1

energy such as solar energy.

Dr. Goswami was able to

fund the project through a

state grant through the Flori-

da Energy Systems Consorti-

um and a $3.9 million grant

from the U.S. Department of

Energy to assist with devel-

oping a thermal storage sys-

tem as part of the solar

plant. Dr. Goswami also

serves as the co-director of

USF’s Clean Energy Research

Center. (4) Florida, and the

Tampa-St. Petersburg area, is

a logical location for the

exploration and develop-

ment of clean energy and

solar power technology. The

state averages roughly 240

days of sunshine and receives

85 percent of the maximum

solar resource available in

the U.S. There is large po-

tential for solar technology

development and the Florida

is already home to several

utilities companies who are

considered leading innova-

tors in the development of

solar power uses. The uni-

versity has a lot of positive

things to look forward to

from all the great “Going

Green” efforts they have

contributed.

The path to solar powered

energy has been slow, but in

some areas, it has been

steady. Private industry has

been reluctant to funnel

money into the advancement

of solar energy. Research is

expensive and implementing

the needed changes in power

grids and distribution sys-

tems has been a major ob-

stacle to a faster move to-

ward acceptance of solar

power. Development of via-

ble solar power models has

fallen mostly onto the Na-

tion’s university system. In

that area, the University of

South Florida has gained

national and international

attention for the school’s

work in development of

solar energy. In fact, USF’s

efforts to “go green” and

become an ecologically

aware campus has set exam-

ples for other universities

across the nation. In 2010,

USF launched a campus wide

effort to reduce waste and

lower energy costs. USF’s

“go green” campaign was

recognized nationally in 2010

when it was included in “The

Princeton Review’s Guide to

286 Green Colleges”. While

other institutes of higher

learning have made moves to

convert their campuses into

eco-friendly locations, USF

has stood out in its efforts to

implement a program with

sustainability that is support-

ed by the students, faculty

and the community. In the

same year that USF launched

its waste reduction effort,

the university announced the

nation’s first “School of

Global Sustainability”. (2)

This new degree program

offers a Master of Arts de-

gree in global sustainability.

Graduates will be educated

on techniques and will be

able to tackle issues of envi-

ronmental concerns from a

local level to a national level.

At the time the school was

announced, USF representa-

tives explained that the de-

gree program would com-

bine a cross-section of stud-

ies including natural and so-

cial sciences, engineering,

health, policy and economics.

. In 2011, the USF College of

Engineering began the con-

struction of a solar power

plant on the USF campus in

Tampa.(4) With this move by

Dr. D. Yogi Goswami and an

engineering staff, USF took

the lead in the development

of reliable solar power use.

The aim, according to Dr.

Goswami, is to make solar

energy cost-effective and

available around the clock.

Funding is often a challenge

as engineers work to devel-

op sustainable and renewable

BULLS CHARGE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Inside this issue:

Solar Doks 6

Solar Pole 7

Solar Golf Cart 8

SEEDS 9

New Solar Design 11

What’s USF Doing 12

University Rankings 13

USF has a mindset to go GREEN!

Team Go Green or Go Home

Caleb Payne (Researcher, Lead Editor)

Elizabeth Baker (Researcher, Editor)

Eve Fenty-Otway (Researcher, Editor)

Kevin Albert (Researcher, Interviewer, Editor)

Ashley Moore (Researcher, Editor)

SUBSTAINABILITY AND ITS FOCUS ON SOLAR ENERGY MARCH 2013

D r . F r a a n c i s T o b i e n n e E N C 3 2 5 0 . 7 9 5 S 1 3 P r o f e s s i o n a l W r i t i n g

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

3 Executive Summary

5 What’s Solar Energy

8 Solar Doks

9 Solar Pole

10 Solar Golf Carts

11 SEEDS

12 Garage Solar Panels

12 Thermal Power

Plants

13 USF’s New Design

14 FESC

14 Clean Water

15 Comparing Univer-

sities

16 Conclusion

17 Glossary

18 Bibliography

21 Works Cited

3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is not a new concept, though it has been

slow to be accepted by national governments and ma-

jor utility companies basically due to costs. In the last

20 years, however, there appears to be a move toward

embracing a power source that is both sustainable and

clean. Solar power was recognized more than a century

ago, but little movement was made to explore the pos-

sibilities of harnessing the energy on a major scale and

powering homes throughout the world. In 2010, USF

launched a campus wide effort to reduce waste and

lower energy costs. . In 2011, the USF College of Engi-

neering began the construction of a solar power plant

on the USF campus in Tampa.(4) This enabled USF to

take the lead in the development of reliable solar pow-

er use.

USPSP INSTALLS SOLAR DOKS

In February 2013, USFSP partnered with EnerFusion

(based out of Michigan) to install two Solar Doks on

campus. At first glance, Solar Doks very closely resem-

ble a typical circular picnic table with an umbrella stick-

ing out of the middle of it. A closer look shows that

there are, in fact, four electrical outlets and two USB

ports in the pole in the middle of the table. At the top

of the pole are several solar panels. These photovoltaic

(PV) panels collect the natural sunlight throughout the

day and turn it into enough energy to power the devic-

es plugged into the ports. After the sun goes down, all

the solar energy collected throughout the day contin-

ues to power the Doks so that students enrolled in

evening classes can still utilize them. All this energy is

stored in a battery bank within the Dok.

