UVM’S COMPREHENSIVE CAMPUS RENEWABLE ENERGY FEASIBILITY STUDY
A project sponsored by
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The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) is a student green fund, sustained by a selfimposed student fee of $10 per student per semester.
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The CEF is designed to advance renewable energy: Research, Education, and Infrastructure on campus.
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Fund generates $225,000 per year.
CEF Projects
Equine Center Solar PV system Solar Hot Water System @ UVM Aiken Solar Trackers Energy Auditing & Retrofitting Course University-wide Energy Display System Virtual Carport course Solar Power & Smart Grid Research Biomass Feasibility Study for Trinity Campus Clean Energy Fund Implementation and Education Program Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility Study Green Labs Program Clean Energy Internship Program
Clean Energy Futures Lecture/ Workshop Series Vermont’s Energy Future Lecture Series (2011) Climate Action Seminar (2012)
Organic Solar Cells Fabricated by UVM Students Greenhouse Solar (structural & electrical study) Pilot Revolving Door Installation (architectural study) Virtualized Desktop Computer Lab in Kalkin Ecological Food & Renewable Energy Systems Greenhouse CleanSpeed: A Zero-Emissions Vehicle Compost Power: Using Compost Power to heat a G
How significant a role can campus-based renewable energy play in UVM’s progress towards carbon neutrality?
• The Comprehensive Renewable Energy Feasibility Study (CCREFS) was proposed in Fall 2010 and awarded funding in Spring 2011. • The RFP was released in Winter 2012: • 15 firms were interested in the project and some worked together to submit a proposal. • 9 firms submitted proposals. • 3 firms interviewed and presented their proposals. • Clough, Harbour, & Associates (CHA) was selected to conduct the project in Summer 2012. • The goal: Recommendations for optimal renewable energy site locations on the University’s campus and provide on-site green job opportunity.
Project Deliverables ① A strategic campus renewable energy
plan that includes an assessment of the opportunities for selected renewable energy technologies. ② A map of all potential installation
locations.
③ Student intern involvement in the
project.
Feasibility Study • A campus strategic renewable energy plan that
included an assessment of the opportunities for the following renewable energy technologies: • Solar (thermal and photovoltaic) • Wind (ground mounted and building integrated) • Geothermal • Biofuels and Biomass • Fuel cells
• Provide an overall maximum capacity of
renewable energy potential of the UVM campus. Recommendations can be phased to accommodate successive carbon neutrality goals. • Determine the most appropriate renewable energy technologies for the University’s geographic location, and climatic conditions. • Identify the optimal location of these technologies.
The following criteria formed the basis of the analysis conducted over the summer by CHA and UVM student interns: • Site orientation and conditions, including meteorology • State and local regulatory requirements • Costs related to installation and operation • Existing utility infrastructure • Proximity to utility connection • Historical, archeological and/or culturally significant buildings and sites
Renewable Energy Potential Map Interns surveyed each building site and open ground sites on campus.
Google Earth view of Athletic Campus solar potential.
Drawings of potential roof mounted solar PV.
CEF Summer Internship • The Office of Sustainability hired five interns
on behalf of the Clean Energy Fund to observe, document, and analyze two CEF-funded projects for an average of 8-10 hours per week: ① installation of a 32 kW solar PV system at the Miller Research Farm’s Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center and, ② Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility Study.
• Three students served as the technical team.
They performed site surveys for the feasibility study. Technical interns worked with CHA at least one day per week.
“Working with a small team allowed for more understanding between members. It provided a good experience for finding one’s place in a team environment, being open to others ideas and critiques, and contributing to a greater whole.” - Richard P. Smith III, Class of 2013
• Two students served as the communications and
outreach team: ① The media intern filmed, edited and produced videos on the project. ② The outreach intern collected information and produced PR materials on the implementation of CCREFS over the duration of the project.
• Interns’ Majors: Electrical Engineering, Civil
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Community Development & Applied Economics/Communications.
Education & Professional Development Outcomes
“I believe the most valuable skill I am taking away from this internship is a new understanding of professional development… I see this internship as a bridge connecting the skills I have acquired in college with what I can offer a future employer.” - Kierstin Wall, Class of 2013
Internship Deliverables: ①
Bi-weekly blog posts on OoS website of experience
②
2-3 pg. reflection on internship experience
③
2-3 pg. draft PR narrative describing the project
④
Presentation on internship experience
⑤
Produce 6 short online videos on project (Media Intern).
Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility Study-The Survey Process video on Vimeo at: http://vimeo.com/uvmsustain/cef-ccrefs-survey
Executive Summary of Study • Solar Photovoltaic installations optimal on: • A total of 66 buildings, • 3 ground mount sites, and • 29 parking lots. • Anaerobic Digestion optimal for: • Conversion of the excess methane into a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) fuel for vehicle use. • Biomass Energy is not optimal unless certain funding and fuel supply conditions are met. • CHP/Cogeneration is not optimal. • Fuel cells is not optimal. • Geothermal heating and cooling should be explored on 11 sites. • Solar thermal optimal for sites that have hot water demand in the summer. • Wind energy is not optimal.
Learn more at: www.uvm.edu/sustain/cef
Breakout Group ① Once the findings and plan are completed, how
can we sustain the momentum?
② What are the biggest obstacles on your campus to
deploying clean/renewable energy generation sources (each group then ranks the top three)? • What can you do to overcome those obstacles?