Search tips:
Chancellor Jones approved moving forward with soliciting proposals for Solar Farm 2.0, at the Sustainability Council meeting yesterday. F&S will now start working on an RFP process to consider building another 50 acres of solar PVs on south farms.
The SWATeam recommendation, eGen007 Solar Farm 2.0, was transmitted to the Sustainability Council and was presented during their meeting on December 7, 2017.
For future updates, please refer to Solar Farm 2.0.
See iWG assessment of EGen007 Solar Farm 2.0 here.
The Sustainability Council meeting agenda is attached. The key topic is the proposal for a second solar farm.
see file
Red Oak Rain Garden 2.0 restores the original Red Oak Rain Garden that was established 10 years ago to address the flooding issue between McKinley Health Center and Allen Hall. Students will work alongside faculty, staff, and community members to plant specific plants that provide multi-season flooding protection. This project aims to increase awareness surrounding horticulture and natural flooding management while addressing an infrastructural issue on campus.
The Student Sustainability Committee provides financial support to purchase plants, signage, training materials, and hardscape. The plant species are specifically chosen for maximum efficiency and learning. Likewise, the signage will allow the passerby to identify native species. University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will support the garden while students are on academic breaks and provide Red Bison, a student-led organization, with rain garden training.
All, last week was predictably slow. I cut back almost entirely on student staff since long stretches of open hours were completely vacant of visitors. Thankfully a few student staffers wanted to work on their own bicycle projects and were able to jump in and help out when it got too busy for me to handle everyone on my own. Those instances were rare and brief, presenting a problem from a staffing prospective: not busy enough to keep someone there the whole day but busy enough that a second person is needed. Something to consider for the future is having something like an on-call staffer for the winter months to pitch in the very few times it gets busy.
Last week we had a TBP/UIUC/CBC meeting that went well. We discussed the forthcoming Bike@illinois website and brainstormed other participants for their research/interviews. Barry and I talked afterwards about potentially implementing some better inventory-tracking ideas to get a better handle on sales/stock.
This week I only work today (Monday) and then the shop will be closed until Tuesday, Nov. 28th. I’ll post on the door and on the Bike Project website (and social media pages).
Numbers:
Visitors: 55
Sales: $396.49
Bikes (refurb): 1 for $70
Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $105
Memberships: 1 for $30
Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Facilities and Services division Engineering and Construction Services (ECS) has three bikes for employees to share for campus business. Check out is easy and the same as checking out a department car or truck. Two helmets are available for borrowing and lock keys are color coded to the bike they go to.
Two of the three bikes were purchased through the Campus Bike Center, with locks and front baskets. The helmets came from Neutral Cycle. The whole project cost less than $750 and will have minimum maintenance each year.
For questions about use please contact Lily Wilcock, lwilco2@illinois.edu.
All, last week was surprisingly busy. On Friday we had all the stands full and it was something like 35° outside. That’s encouraging! We even had one person in here in shorts! Our number of for-sale bikes is slowly creeping upward as demand wanes and we have time to build during open hours. From Wednesday to Friday Michael Merriman from Campus Rec borrowed the Bluebird cargo bike for trips between ARC and CRCE (due to construction, there is a lack of car/truck parking) and reported back that he loves it.
This week I’ll continue to reduce hours for the student workers as well as cull a number of decrepit bikes and pull out the abandoned B-a-Bs. I’ll also begin looking at which student workers are graduating and how many positions I’ll have to fill come spring/summer when it gets busy again. Additionally, I’ll begin designing some new storage and stock solutions to help facilitate ease-of-use for newcomers. More and more I am tucking things away and stacking things upon other things and soon enough I am the only person who knows where anything is. That is bad and quite problematic to the mission and usability of the Campus Bike Center. If people can’t find anything they can’t use the space effectively. I’ll work on labeling/organizing and making things visible this week.
On to the numbers!