SOLAR-POWERED GOLF CARTS

Another step USF has taken in the effort to go green is

to attempt to transform their golf carts from being

powered by electricity or gasoline, to being powered by

solar energy. On the USF Tampa campus alone, there

are approximately 600 golf carts. 75 percent of them

are gasoline power and the other 25 percent are

battery powered. These carts need to be plugged in

every night in order to keep a charge. USF has fit some

of the carts with solar panels, which use solar energy to

charge and power the battery as opposed to normal

electricity. The panels cost approximately $750 but are

expected to pay for themselves within two years.

USF MAKES CLEAN DRINKING WATER USING AD-

VANCED SOLAR ENERGY

USF project was being done for two reasons, which is

first to have water desalination by the use of optimized

thermodynamic systems; and the second to Design of a

photocatalytic reactor for air purification. With popula-

tion growth, and increase in water consumption leads

to insufficient water supply. This is a great concern

about water scarcity, especially drinking water to mil-

lions of people. To fill up the gap we need to experi-

ment on the different was to provide fresh water for us

to drink. That’s where desalination of water solutions

by converting saline water into fresh water comes in to

play.

4

USFSP APPLIES FOR PARKING GARAGE SOLAR PANELS

USFSP have plans for a 350-spot expansion and a solar

panel rooftop covering for USF St. Petersburg’s parking

garage are underway to eliminate that problem while

generating green energy. USFSP applied for a grant

from Progress Energy to install solar panels on the roof

of the garage. The plan originally called for ground pan-

els, but the school proposed to have them installed on

the roof in order to provide shade for cars so the cars

don’t get damaged by the exposure to heat.

USF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR THERMAL

POWER PLANTS

USF has teamed up with the Universities of Florida and

Central Florida, and Sopogy Corporation, to design and

construct solar thermal power plants. This project tar-

gets the development of solar thermal power technolo-

gy for bulk power and distributed generation, which

will diversify energy resources in Florida and reduce

greenhouse emissions by utilizing renewable sources.

The plant will produce enough power to power 10-20

homes, but USF plans to use that power in conjunction

with conventional power to power the Interdisciplinary

Research Building. Sopogy Inc. the main contractor of

the plant at USF expects the plant to be up and opera-

tional sometime in the early months of 2013.

USF RESEARCHERS FOCUS ON SOLAR POWER

University of South Florida experts, in collaboration

with the Florida Energy Systems Consortium and nine

other in-state universities are working to develop strat-

egies on how to implement renewable and cost-

effective alternative energy sources. The university's

electric engineering specialists also are simulating a

grid system to deliver electricity and industrial engi-

neering experts are producing a portfolio of education-

al resources and tools to support a new work force.

NEW SOLAR PANEL DESIGN IN DEVELOPMENT AT USF

The new design employs a series of chevrons (V-shaped

symbols) on the panel's surface, creating angles that

help the sun's light to reach the photovoltaic cells

throughout the day. This new design could be 2% more

efficient than current panels. Although, 2% doesn’t

seem like a large increase it in fact is about a 10% in-

crease over current panels.

USFSP PLACE IN FESC

USF is a part of the Florida Energy Systems Consortium

{FESC) research, education and outreach project team

to save the world from not being able to survive once

our natural components have run out. The funding pro-

vided to the University of South Florida by the State of

Florida, through the Florida Energy Systems Consortium

(FESC), has been used to support a number of excellent

projects addressing present and future needs related to

energy and the environment .Energy efficiency, produc-

tion of electric power and biofuels by the use of renew-

able energy, water production through solar desalina-

tion.

USF AS A SUSTAINABLE LEADER

USF isn’t the only university to attempt to sustain on

what we already have and using, but in 2012 we be-

came the leader among 674 eligible universities by win-

ning the 2012 Second Nature Climate Leadership

Award. USF Provost Ralph Wilcox will accept the award

at the American College & University Presidents' Cli-

mate Commitment (ACUPCC) Climate Leadership Sum-

mit. This is a huge moment for USF and a huge step

forward in earning national recognition for our sustain-

ability efforts. I am deeply proud of our students, facul-

ty and staff for all their hard work and dedication,

which led to this major national recognition.

Continue, p.16

5

Solar energy is not a new

concept, though it has been

slow to be accepted by na-

tional governments and major

utility companies basically due

to costs. In the last 20 years,

however, there appears to be

a move toward embracing a

power source that is both

sustainable and clean. Solar

power was recognized more

than a century ago, but little

movement was made to ex-

plore the possibilities of har-

nessing the energy on a major

scale and powering homes

throughout the world. More

than a hundred years ago,

engineers were experimenting

with ways to harness the

Sun’s energy and convert it

into a usable means for man-

kind. Engineer Charles Fritts

developed a solar cell that

converted light into electric

current in the 1880s. (6) Engi-

neers have long been fascinat-

ed with the ability to use solar

energy to power everything

from cars to boats to homes.

Engineers from around the

world seem to have stirred up

particular interest in solar

energy in the 1970s. An un-

manned solar powered plane

was launched in the United

States in 1974 . England lays

claim for the creation of the

first practical solar powered

boat which was developed in

1975. The move to tap into

the Sun’s energy continued

when in 1987, Australia held

the “World Solar Challenge”.

