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Solar Urbana-Champaign
Associated Project(s):From: Marta Monti <marta@midwestrenew.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2022 4:34 PM
To: White, Morgan <mbwhite at illinois.edu>
Subject: Solar Urbana-Champaign is back!Solar Urbana Champaign is back for 2022
2022 marks the seventh year for the Solar Urbana Champaign program. Since 2016, this non-profit-led program has educated 1,292 people about their solar opportunities with our Solar Power Hours presentations, and of those folks, 242 properties decided to go solar.
In partnership with our competitively-selected installer, GRNE Solar, and with support from the Citizens Utility Board (CUB), the City of Urbana, and our growing partners, we're excited to help central Illinois residents go solar and save on their energy costs!
Find us online:
- Learn all about Solar Urbana Champaign and sign up for your free site assessment by visiting the website at SolarUrbanaChampaign.com
- Be sure to like the Solar Urbana-Champaign and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) Facebook pages and join the online conversation!
- Learn more about our competitively selected solar installer, GRNE Solar, by visiting their website.
First Benchmark Reached!
Our group buy program uses the power of bulk purchasing to create an economy of scale: the more people who participate, the larger the savings become! This year's program has already passed the first 50 kilowatt benchmark, meaning that participants can look forward to additional savings. Join today and share with friends so we can achieve lower costs for everyone!
Please help spread the word:
Please share the program website or this email with your friends and neighbors or post it on your social media pages.
Remember: the more people that go solar through the Solar Urbana Champaign program, the lower the cost for all!
Pull out your yard sign, it's Grow Solar season!
Not sure where it went? No worries, it's been a while. Let us know where to drop it off and we will get you a new one.
- UPCOMING SOLAR POWER HOURS -
Share this schedule with a friend and invite them to start their solar journey with you!
8/11, Thursday: Solar Power Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Papa Del’s Pizza Factory, 1201 S Neil St, Champaign, IL
8/17, Wednesday: Solar Power Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Danville Public Library, 319 N Vermilion St, Danville, IL
8/26, Friday: Solar Power Hour, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Big Thorn Farm & Brewery, 14274 600 North Rd, Georgetown, IL – co-hosted by Big Thorn Farm & Brewery
8/31, Wednesday: Solar Power Hour, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Zoom (click to register)
— BROUGHT TO YOU BY —
Questions?
Throughout the program, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know. I can be reached at marta@midwestrenew.org.
Sincerely,
Marta Monti
MREA Solar Program Manager
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) promotes renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more about our work, visit midwestrenew.org.
Weekly Update: Social Ride, Build-a-Bike
Associated Project(s):All, Two weeks back we received three nicer bikes as donations which have proven to be quick fixes. Visit numbers were surprisingly low on Wednesday but that gave us some time to catch up on the piles of wheels and bikes we needed to strip down for parts. Sunday was the Bike Project social ride. On Monday we had a Build-a-Bike completed—a decent hybrid is a great improvement over a too-small roadmaster!—and on Friday we had another member start a Build-a-Bike.
Got an interview for a new hire this week, the Bike Project Members’ Meeting tonight, and one more of the nicer bikes to fix up.
The numbers:
Visitors: 19Sales: $800.50
Bikes (refurb): 1 for $170
Build-a-Bike: 1 for $50
Memberships: 8 for $240Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center CoordinatorHerbicide Application @ Orchard Downs Update
Associated Project(s):From: Jaquet, Izabelle Sarah
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 9:53 AM
To: Lewis, Brent C; White, Morgan
Cc: Ward, Michael Patrick; Brunk, Lauren
Subject: FTGU Herbicide Update
Hello All,
I sent an email regarding From The Ground Up's Orchard Down Plot restoration in May and don't believe I received explicit approval for the plan, so I did not initiate further action. Now that the fall semester is upon us, I would like to ask if it's still possible to apply herbicide to the whole plot?
Thank you so much,
Izabelle
--
Izabelle Jaquet (she/her)
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science & Agriculture and Consumer Economics
University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign| December 2022Insider article about the Envelope Pilot Project
Associated Project(s):https://fs.web.illinois.edu/Insider/2022/06/16/consider-the-envelope/
"Indoor air quality is important for the health and comfort of occupants. Indoor airtightness can help provide good indoor air quality by making it easier to control the indoor environment with ventilation. Additionally, airtightness is key for energy efficiency. It is not uncommon for discrepancies between expected energy usage and actual energy usage to be explained by air leakage, and so making buildings tight is vital to meet energy and climate goals."
