has received the Gold EcoCampus Award. The accolade looks to award those universities who dedicate their campus and curriculum to innovation in the field of sustainability and eco-management. Brookes University has installed an environmental management system and has introduced several initiatives to increase the rate of recycling and decrease the amount of waste sent to landfills.
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.
Dartmouth College to Offer Sustainability Minor
Dartmouth College (NH) will offer a new minor focused around sustainability starting fall 2010. The minor will include classes on the social, economic, and environmental sides of sustainability. Administrators want students that pursue the minor to participate in team inquiry and problem solving projects that require them to work with people from many different disciplines. The minor will incorporate contemporary issues by challenging students with real-world cases and encouraging them to interact with experts. Students involved in the minor will potentially meet with speakers and have the opportunity to travel outside the classroom as a component of their study.
Delhi Technological U Integrates Sustainability into Master Plan
Delhi Technological University (India) has integrated several green initiatives into its Master Plan. To reduce its environmental impact, the 164-acre campus will be car free, will generate one-third of its electricity from renewable resources on campus, and will utilize green architecture in its new buildings. Bicycles and battery-run vehicles will be permitted on campus. The University currently uses solar geysers in its hostels and 120 solar lights on the campus.
Dept of Energy Announces 5 University Wind Research Grants
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory and DOE’s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program announced the selection of five additional states to each receive approximately $60,000 in funding per year for three years for activities supporting Wind Powering America's Wind for Schools project. These awards will provide universities, state institutions, and non-governmental organizations funding and technical support that will be used to develop educational programs to improve understanding of wind technology and its implementation using the Wind for Schools model. The university leads on the selected projects are Appalachian State University (NC), James Madison University (VA), Northern Arizona University, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Alaska.
Dow Chemical Announces Student Sustainability Challenge Winners
The Dow Chemical Company has recognized the inaugural winners of its Sustainability Innovation Student Challenge, an awards competition established to encourage and promote solutions to the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental problems. Graduate student teams from the following international institutions were recognized: Cambridge University (United Kingdom), Peking University (China), and University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). Some of the project highlights included: building a community-based sustainable food system; energy efficient low-income homes in South Africa – an evaluation of international support mechanisms; new generation transportation fuels based on coal, natural gas and biomass; and biotechnological production of xylitol using sugarcane bagasse – an evaluation of operational parameters and economical feasibility. Graduate student teams selected for their research and innovations received $10,000 for use at the students’ discretion. In addition, The Dow Chemical Company Foundation donated $20,000 in financial support directly to each university to offset costs of managing the selection process and travel for students to the recognition event.
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.
Franklin College Switzerland Establishes Sustainability Office
Franklin College Switzerland has opened a sustainability office on campus, named the Center for Sustainable Initiatives at Franklin. The office will be in charge of making the campus more sustainable. The Center's first initiative was distributing locally-made reusable SIGG water bottles.
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Castlebar Named Green Campus
Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Castlebar (Ireland) has been declared a green campus by the environmental body of An Taisce, the national trust for Ireland, in recognition of major improvements in energy conservation and recycling in the past year. GMIT switched to green cleaning supplies, increased on-campus recycling, reduced its electricity bill, prevented significant heat loss, and launched water conservation measures. GMIT also created a Green Campus notice board that contains news and information about campus sustainability initiatives to help keep students and staff up to date with recent developments.
Georgian Court U Wellness Center Awarded LEED Gold
Georgian Court University (NJ) has been awarded LEED Gold certification for its newly constructed athletics and academic building, the Wellness Center. The 66,000-square-foot, $26-million facility uses wood from forests grown specifically for harvest; incorporates a heating, venting, and air conditioning system that lowers the structure's energy use; includes radiant floor systems, natural daylighting, and a storm water management system that features a retention pond, more than 4,500 feet of underground drainage pipes to channel runoff, and a lightweight, vegetated roof system that also mitigates storm water runoff. The center was completed in 2008.
India Institute of Technology Builds Solar Plant
The India Institute of Technology, Kanpur is building a 500 kW solar plant to research how to reduce the cost of solar power. The scientists at IIT aim to make the cost of solar competitive with conventional resources. The plant is expected to be operational in four years. The plant will provide free power to six neighboring villages.