In this race, solar powered

cars raced across the conti-

nent .. Entrants were mostly

limited to universities and

small entrepreneurs who

were experimenting with pro-

totype solar powered vehicles

with an eye for mass manufac-

turing and distribution in the

future. (6)The path to solar

powered energy has been

slow, but in some areas, it has

been steady. Private industry

has been reluctant to funnel

money into the advancement

of solar energy. Research is

expensive and implementing

the needed changes in power

grids and distribution systems

has been a major obstacle to a

faster move toward ac-

ceptance of solar power. De-

velopment of viable solar

power models has fallen

mostly onto the Nation’s uni-

versity system. In that area,

the University of South Flori-

da has gained national and

international attention for the

school’s work in development

of solar energy. In fact, USF’s

efforts to “go green” and be-

come an ecologically aware

campus has set examples for

other universities across the

nation. In 2010, USF launched

a campus wide effort to re-

duce waste and lower energy

costs. The move to eliminate

Styrofoam takeout containers

provided to be not only an

ecological success, but also a

financial success. The universi-

ty began the use of “Eco-

Takeouts” and reusable mugs

SOLAR ENERGY HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE

that reduced the by 30 per-

cent all the garbage generated

by USF. (3)Prior to the eco-

program, the university dis-

carded some 8,000 disposable

containers a week. The uni-

versity’s cafeteria service saw

a savings of about $6,000 as a

result of the effort. (3)But

USF wasn’t done “going

green”. USF’s “go green” cam-

paign was recognized national-

ly in 2010 when it was includ-

ed in “The Princeton Review’s

Guide to 286 Green Colleg-

es” . While other institutes of

higher learning have made

moves to convert their cam-

puses into eco-friendly

"USF is deeply committed to building

healthy, sustainable communities," said

USF President Judy Genshaft. "That's why we launched our School

of Global Sustainability this

year .”

6

"I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun's energy. If sunbeams were weapons of war, we would have had solar energy centuries ago." -George Porter Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry, 1967

DR. FRAANCIS TOBIENNE

Dr. Yogi Goswami gives a speech.

locations, USF has stood out

in its efforts to implement a

program with sustainability

that is supported by the stu-

dents, faculty and the com-

munity. In the same year that

USF launched its waste re-

duction effort, the university

announced the nation’s first

“School of Global Sustainabil-

ity”. (2) This new degree pro-

gram offers a Master of Arts

degree in global sustainabil-

ity. Graduates will be educat-

ed on techniques and will be

able to tackle issues of envi-

ronmental concerns from a

local level to a national level.

At the time the school was

announced, USF representa-

tives explained that the de-

gree program would combine

a cross-section of studies

including natural and social

sciences, engineering, health,

policy and economics. (2) In

addition to the Princeton

recognition, “Students in

Free Enterprise” (SIFE) on the

USF campus were named

regional champions for the

third time in five years for

their project that assisted

local businesses through a

transition to more sustaina-

ble business practices.” (#5)

This is a great example of

how the university is contrib-

uting locally to the communi-

ty to help the “Going Green”

efforts expand for a better

understanding and effect.

The national recognition also

enables the university to

attract outside funding to

finance such eco-friendly and

significant projects such as

the USF solar power plant. In

2011, the USF College of En-

gineering began the con-

struction of a solar power

plant on the USF campus in

Tampa.(4) With this move by

Dr. Yogi Goswami and an

engineering staff, USF took

the lead in the development

of reliable solar power use.

The aim, according to Dr.

Goswami, is to make solar

energy cost-effective and

available around the clock.

Funding is often a challenge

as engineers work to develop

sustainable and renewable

energy such as solar energy.

Dr. Goswami was able to

fund the project through a

state grant through the Flori-

da Energy Systems Consorti-

um and a $3.9 million grant

from the U.S. Department of

Energy to assist with devel-

oping a thermal storage sys-

tem as part of the solar plant.

Dr. Goswami also serves as

the co-director of USF’s Clean

Energy Research Center. (4)

Florida, and the Tampa-St.

Petersburg area, is a logical

location for the exploration

and development of clean

energy and solar power tech-

nology. The state averages

roughly 240 days of sunshine

and receives 85 percent of

the maximum solar resource

available in the U.S. There is

large potential for solar tech-

nology development and the

Florida is already home to

several utilities companies

who are considered leading

innovators in the develop-

ment of solar power uses.

The university has a lot of

positive things to look for-

ward to from all the great

“Going Green” efforts they

have contributed. Publicity

and positive write-ups are

always beneficial when entic-

ing potential new students to

the university. It allows the

university to show the new

student what they are doing

to help the community as a

whole. The publicity acts as a

great advertising method to

the community for potential

additional community sup-

port. The university can ex-

pect more turn-out at events

held such as the “Campus

and Community Sustainabil-

ity Conference” and the

“Going Green Tampa Bay

Expo”. (#5) These events also

encourage additional com-

munity support for USF’s

“Going Green” efforts. The

innovations and progress

that USF has made in the

solar energy field has put it

on the national map for fund-

ing and recognitions. The

next logical step will be the

international stage as the

university continues its role

as a leader in developing a

sustainable and renewable

source of energy.