Weekly Update: Build-a-Bike, New Hire, Community Bike Ride on Thursday
Associated Project(s):All, I was out Mon - Thurs last week sick. My staff covered admirably but, invariably, there are things they were uncomfortable taking on. Just an opportunity for further training! We had one Build-a-Bike be completed and another almost made it out the door at the last minute on Friday.
On Friday we had a visitor from Danville who is working on an Eagle Scout program rehabbing old bikes and donating them to local charities. We were able to donate 3 bikes and a handful of parts.
We also had a new hire start on Friday, received a handful of nice bike donations earlier in the week, and will process those donations this week. We’ll also work on getting a few more bikes on the sales floor as we approach August. Or maybe more accurately: AUGUST. It’ll be a doozy of a month.
On Sunday, July 31st, The Bike Project is hosting a community bike ride, so we’ll let folks know about that.
The numbers:
Visitors: 18*
Sales: $499
Bikes: 1 for $200
Build-a-Bike: 1 for $50
Memberships: 1 for $30*Likely higher actual #; technical difficulties in my absence.
Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center CoordinatorEV report from CCRPC
Associated Project(s):Please see attached.
Thank You for Attending Geothermal Illinois: Community or District-Level Systems (Renewable Heating and Cooling)
Associated Project(s):The following message was sent to individuals who attended the "Geothermal Illinois: Community - & District-Level Systems" presentation led by Brian Urlaub, Associate Vice President & Director of Geothermal Operations, Salas O'Brien:
Dear Participants,
Many thanks for attending Geothermal Illinois: Community- & district-level systems, presented by Brian Urlaub, Associate Vice President & Director of Geothermal Operations, SALAS O’BRIEN. Many thanks to the University of Illinois Extension Natural Resource, Energy, and Environment educator Jay Solomon, University of Illinois Civil and Environmental Engineering professor Dr. Tugce Baser, and Illinois Geological Survey’s Andrew Stumpf for presenting additional information on efforts, research, technology, and funding opportunities. We also recognize our network of partnering organizations, whose titles with websites are listed below, along with a link to today’s webinar recording, slide decks, and resource links.
Recording: https://youtu.be/A5x-RVKuIqQ
Slide Decks: https://uofi.box.com/s/rexji3kosgc4poifqxh21a1x9d2ftjqb
Resource Links:
- Certification : https://www.aeecenter.org/aee-certifications/certified-geoexchange-designer-program/
- Geotechnical Engineering at University of Illinois: https://cee.illinois.edu/academics/areas/geotechnical-engineering
Funding opportunities:
- DE-FOA-0002661: Notice of Intent (NOI) for Community Geothermal Heating and Cooling Design and Deployment https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/FileContent.aspx?FileID=085bafe0-6e37-4145-b03c-029e329de9fe
- DE-FOA-0002811: Request for Information (RFI): Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land
https://oced-exchange.energy.gov/FileContent.aspx?FileID=ee3f71ec-49e4-40d3-9d27-04d10be90be5
Partner organizations:
Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition (MBDC)
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
Illinois Water Resources Center
Geothermal Alliance of Illinois
International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA)
The Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEOEXCHANGE)
Many thanks for your interest in today’s topic. Our presenters and experts are copied on this email, and you are welcome to reach out to any of us for further conversation and support as you work towards energy independence, resiliency, and sustainability!
Best wishes,
NANCY OUEDRAOGO
EXT CED STATE SPECWeekly Update: Bike sales, Build-a-Bike, Bike Rodeo
Associated Project(s):All, Business as usual this last week. Still can’t keep enough bikes on the sales floor to meet demand but we have had an uptick in Build-a-Bikes. One B-a-B was finished on Friday and another started the same day.
This week we are helping out with a Safe Routes to School Bike Rodeo program by providing the basketball courts for their learn to ride course.
Thanks to Todd for putting a sizeable dent in our scrap pile, as we’ve been getting a lot of non-repairable bikes donated lately (unfortunately).
