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Project Updates for collection: Student Sustainability Committee Funded Projects

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  1. Initial Meeting with Campus Parking, Car pool and Sustainability

    Associated Project(s): 
    Install Public Use Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

    The first meeting was held on August 6th to discuss campus public use EV charging station plans.

    It was determined at this time more research into parking enforcement options, types of charging stations to use, and sites available for installation is needed. Follow-up meeting to take place after research findings are completed.

    To this date no method exists to interface from the chargers software to the campus parking enforcement software. 

    See picture below: with this type of charger the enforcement officer could identify that billing is taking place by the Solid lightning bolt on the right as opposed to the one on the left.

  2. Report by Anna Hochlater

    Associated Project(s): 
    Burrill/ Morrill Walkway

    "The Burrill/ Morrill Hall corridor offers a unique opportunity to explore methods of sustainable design through conventional practices of rain garden design as well as hardscaping improvements, lighting installations and additional non-plant strategies.  A moderate strategy is advised. In this conversation moderate is understood to mean more than a creating only rain garden while leaving the existing vegetation, but less than a full redesign which would completely reshape the hardscaping.  A moderate strategy addresses the creation of the rain garden, all the landscape beds while leaving the mature canopy trees in place, and makes some alterations to the existing hardscape.  Perhaps the most difficult challenges of the corridor will be to unify the character of the corridor landscape beds and to design a solu-tion suitable for the harsh conditions of very little sun, significant wind, and heavy pedestrian use."

    Attached Files: 

  3. Update from Justin Johnston at UI Purchasing

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    Justin Johnston confirmed that the answers to all the State Purchasing Officer's questions have been sent to Steve Rotello, the State Purchasing Officer.  Justin is working to set a meeting with the SPO, Justin, and Morgan Johnston to review the current status of this approval.

  5. Update from Bill Krudienier

    Associated Project(s): 
    Native Plants at Arboretum

    There are native plants throughout the Arboretum and in concentrated paces around the ponds - wetland and mezic.  There is also a prairie just south of the Polinatarium, maintained by John Marlin and volunteers.

     

  6. Plants moved to Arboretum

    Associated Project(s): 
    Orchard Downs Multifunctional Landscape (ODMFL)

    The ODMFL plants have been moved to the Arboretum growth house.  Sarah talked with Bill Krudienier and moved the plants to the Arboretum as they continue to grow.  Bill met with May Berenbaum and Terry Harkness to discuss the best use of the plants in the Arboretum, within the master plan for the site.  It is possible that they will put them near the Pollinatarium and the children's garden.

    The Arboretum is very pleased to be able to help and excited about the possibilities for these plants and future endeavors.

  7. Prioritizing locations

    Associated Project(s): 
    Water Fountain Retrofit
    Reduce Single-Use Plastics

    Morgan reached out to Felicia Speranske to get a current contact with the ISS for this project.  The funding was delayed, arriving in late June, rather than mid May, and this project is waiting for a list of priority locations to begin installation.  Morgan also sent an email to Damani Bolden the Illinois Student Senate (ISS) president.

  8. Anna hired to complete this work

    Associated Project(s): 
    Burrill/ Morrill Walkway

    Eliana Brown provided the following update.

    • Anna Hochhalter was hired by F&S for the summer to complete a revised design of the Burrill/Morrill walkway rain garden / native plants improvements.  She reviewed the entire walkway from Mathews to Goodwin.  Her report is expected August 15th.
    • The space should be multifunctional, use native plants, accommodate the stormwater run off with green infrastructure.  It could include new lighting and artworks.
    • This project will use the existing SSC funding, as well as other funding sources.  The other funding sources may include Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation District, and/or F&S.
    • Eliana will take the project scope change request to SSC this fall, for approval.
    • Matt Edmonson has been involved with this project and will inform Eliana about any additional campus approvals that may be needed.

  9. Land Use Data for US Solar Farms

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    National Renewable Energy Laboratories conducted research into solar land use requirements, but were unable to find a comprehensive evaluation from the literature. NREL created this report to analyze data related to land use in large solar arrays. The paragraph below explains the efficiency of land by type of solar project, and the link takes you directly to the report.