7

USF FINDS WAYS TO USE THE SUN

*SOLAR DOKS*

*TRANSPORTATION*

*SEEDS*

*PARKING GARAGE*

*SOLAR POLE*

8

SOLAR DOKSSOLAR DOKS

In this day and age, virtually every student has at least one electronic device in their possession. Such devic-

es could include cell phones, laptops, tablets, and MP3 players. The amount of electricity needed to power

and charge these devices is rapidly increasing due to the equally increasing amount of devices out there on

the market today as well as the amount of people using them. USFSP has discovered a way to accommo-

date the use of these devices while decreasing the amount of electricity needed to power them.

Recharge!: USPSP Installs Solar Doks

In February 2013, USFSP partnered with EnerFusion

(based out of Michigan) to install two Solar Doks on

campus. One of the Doks is located behind the li-

brary and the other is located by the water near

Coquina Hall. At first glance, Solar Doks very closely

resemble a typical circular picnic table with an um-

brella sticking out of the middle of it. A closer look

shows that there are, in fact, four electrical outlets

and two USB ports in the pole at the middle of the

table.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

These photovoltaic (PV) panels collect the natural

sunlight throughout the day and turn it into enough

energy to power the devices plugged into the ports.

To further explain, here is what the EnerFusion

website has to say about how PV panels create

power: “Photovoltaics or PV for short can be

thought of as a direct current (DC) generator pow-

ered by the sun. When light photons of sufficient

energy strike a solar cell, they knock electrons free

in the silicon crystal structure forcing them through

an external circuit (battery, inverter or direct DC

load), and then returning them to the other side of

the solar cell to start the process all over again. The

voltage output from a single crystalline solar cell is

about 0.5V with an amperage output that is directly

proportional to the cell’s surface area

(approximately 7A for a 6 inch square multi-

crystalline solar cell). Typically 30-36 cells are wired

in series (+ to -) in each solar module. This produces

a solar module with a 12V nominal output (~17V at

peak power) that can then be wired in series and/

or parallel with other solar modules to form a com-

plete solar array.”

USF installs its first Solar Dok.

(PHOTO/Trevor Pettiford, staff,

BayNews 9)

9

What if there’s no SUN?

After the sun goes down, all the solar energy

collected throughout the day continues to power

the Doks so that students enrolled in evening

classes can still utilize them. All this energy is

stored in a battery bank within the Dok. As of

2012, EnerFusion also improved the lighting fea-

ture on the Doks, allowing better lighting for peo-

ple using them at night. The Doks now have two

1000 Lumen low power, high intensity lighting

systems as opposed to the previous 700 Lumen.

The Doks are also equipped with a push button

to turn the lights on and off as well as a timer for

the lights. Both of these features allow for the

preservation of the stored solar energy when the

Dok is not in use. In addition, the bulbs used are

LED, which use anywhere from fifty to eighty

percent less energy than a typical incandescent

light bulb.

USFSP has also installed a Solar Pole (also referred to as a Solstice

Pole) near the benches outside the main entrance of STG (the Science

and Technology building). This is simply a Solar Dok without the circu-

lar seating. This one simply has bench attached to either side of the

pole. Solar Doks and Solstice Poles can be designed in many different

ways to accommodate the area they are installed in as well as the

people expected to use them. For instance, a Pole can be placed alone

next to seating that is already there or it can be turned into a full Dok,

with circular seating and a table top.

THE SOLAR POLETHE SOLAR POLE

10

TRANSPORTATIONTRANSPORTATION

Another step USF has taken in the effort to go

green is to attempt to transform their golf carts

from being powered by electricity or gasoline, to

being powered by solar energy. On the USF Tampa

campus alone, there are approximately 600 golf

carts. 75 percent of them are gasoline power and

the other 25 percent are battery powered . These

carts need to be plugged in every night in order to

keep a charge. USF has fit some of the carts with

solar panels, which use solar energy to charge and

power the battery as opposed to normal electricity.

The panels cost approximately $750 but are ex-

pected to pay for themselves within two years.

Aside from saving electricity, these carts would no

longer need to be powered by gasoline, therefore

completely eliminating the amount of carbon emis-

sions created by the gas powered carts. There is no

evidence of these solar powered carts on the St.

Petersburg campus of USF quite yet, but it is up to

each department to decide if they have a need for

the carts and if they can fit them into their budget.

It is considerably cheaper to fit the carts with the

solar panels versus purchasing a brand new solar

power cart (which can cost as much as $9,000). USF

students have agreed to help to pay to get all of

the gold carts fitted with the panels. One dollar per

credit hour has been added to their tuition, re-

sulting in approximately one million dollars a year.

There are about one hundred golf carts left on the

USF campus to be converted. There is a potential

for the other USF campuses (Sarasota, Lakeland,

and St. Petersburg) to continue with this move-

ment as long as the needs and funds can be met.

Riding with the Bulls!: Solar-powered Golf Carts

11

The University of South Florida St. Peters-

burg (USFSP) teamed up with the city of St.

Petersburg and Progress Energy Florida to

purchase a 5kW x 4-hour energy storage

system from VRB Power in May of 2008.

These storage systems are also known as the

sustainable electrical energy delivery system

(SEEDS). USFSP installed the solar array on

the St. Pete campus to help reduce cost dur-

ing times of high demand usage and to chase

the vision of a more green and eco-friendly

Earth.