The numbers:
Visitors: 29
Sales: $862
Bikes (refurb): 2 for $235
Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
Memberships: 6 for $180Tires/tubes: 14 for $136
Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center CoordinatorSSC funds continue to support Dump and Run
Associated Project(s):The University YMCA is hosting their annual Dump and Run event in August 2022 at the Stock Pavilion. SSC funding will support this important reuse event,
Memorial Stadium Notes and SEDAC Report
Associated Project(s):The attached files include a 2017 SEDAC report and some of Karl Helmink's notes for Memorial Stadium's retrocommissioning.
Weekly Update: Bike sales, Build-a-Bike
Associated Project(s):All, Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend! We got a load of wheels/tires donated last week that we’ll be working to process this week. We’re up to 5 bikes for sale right now and should have a couple more done by the time we open tomorrow. Had one completed Build-a-Bike, which is always nice. Another person started their own B-a-B project and seems to be enjoying the process.
This week I’ll make a run to the Urbana Bike Project for some parts/supplies for various bike builds here and hopefully get a few more bikes on the sales floor.
The numbers:
Sales: $729.25
Bikes (refurb): 2 for $300
Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50Memberships: 3 for $90
Tires/tubes: 7 for $82Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center Coordinator2022 Illinois Urban Forestry Fact Sheet
Associated Project(s):Link for the 2022 Illinois Urban Forestry Fact Sheet:
https://www.nmsfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Illinois_Fact-Sheet_UF-Economic-Analysis.pdf
New Illinois Urban Forestry Fact Sheet
Associated Project(s):Linked below is the 2022 Illinois Urban Forestry Fact Sheet:
https://www.nmsfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Illinois_Fact-Sheet_UF-Economic-Analysis.pdf
New York Times Article on Agrivoltiacs
Associated Project(s):The link below is a New York Times articles on agrivoltiacs.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/business/dual-use-solar-panels-agrivoltaics-blue-wave-power.html
Weekly Update: Kids bike give away; Build-a-Bike
Associated Project(s):All, Last week we were able to fix up and give away 10 kids bikes to ISCU (Immigrant Services of Champaign-Urbana). Great to pass along valuable bikes to a valuable cause, and nice to clear some space in the Bike Center. We also virtually sold out of bikes, as we were down to a single for-sale bike on Wednesday. Fixed up 2 more for Friday but that’s likely not going to cut it, so we’ll move to finish a few more builds this week.
We had one person start on a Build-a-Bike on Friday. Hopefully should be done today or Wednesday.
Numbers:
Visitors: 31Sales: $1,289.80
Bikes (refurb): 4 for $$675Memberships: 7 or $210
Tire/tubes: 3 for $24Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center CoordinatorSSC Semesterly Report 6/27/22
Associated Project(s):Attached is the SSC Semesterly Report for the Transportation Building project dated 6/27/22
Attached Files:SSC Semesterly Report 2022
Associated Project(s):Please see attached the SSC Semesterly Report for Spring 2022.
2022 TEACHAD Webinar: Case study from the Michigan State University South Campus Anaerobic Digester
Associated Project(s):Dana Kirk, Associate Professor at Michigan State University, presented a webinar on May 31, 2022 titled "Universities go green! A case study from the Michigan State University South Campus Anaerobic Digester", which also featured Marcello Pibiri, Senior Research Engineer at Energy Resources Center UIC.
In case you missed the live webinar or if you would like to view the recorded session again, go to https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/7048417514261610508. You can register with your name and email to watch the recording. Also attached is the presentation by Dana Kirk from this webinar.
Marcello and his team at ERC organize the New Technical Education & Analysis for Community Hauling and Anaerobic Digesters (TEACH AD) Program to educate people about Anaerobic Digesters.
Weekly Update: Closed for Juneteenth, Donations
Associated Project(s):All, Short week with the observed Juneteenth holiday on Friday. We’ve steadily been receiving donations but most of them are doomed for the scrap pile. But at least we’ll get some decent parts off them.
Got a few bikes in the queue that should make the sales floor by end of week.
The numbers:
Visitors: 22
Sales: $568.19
Bikes (refurb): 2 for $215
Memberships: 7 for $210Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center Coordinator