Visitors: 74
Overall sales: $493.80
Memberships: 3 for $90
Refurb/B-a-B’s: 0 for $0
Tubes/Wheels/Small Parts: 30 for $179.40
Sincerely,
Eliana Brown with the Water Resources Center presented the attached file to a Landscape Architecture class, called "Natural Precedent in Planting" taught by Dept of Landscape Architecture's Designer in Residence Katy Kraszewska.
All, last week was pretty uneventful. Visitor numbers are declining with the weather getting cooler. I’ve begun cutting back on the student staff as we get fewer and fewer visitors. We’ve got 9 refurbished bikes for sale. With fall coming on strong, I suspect we’ll see a lot of the in-progress build-a-bikes abandoned which can then be flipped for sale quicker than usual.
This week I will coordinate with Parking to pick up the salvageable bikes from the warehouse as well as build bikes and take stock of inventory.
The numbers:
Visitors for the week: 62
Sales: $187.35
Refurbished bikes: 0 for $0
Build-a-bikes: 0 for $0
Memberships: 0 for $0 (Reinstated our First Visit Free policy, which has hurt these numbers.)
Tires/tubes: 7 for $42
All, I was out of town yesterday, so this report is a day late.
Last week was surprisingly busy despite the cooler weather. I thought for sure that the drop in temps would dissuade a lot of people but we still had full stands a few days of the week. More winter commuters, I hope!
Wednesday afternoon was the Campus Sustainability Celebration that was a lot of fun and very informative. I met quite a few people involved elsewhere in the sustainability world on campus and was able to learn about some of the larger scale work being implemented. Good stuff!
We’ve outpaced sales in Build-a-Bikes vs. refurbished bikes in the month of October, something that I think bodes well for the CBC. It definitely imparts a larger sense of ownership at the least and certainly more mechanical skill versus buying our cheaper-than-retail bikes. I noticed this year a few of the bikes that we’ve sold as refurbs made it back in the warehouse after being abandoned; I haven’t found any B-a-Bs there. Obviously that is anecdotal evidence but I think it holds true.
Last week I was able to rebuild the hanging bike racks in the back to accommodate better the bikes we have. I was interviewed for the New-Gazette story that ran on Sunday to positive reviews, I believe. Bikes are being built faster than they’re being sold now, and that bodes well for the Spring.
Over the weekend I traveled to Austin, TX and was able to visit a bike cooperative space there and see some of the similarities and differences in their space and model of operation.
The numbers:
65 visitors last week
Sales: $510.20
Bikes (refurb): 0 for $0
Bikes (B-a-b): 3 for $185
Memberships: 4 for $120
Tires/tubes: 4 for $19
Sincerely,
| Occupant Action Category |
% Improvement |
Incentive Award |
| 1. Foellinger Auditorium | 41.0% | $61,994 |
| 2. Natural Resources Building | 21.0% | $38,543 |
| 3. 1207 W. Oregon | 19.4% | $15,677 |
| 4. Agricultural Engineering Sciences Building |
13.6% | $12,986 |
|
Energy Advancement Category |
% Improvement |
Incentive Award |
| 1. Early Child Development Laboratory |
25.2% | $10,000* |
| 2. Administrative Information Technology Services Building |
24.1% | $10,000* |
| 3. Astronomy Building | 23.4% | $10,000* |
| 4. ACES Library, Information & Alumni Center |
23.2% | $10,000* |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October, 31, 2017
Contact: peterm@midwestrenew.org
Solar Urbana-Champaign Bulk Solar Purchase Program Finishes Strong
Claire Johnson and Jill Houser have just finished installing solar panels on Andy Robinson’s roof as part of the Solar Urbana-Champaign 2.0 program. They are members of New Prairie Construction’s solar installation team, and part of a mostly female crew. They and other teams from New Prairie Construction will be installing 446.95 kilowatts of solar on 58 properties across Champaign County as a result of the program, which helped people save on solar through volume purchasing. Robinson not only went solar through the program, he also helped to lead it.