HOW SEEDS WORKS

SEEDS is a complex yet simple way to save

energy. The lithium-ion battery is stored in a

6 feet high, 2 ½ feet wide and 5 feet deep

cabinet. This is convenient because it can fit

into any existing area and can even replace

most back-up generators. This battery is

were the energy that is generated by solar

panels is stored until it needs to be put back

on the grid to be used. The University of

South Florida uses this technology to make

renewable energy available when it’s needed

the most. SEEDS is one of the most cost-

efficient and least polluting forms of renewa-

ble energy. SEEDS uses at photovoltaic sys-

tem to accumulate solar energy, which is then

stored and used at a later time (Clean 5).

Not only does this energy storage

systems save on the environment, but it’s also

used for educational purposes. USF’s Power

Center for Utility Explorations (PCUE) mis-

sion is to “explore all power systems issues

comprehensively and develop solution to the

complex challenges in electricity infrastruc-

ture, and to train the next generation of pow-

er engineers” (Renewable-Energy). PCUE is

just one of many organizations on USF’s cam-

pus to use SEEDS as a learning tool. The engi-

neering department uses SEEDS to help edu-

cate and encourage students to make a differ-

ence. also used for educational purposes.

USF’s Power Center for Utility Explorations

(PCUE) mission is to “explore all power sys-

tems issues comprehensively and develop

solution to the complex challenges in electric-

ity infrastructure, and to train the next gener-

ation of power engineers” (Renewable-

Energy). PCUE is just one of many organiza-

tions on USF’s campus to use SEEDS as a

learning tool. The engineering department

uses SEEDS to help educate and encourage

students to make a difference.

SEEDS

“One of the most important challenges of

the age is our future and how it could be

met by this energy storage system.” Alex Domijan,

Executive Director of the Office of Research

at USF

12

PARKING GARAGE USFSP APPLIES FOR PARKING

GARAGE SOLAR PANELS

University of South Florida

St. Petersburg campus has currently

had students complaining about

parking on the seventh floor of the

student parking garage. “The sixth

floor had entirely filled up, so I

parked on the seventh and thought

nothing of it, until I got back to my

car and realized that the heat had

melted the volume knobs on my ste-

reo,” said student Haley Christian.

USFSP has decided to take action.

They have “plans for a 350-spot ex-

pansion and a solar panel rooftop

covering for USF St. Petersburg’s

parking garage are underway to elim-

inate that problem while generating

green energy.” (Marcus, 2013) This

will not only allow more students to

park in the garage, to assist with the

growing student body of USFSP, but

will help provide renewable clean

energy at the school. “USFSP applied

for a grant from Progress Energy to

install solar panels on the roof of the

garage. The plan originally called for

ground panels, but the school pro-

posed to have them installed on the

roof in order to provide shade for

students like Haley Christian who

dread parking there” (Marcus, 2013).

USF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

OF SOLAR THERMAL POWER

PLANTS

USF has teamed up with

the Universities of Florida and

Central Florida, and Sopogy Corpora-

tion, to design and construct solar

thermal power plants. “This project

targets the development of solar

thermal power technology for bulk

power and distributed generation,

which will diversify energy resources

in Florida and reduce greenhouse

emissions by utilizing renewable

sources. Also, there will be economic

impacts with the establishment of

new power industry in Florida, which

will help the electrical utilities of the

state to meet the renewable portfo-

lio standards. The project has three

main tasks; the first one is to develop

design methodologies and standards

for the proven solar thermal power

technologies in combination with bio

or fossil fuels based on Florida condi-

tions and resources. Secondly, the

project aims to set up demonstration

and test facilities for these

technologies for optimization for

Florida conditions, and the final task

is to develop and commercialize in-

novative technologies based on new

thermodynamic cycles.” ("FESC Re-

search, Education and Outreach Pro-

ject Progress Reports") The thermal

plant will use combination of solar

radiation and thermal energy from a

natural gas boiler to create energy.

“The plant will use parabolic trough

collectors (PTCs), which are curved

mirrors that follow the sun from east

to west and collect the heat to pro-

duce power at a later time.” says D.

Yogi Goswami. “Goswami and his

team expect to encapsulate the ener-

gy in phase change materials (PCMs),

which will help the plant run 24

hours a day. The PCMs store energy

when heated and release it when

cooled, without the outside shell

melting, to produce pow-

er.”(Mooren, 2011) The plant will

produce enough power to power 10-

20 homes, but USF plans to use that

power in conjunction with conven-

tional power to power the Interdisci-

plinary Research Building. Sopogy

Inc. the main contractor of the plant

at USF expects the plant to be up and

operational sometime in the early

months of 2013.

USF RESEARCHERS FOCUS ON

SOLAR POWER

“University of South Florida

experts, in collaboration with the

Florida Energy Systems Consortium

and nine other in-state universities,

are working to develop strategies on

how to implement renewable and

cost-effective alternative energy

sources”(McKenzie, 2009). USF is

coming together as a school to fight

the good fight and create new inno-

vative sources of energy that are not

only go for the environment, but are

cost effective.

13

“The College of Engineering's Clean Energy

Research Center is concentrating on the de-

sign and construction of a pilot on-campus

solar power plant. The chemical engineering

department is centered on converting solar

heat to electrical power and nonfood items

containing carbon, such as plant and animal

waste, into clean burning liquid fuels. The

electrical engineering department is focused

on creating a micro-grid system to deliver

renewable energy and on designing solar-

powered water desalination techniques to

provide clean drinking water. The university's

electric engineering specialists also are simu-

lating a grid system to deliver electricity and

industrial engineering experts are producing

a portfolio of educational resources and tools

to support a new work force.” (McKenzie,

2009)Professor Stanley Russell from the

School of Architecture and Community De-

sign has taken on the task of making a home

using solar power. Russell has integrated a

three year plan. In year one of this plan the

objective is to research ideas from other pro-

jects similar to this one. In year two he plans

on designing the home, and year three the

plan is to build the home.

