UVM’S COMPREHENSIVE CAMPUS RENEWABLE ENERGY FEASIBILITY STUDY

A project sponsored by

•  The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) is a student green fund, sustained by a self-imposed student fee of $10 per student per semester.

•  The CEF is designed to advance

renewable energy: Research, Education, and Infrastructure on campus.

•  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.

•  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.

“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

Education & Professional Development Outcomes 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

“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

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?