Karnataka State Women’s U Grows Biofuel
Karnataka State Women’s University (India) has begun sharing some of its unused land with local farmers to create a bio-diesel park. The land will be used to grow trees specifically for creating biofuel. The project will create both biofuel and jobs for the local communities.
King Abdullah U Receives LEED Platinum
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia) has been awarded LEED Platinum certification. Green features include 100 shared electric vehicles spread across campus; four megawatts of solar power; and a long-term habitat preservation, restoration, and protection plan.
Luther College Begins Vermicomposting Program
Luther College (IA) students have started disposing of food waste in worm composting bins installed in seven residence halls by students from the Luther Sustainability program. The process, known as vermicomposting, allows students to place their fruit and vegetable food waste, as well as shredded newspapers, paper receipts, and old class notes in the compost bins where red worms will convert it to organic matter. Once the waste is converted to vermicompost, it will be used to fertilize the Luther Gardens.
Macquarie U Plans to Engage Staff in Sustainability Projects
Macquarie University (Australia) has announced a four-point plan for staff sustainability engagement in 2010. The goals of the staff engagement plan are to increase understanding and awareness of sustainability throughout the University, embed sustainability into governance, and to create a culture in which staff are proud of their environment. The plan includes interaction will all new staff about the sustainability vision, goals, and objectives; the establishment of a Sustainability Representative Network comprised of sustainability champions for all departments and faculties across campus; the creation of sustainability competitions between campus departments; and the creation of sustainability committees.
National U Singapore Campus Receives Green Award
The National University of Singapore’s University Town, an extended campus connected to the current one by pedestrian and vehicular bridges, has received the Green Mark Award for Districts from the government for a number of sustainable infrastructural features. The campus boasts green roofs, buses that run on compressed natural gas, a storm water capture system, and indigenous landscaping.
Norwalk CC to Offer Green Building & Technology Certificate
Norwalk Community College (CT) has announced plans to offer a new Building Efficiency and Sustainable Technology (BEST) Certificate program beginning with the Spring 2010 semester. The BEST Certificate Course curriculum is designed for displaced workers and job-changers, as well as those looking to expand their knowledge and skills to become employable in the green energy field. Certificate program courses will include: Building Technology, Blueprint Reading, Alternative and Renewable Energy, Composition, Introduction to Environmental Science, Building Efficiency Auditing, and Sustainable Energy for Residences, Businesses and Environmental Systems. The program is being funded by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor that was given to Connecticut community colleges to prepare a green collar workforce. Eight sustainable operation certificates will be created as a result of the grant.
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.
Princeton U Bogle Hall Features Green Roof
Princeton University (NJ) has completed a new dormitory in its Butler College. The new building, Bogle Hall, houses 20 undergraduate and four graduate students and features a green roof planted with succulent sedum to reduce stormwater runoff and improve heating and cooling efficiency.
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.
St. Aloysius College Initiates Green Campaign
St. Aloysius College (India) has launched a new campus-wide campaign called "Green, Clean, and Plastic Free." The College’s goal is to spread awareness among students about the importance of cleanliness and the harmful effects of non bio-degradable plastics so that its use is minimized. As part of the campaign, paper bags were distributed to students.
Suffolk U Buys Biodegradable Cutlery, Begins Composting Program
The Suffolk University (MA) Sustainability Committee has worked with its dining company to purchase biodegradable cutlery and straws and has launched a composting program in its dining hall. Student volunteers will be available to raise awareness about how to participate. The organics will be stored in air-tight containers and regularly delivered to an area farm to be turned into compost and sold.
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 Alaska Fairbanks Police ATVs Converted to Electric
At University of Alaska, Fairbanks, two ATVs used by campus police for patrolling have been converted from running on gasoline to electricity. A mechanical engineering class that teaches students how to convert cars to electric power carried out the project of transforming the two ATVs. While they may be slightly less powerful than the gasoline-powered ATVs, the new electric engine will provide campus police with what they need. They will be able to travel up to 30 miles at 20 mph.
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.