New solar panel design in development at

USF

“The new design employs a series of chevrons (V-

shaped symbols) on the panel's surface, creating

angles that help the sun's light to reach the pho-

tovoltaic cells throughout the day.” (Kennedy,

2011) This new design could be 2% more efficient

than current panels. Although, 2% doesn’t seem

like a large increase it in fact is about a 10% in-

crease over current panels. Juliana Colon, a 24-

year-old industrial engineering major at USF Poly

who served as a manager for the solar project

said "It could lead to new ideas. We thought of

this and maybe someone will use it to think of

something bigger or more amazing, Someone has

to start it."

14

USFSP PLACE IN FESC

USF is a part of the Florida

Energy Systems Consortium {FESC) re-

search, education and outreach project

team to save the world from not being

able to survive once our natural com-

ponents have run out. “The funding

provided to the University of South

Florida by the State of Florida, through

the Florida Energy Systems Consortium

(FESC), has been used to support a

number of excellent projects address-

ing present and future needs related to

energy and the environment. Energy

efficiency, production of electric power

and biofuels by the use of renewable

energy, water production through solar

desalination, environmental cleaning

by the use of photocatalytic technolo-

gies, advancements in manufacturing

for photovoltaic module production

and CO2 sequestration and trade are

some of the projects pursued.” (FESC,

2012) With the funding USF was able to

make several strides to help our grad

student form dissertations, as well as

“patents (9), journal publications (43)

and presentations (76) at national and

international conferences”.

(FESC,2012)

USF AS A SUSTAINABLE LEADER

USF isn’t the only university to

attempt to sustain on what we already

have and using, but in 2012 we became

the leader among 674 eligible universi-

ties by winning the 2012 Second Na-

ture Climate Leadership Award. “USF

Provost Ralph Wilcox will accept the

award at the American College & Uni-

versity Presidents' Climate Commit-

ment (ACUPCC) Climate Leadership

Summit.” (Carney, 2012) "This is a huge

moment for USF and a huge step for-

ward in earning national recognition

for our sustainability efforts. I am

deeply proud of our students, faculty

and staff for all their hard work and

dedication, which led to this major na-

tional recognition. This is truly a land-

mark in USF's history." says Christian

Wells, director of USF's Office of Sus-

tainability. ( Carney, 2012) Since USF

President Judy Genshaft sign the Amer-

ican College & University Presidents'

Climate Commitment USF has made

many strides to keep to this commit-

ment. USF have been able to include

sustainability in the university's Strate-

gic Plan, organize a sustainability steer-

ing committee that prepared the uni-

versity's first greenhouse gas inventory

and Climate Action Plan. This has all

been in effort to not only help USF stick

to the commitment, but also show the

world there is a better way to live and

help save the world. (Carney, 2012)

USF MAKES CLEAN DRINKING WATER

USING ADVANCED SOLAR ENERGY

USF project was being done

for two reasons, which is first to have

water desalination by the use of opti-

mized thermodynamic systems; and

the second to Design of a photocata-

lytic reactor for air purification. (FESC,

2012) With population growth, and

increase in water consumption leads to

insufficient water supply. This is a great

concern about water scarcity, especial-

ly drinking water to millions of people.

To fill up the gap we need to experi-

ment on the different was to provide

fresh water for us to drink. That’s

where the where desalination of water

solutions by converting saline water

into fresh water come in to play. (Solar

Water Energy LLC, 2010) USFSP’s solar

energy project also includes the Solar

Water Desalination and Distillation

program. Solar distillation is used to

make drinking water in areas where

clean water is not common. Solar distil-

lation is necessary in these situations

to provide people with purified water.

Solar energy heats up the water in the

still. The water then evaporates and

condenses on the bottom of the cover-

ing glass. (CERC) In the FESC summary

report the researchers found that

“industrial waste heat, geothermal,

solar thermal, could help to ease the

energy crisis. Unfortunately, the effi-

ciency of the conventional power cycle

becomes uneconomically low with low-

grade heat sources, while, at the same

time, seawater desalination requires

more energy than a conventional water

treatment process. However, heat dis-

carded from low-grade heat power

cycles could be used as part of desali-

nation energy sources with seawater

being used as coolant for the power

cycles. Therefore a study of desalina-

tion using low-grade heat is of great

significance.” (FESC, 2012) .

WHAT ELSE IS USF DOING?

15

How does USF compare to other Universities?

University of California, Berkeley was ranked at the top

of the Green Metric Ranking in 2010. Berkeley achieved

this recommendation due its commitment to focus on

becoming a “greener” university. In 2009, the green-

house gas emissions that come from Berkeley were

down by 4.5 percent. The total campus water usage has

dropped by almost 20 percent since 1990. Berkeley has

also committed to use tap water and reduce the sales of

bottle water. In an effort to reduce bottle water sales,

the I Heart Tap Water campaign was created and

dropped sales 25 percent. Not only have they focused

on water usage but the pollutants in the air as well. A

Campus Bicycle Plan was adopted four years ago, which

increased the number of bicycle commuters by 20 per-

cent. These are just a few ways that the University of

California, Berkeley has become a more environmental-

ly friendly home to students (Americas).