“I’ve thought solar was a cool way to reduce our carbon footprint ever since seeing the 2007 UI solar decathlon house in DC, but it also needed to make financial sense for our family,” said Robinson, who was hired by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to facilitate the education sessions, called “Solar Power Hours,” for the program. “Now we will offset nearly all of our electric use and it was a good financial investment. New Prairie laid out the panels on the front and back roof in a way that looks like it is a part of the design of our 1920 house. We were especially happy to meet the diverse install crew of local women and men, and a highly qualified refugee.”
“In the 1980’s, Jill and I got our start in construction through the woman-owned company Working Women Construction,” said Julie Birdwell, owner of New Prairie Construction. “When we started New Prairie Construction, we made a commitment to providing opportunities for women. We never regretted it. Our New Prairie women contribute more than just diversity. They help contribute to a positive work culture and maintain a high level of attention to detail and craftsmanship.”
“When we think about the benefits of solar energy, we often picture environmental benefits, of which there are of course many,” said Peter Murphy, Solar Program Manager at Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). “But what often gets overlooked is the growing number of solar jobs, which are local and by nature cannot be outsourced.”
“One out of every 50 new jobs added in the United States in 2016 was created by the solar industry, representing 2% percent of all new jobs,” according to The Solar Foundation, a nonprofit organization that conducts a national solar jobs census.
“We recently had an opportunity to hire an Afghan national who worked in construction for the US military in Afghanistan,” said Birdwell. “Hiring such a refugee is a way of acknowledging the risks and sacrifices he and his family have made to support our country. In addition, he and our other employees from different cultures and countries provide positive contributions to our work culture, and we feel, our overall product.”
“In the first day of solar production, our kids said that we were vacuuming with sunshine,” said Robinson. “And they are right.”
“The electricity produced by the 446 kW of solar the program has contracted will offset around 639,035 lbs of CO2 being released into atmosphere in the first year alone,” said Scott Tess, Environmental Sustainability Manager at the City of Urbana. “That amount of solar energy will also save almost 10 million gallons of water from use in thermoelectric power plants that run on coal or natural gas.”
The program was administered by the MREA at no cost to the city or the county. MREA has successfully implemented similar programs in other jurisdictions in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin as seen in Milwaukee, Cedar Rapids, Bloomington-Normal, and elsewhere. Solarize programs have taken place all over the country, from California to Maine.
"The solar branch of New Prairie Construction Co. is a natural extension of our commitment to providing high quality, environmentally responsible solutions for homes and businesses," says Julie Birdwell, co-owner of New Prairie. "Solar Urbana-Champaign 2.0 provides an excellent opportunity for our community to use the power of bulk purchasing to get premium quality installations for a great price. We are excited to work with our neighbors to help increase sustainability and energy independence in Champaign County."
MREA issued a request for proposals to solar installers in January. A local advisory committee reviewed proposals based on professional certification, experience, and cost. They selected New Prairie Construction Co., based in Urbana. They were chosen as the solar installer for the second Solar Group Buy because of their high-quality solar installations, building science expertise, and emphasis on customer service.
###
The MREA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit shortly after the first Energy Fair in 1990. MREA’s mission is to promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living through education and demonstration. To learn more, call 715-592-6595 or visit www.TheEnergyFair.org or www.midwestrenew.org.
MSU asked the following questions of the Big Ten schools. Here are the UIUC answers, provided by Professor Scott Willenbrock:
Ann,
Here is information on UIUC. Most of this infrastructure was put in 3 years ago. We are now starting to think about where to go from here, so we would appreciate your sharing what you learn from other Big Ten partners.
Scott
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BIG10 Sustainability Friends,
I am looking for case study information on campus EV charging stations. MSU has several but are looking to expand the service. I have a few questions.
The last question is the most important.
Thank you,
Ann
Ann Erhardt, MM, ISSP-SA
Director of Sustainability
Strategic Initiatives
Infrastructure Planning and Facilities
Michigan State University
see file
see file
Apply to fill one of the EcoOlympics officer roles Now!