Cornell University was ranked fifth in the Green Metric

Ranking. Cornell uses the elements of research and

scholarships in its approach to attack the problems of

sustainability. The university identified 237 of its course

geared toward energy. Cornell completed its Cooling

Plant in 2000, which cools all of the buildings resulting

in a reducing of 86 percent of used energy. The Cooling

Plant also decreases carbon emissions by 7,484 metric

tons per year. The campus is currently working on a

project that will be used to produce both heat and pow-

er, which will lower the use of electricity by 70 percent.

This will drop Cornell’s carbon emissions by 20 percent

(Americas).

CORNELL UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

University of South Florida was ranked 46th in the Green Metric Ranking for 2012. In USF’s efforts to achieve sustainabil-

ity they have planted over 2,000 trees on campus, implemented a free off-campus shuttle system that uses biofuel tech-

nology, increased bike lanes and sidewalks, and increased the number of recycling containers. USF has reduced its electri-

cal consumption over the past 6 years by 3 percent as a result of Greenlights replacement program. South Florida also has

5 buildings under construction that are anticipated to be LEED certified (Americas).

Although USF isn’t “Greenest University,” we are well on our way!

Some of the projects that have been scheduled to happen this year are:

Housing and Residential Services was awarded $12,340 to install lighting controls at Cy-

press Hall that would dim or brighten the lights.

$50,000 have been awarded to the Department of Computer Services the help install a

new software that will allow computers to go to sleep when not being used.

$104,760 will be used to upgrade Juniper-Poplar Hall’s heating, ventilation and cooling

system. This will help cut down on energy usage.

$24,320 will be used to construct 15 water fountains designed for refilling water bottles,

thermoses and other containers.

The last project will replace fluorescent lighting in the Crescent Hill Parking Garage with

energy-saving LED lights.

16

CONCLUSION Since the fall of 2011, USFSP Student Green Energy Fund has accrued approximately $300,000 for renewable

energy and efficiency projects on campus over the course of three years. Led by Student Government, USFSP

established a committee comprised of 50% students to ensure that students have a major voice in the renewable

energy dialogue. The path to solar powered energy has been slow, but in some areas, it has been steady. Private

industry has been reluctant to funnel money into the advancement of solar energy. The University of South Flori-

da has gained national and international attention for the school’s work in development of solar energy. In fact,

USF’s efforts to “go green” and become an ecologically aware campus has set examples for other universities

across the nation.

17

GLOSSARY OF TERMS ACUPCC– American College and University President’s Climate Commitment

CERC– Clean Energy Research Center

FESC– Florida Energy Systems Consortium

Lumen– The unit of luminous flux, equal to the luminous flux in a unit solid angle by a point source of one candle

intensity

PCUE- Power Center for Utility Explorations

Photovoltaic– of, concerned with, or producing electric current or voltage caused by electromagnetic radiation,

especially visible light from the sun

SEEDS– Sustainable Electrical Energy Delivery System

18

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1>

This source is a web page that contains and in-depth interview with Dr. Yogi Goswami and talks about

the new solar power plant that is being built by USF.

This website also list some of the accomplishments that USF has already made in the effort to go green.

Ferekides, C.S. "Thin Solid Films." High efficiency CSS CdTe solar cells. 361.362 (2000): 520-526. Print. <http://

www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004060909900824X>.

This is a volume in a journal that talks about how USF is right in the middle of helping the efficiency of

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells. This is important to solar energy because it’s what is ideal for photovoltaic

energy conversion.

McGarigal, Daniel. “Solar Dok Info Page. SGEF USF ST. Petersburg. Daniel McGarigal, 7 Feb 2013. Web. 18 Mar

2013. <https://sites.google.com/a/mail.usf.edu/sgef-usf-st-pete/follow-the-approved- proposals/solar-

dok>

This site details that announces the ordering an installation of two Solar Doks on the USFSP cam-

pus. It is a blog-style website that displays pictures of the Solar Doks as well as notifies readers of the location

of the Doks as well as when they were installed. This page shows one of the ways USFSP is aiding in the use

of solar power for energy and the site itself further shows that it is often the students themselves who pro-

pose ideas for the solar power movement.

Penn, Ivan. "USF St. Petersburg Developing Solar Battery to Store

Power for Homes." n.d.: n. pag. Tampa Bay Times. 25 June 2011. Web. 19

Mar. 2013. <http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/usf-st-petersburg-developing-solar-battery-to-

store-power-for-homes/1177180>.

This article is about usf developing solar batteries that will store

power to use in homes. It also goes over how it was when they started

to how it has evolved.

19

Carney, Ann. "Sustainable Leader." USF Magazine. N.p., June-July 2012.

Web. 19 Mar. 2013.

<http://magazine.usf.edu/2012-summer/features/sustainable-leader.aspx>.

This article is about where Usf started with their green campaign in

2008 to what projects they were working on in 2012. USF has come along

way in their quest to be sustainable.

Marcus, Jason. "USFSP Applies for parking garage solar panels." The Crows Nest. Crow's Nest staff, 12 Feb 2013.

Web. 18 Mar 2013. http://crowsneststpete.com/2013/02/11/usfsp-applies-for-parking-garage-solar-panels/.

This is a news article. The article informs us that USFSP has put a bid in to Progress Energy to receive a

grant for solar panels on top of the school parking garage. These panels will provide shade for the sixth floor of

the garage and help provide clean energy.

"Solar power stations come USF St. Petersburg." Bay News 9. Bay News 9 staff, 07 Feb 2013. Web. 18 Mar 2013.

http://www.cfnews13.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2013/2/7/

solar_power_stations.html.

This posting informs us about two solar powered charging stations that have recently been installed at

USFSP campus. The stations use solar panels to collect energy and then transfer the energy to students portable

laptops, phones, etc. The charging stations are equipped with USB ports and were installed by EnerFusion Inc.

"Solar water energy." Desalination of Seawater. Solar water energy llc, n.d. Web. 26 Mar 2013. http://

www.solarwaterenergy.net/desalinationofseawater.html.

This website explains the process of water desalination. The site summarizes how Solar Water Energy

LLC can help with their expertise, and what advantages they have over the competition.

Scherberger, Tom. "Free electric charging stations installed on campus." USFSP. N.p., 28 Mar 2012. Web. 26 Mar

2013. http://www.usfsp.edu/blog/2012/03/28/free-electric-charging-stations-installed-on-campus/.

On this site Scherberger informs the public about two new electric charging stations for students at USF

St Petersberg campus. He then talks about how students are already taking advantage of the new charging sta-

tions.

20

"Solar Doks." Enerfusion Inc.. EnerfusionInc. . Web. 26 Mar 2013. http://www.enerfusioninc.com/id47.html.

This is the enerfusion website. Enerfusion is the company that installed the solar doks at USF. The web-

site contains pictures of their doks from all kinds of locations.

"Renewable-energy project launched at two St. Petersburg sites." USF News. USF News, 27 May 2008. Web. 26

Mar 2013. http://news.usf.edu/article/templates/?a=671&z=81.

This site talks about how USF has started a new renewable energy project. USF has teamed up with pro-

gress energy and Florida High Tech to look for innovative an sustainable energy to suffice our energy needs.

"USF and Progress Energy Florida purchase two 5kW x 4hr VRB Energy Storage Systems." PR Newswire. VRB Pow-

er Systems Inc.. Web. 26 Mar 2013. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usf-and-progress-energy-florida

-purchase-two-5kw-x-4hr-vrb-energy-storage-systems-52771337.html.

This source explains how USF purchased 2 new energy storage systems. It also informs of the partners

involved in the project, and their accomplishments in the sustainable energy field.

"Americas Greenest Universities." International Business Times. IBTimes, 10 Jan 2011. Web. 26 Mar 2013. http://

www.ibtimes.com/americas-greenest-universities-253285.

This source talks about the top 100 universities in the green movement. They talk in detail about what

universities like UC Berkley and Northeastern have done to GO GREEN.

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N.p.. Web. 26 Mar 2013. http://psgs.usf.edu/usf-office-of-sustainability/history/.

This source talks about USF gains and accomplishments in sustainability. It also talks in depth about

what USF has done to become more sustainable.

"USF golf carts going solar." TBO. TBO, 08 Aug 2011. Web. 27 Mar 2013. http://video.tbo.com/v/43657600/usf-

golf-carts-going-solar.htm.

This source is a video about another of USF’s projects. This video is about USF getting new golf carts that

use solar power instead of gas or electricity making the energy completely clean.

21

WORKS CITED "Americas Greenest Universities." International Business Times. IBTimes, 10 Jan 2011. Web. 26 Mar 2013.

<http://www.ibtimes.com/americas-greenest-universities-253285>.

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magazine.usf.edu/2012-summer/features/sustainable-leader.aspx>.

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cerc.eng.usf.edu/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1>

Ferekides, C.S. "Thin Solid Films." High efficiency CSS CdTe solar cells. 361.362 (2000): 520- 526. Print.

<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004060909900824X>.

Marcus, Jason. "USFSP Applies for parking garage solar panels." The Crows Nest. Crow's Nest s taff, 12 Feb

2013. Web. 18 Mar 2013. <http://crowsneststpete.com/2013/02/11/usfsp- applies-for-parking-garage-solar-

panels/>.

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sites.google.com/a/mail.usf.edu/sgef-usf-st-pete/follow-the-approved- proposals/solar-dok>.

Penn, Ivan. "USF St. Petersburg Developing Solar Battery to Store Power for Homes." n.d.: n. pag. Tampa Bay

Times. 25 June 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2013. <http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/energy/usf-st-

petersburg-developing-solar- battery-to-store-power-for-homes/1177180>.

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22

"Clean Energy Research Center." USF. University of South Florida. Web. 18 Mar 2013. <http://

cerc.eng.usf.edu/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1>

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<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004060909900824X>.

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panels/>.

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sites.google.com/a/mail.usf.edu/sgef-usf-st-pete/follow-the-approved- proposals/solar-dok>.

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petersburg-developing-solar- battery-to-store-power-for-homes/1177180>.

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id47.html>

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les/bn9/2013/2/7/solar_power_stations.html>.

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23

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energy-florida-purchase- two-5kw-x-4hr-vrb-energy-storage-systems-52771337.html>.

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