Do team building, leadership, networking with campus stakeholders, and preparing for the real world sound like a great way to build your resume. Gain experience and build these business aspects of your portfolio while having fun with your colleagues and making a difference in the world!
Leadership, team building, communication and business organizational experience with environmentally friendly programs put you at the top of the pack when applying to corporate/academic internships, non-profit organizations, outreach organizations and graduate programs. Participating as an officer is gratifying and fulfills these qualifications, while providing plenty of documented recognition in environmental stewardship and energy conservation.
See file for example of leadership certificate and acknowledgement from Chancellor Jones.
We are currently building this year’s organization team, so join us to develop your portfolio and work together organizing and helping others reach their goals and make a difference in the world, by sending a 75-150 word essay (essentially 2-3 paragraphs) about why being an officer on the EcoOlympics organization team is important to you. Send to EcoOlympics@gmail.com and include the position (see list below) you are applying for in the subject title.
For a closer look:
1) At the competition, visit the iCap description and our website
2) For personal benefits visit housings article highlighting Jessica Mondello’s experience and accomplishments
3) As for fun, games and camraderie check out and join our facebook page
Now accepting resume’s for the following positions:
Team Members:
· President- leads the organization team, manages all aspects of the competition
· Treasurer- manages funding of the competition, sponsors, prizes, marketing materials and promotions
· Marketing/Publicity Chair- manages the recruiting of participants, marketing events and advertising, coordinates efforts with the Building Captain Manager
· Building Captain Chair- communicates and motivates the building captains for each team and collaborates with the Publicity Chair
· Technical Chair- manages and publishes the technical data, networks with utilities services and building managers to gain access to metering information
See file for time commitment per role.
Resume building, networking and gratifying experience – Preparation for real world
Emphasize the shortness of the commitment for the value gained
There will be guidance, resources, and structure for accomplishing these leadership roles
Thank you
Paul Foote
Think Globally. Act Locally
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
Facilities and Services, Utilities and Energy Services
Energy Conservation and Retro-commissioning
Office: 217-244-1048
All, with warm temps last week the shop remained busy. Friday there was even a line for stand time. Wednesday morning was the bike census. It was wonderful weather for it and I think it went well! One CBC student staffer and a CBC volunteer extraordinaire volunteered for the event, which I was happy to see. Thanks, Leah and Rick!
On Friday, a Bike Project Volunteer came and picked up all the scrap we’d accumulated in the last few weeks, which will help immensely in organizing and storage.
Programming alerts: This week is the Campus Sustainability Celebration on Wednesday so the shop will be closed for that; and next Monday (30th) I will be out of town. I will post on the website and Facebook for both closings. (And of course, signage on the door.)
On to the numbers:
Visitors: 99
Sales: $1,066.45
Bikes (refurb): 1 for $159
Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $210
Memberships: 10 for $300
Tires/tubes: 24 for $124
Sincerely,
All, last Monday we had the bike warehouse move out event on Monday. As I mentioned last week, we moved out about 317 bikes. Some of the bikes we kept and moved back to the CBC have already been claimed as build-a-bikes, which is great. The rest will be cleared out at a TBD date.
Belatedly announcing this but: Lily and I and Amy tabled at an event at the Union on October 5th. It was a University employee expo of sorts. The very first person I spoke with was misinformed about safe passing distance for cars, something I was able to correct. It was a welcomed change and challenge to inform a lot of vehicular road users about how to interact with bicyclists and pedestrians, considering all the gripes I heard from employees about walkers and bikers—as most employees drive to work from out of town (or at least the ones I spoke with do). I was also pleased to see a lot of familiar faces of people that have visited the Campus Bike Center.
This week is the bike census, happening on Wednesday. Hopefully we’ll get good weather and a good snapshot of the state of bicycle parking on campus.
The numbers:
Sales: $635.50
Memberships: 13 for $390
Bikes (Refurb): 0 for $0
Bikes (B-a-b): 0 for $0
Tires/tubes: 10 for $54
Sincerely,