    Generation-weighted averages for total area requirements range from about 3 acres/GWh/yr for CSP towers and CPV installations to 5.5 acres/GWh/yr for small 2-axis flat panel PV power plants. Across all solar technologies, the total area generation-weighted average is 3.5 acres/GWh/yr with 40% of power plants within 3 and 4 acres/GWh/yr. For direct-area requirements the generation-weighted average is 2.9 acres/GWh/yr, with 49% of power plants within 2.5 and 3.5 acres/GWh/yr. On a capacity basis, the total-area capacity-weighted average is 8.9 acres/MWac, with 22% of power plants within 8 and 10 acres/MWac. For direct land-use requirements, the capacity-weighted average is 7.3 acre/MWac, with 40% of power plants within 6 and 8 acres/MWac. Other published estimates of solar direct land use generally fall within these ranges.
     

    https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy13osti/56290.pdf 

  10. Sustainability Fellow, Madhu Viswanathan, begins advisory position

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy Dashboard Project
    FY14 Sustainability Fellows Program
    • Since we want to put the energy displays around campus, Madhu Viswanathan can help us identify the best method for implementing these to change behavior. 
    • We need to determine how many displays to install, where they should go, what information should be on them. 
    • How can we use this system that F&S now has through your office to actually improve energy use behavior. 
    • We would like building users to become more conscious of the energy use in their building(s).
    • What sort of display and style will really grab their attention?
    • Is social media something that we should utilize for this effort?

  11. Solar Farm pending State Purchasing Officer (SPO) approval

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    The Solar Farm Purchase Agreement is waiting on approval from the State Purchasing Officer (SPO).  After the Board of Trustees approval in November 2012, the project went to the SPO's office.  It is now under review and Facilities & Services is working to answer any SPO questions.

  12. Now Hiring: student employees

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    The Campus Bicycle Shop seeks to hire 2 part-time student employees to assist the Shop Manager. The position would involve duties such as helping members/users of the space with their needs, repairing bicycles, assisting in organizing events, shop organization, teaching bicycle repair, assisting with bicycle-related classes, and other duties as assigned.

    The Campus Bicycle Shop – a collaboration between the University of Illinois and The Bicycle Project of Urbana-Champaign – is dedicated to empowering individuals with knowledge about how to repair and maintain bicycles. This is a hands on, educational space meant to provide knowledge and experience about fixing bicycles, not a "drop it off for repair" bike shop. The Campus Shop provides tools, parts, refurbished bikes for sale, educational classes, and dedicated volunteers to help members and the larger community with their bicycle needs. Membership in The Bike Project at Urbana-Champaign is valid at both the Campus Shop and the Downtown Urbana Shop.

    Requirements:  An interest in or passion for bicycling and sustainable transportation is required.  Illinois is an Affirmative Action /Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu).

    To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references via email to: jmroedl@illinois.edu. Please include "Student Assistant Position" in the subject line. Please include a copy of weekly class schedule and any other time commitments.

    Skills: Previous bicycle repair experience, membership in The Bike Project of Urbana Champaign, and familiarity with the Campus Shop would be preferred but are not required. Familiarity with social media, college campuses, and educational work would be helpful. Preference will also be given to applicants eligible for Federal Work Study.

  13. Meeting with Paradigm Energies

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste

    Dave Thomas, Kishore Rajagopalan, and Luis Rodriguez hosted a meeting with Morgan Johnston,Tracy Osby,and ISTC staff to meet with Orval Yarger and Alan Robinson from Paradigm to discuss opportunities for waste management for campus and other Illinois businesses/organizations.

  15. IBI considers trailer from Verdebiofuel.com

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Biodiesel Initiative (IBI)

    The Illinois Biodiesel Initiative is considering a bioreactor in a trailer as a solution to their location quandry.  They are looking into the power connection needs and potential siting locations for a 6x10 or 7x14 foot trailer.  The vendor they have spoken with is Verde Biofuel, and they are looking for the ability to process 100 gallons per day with 240 volt 30 amp service.  If needed, they could build the system to work with 120 volt service, but it is not preferred.

    Facilities staff (Robert Halverson, Morgan Johnston, and Paul Foote) met to discuss the engineering requirements and potential site locations.  Morgan requested additional information from IBI about water supply and waste water needs.

  16. Purchasing met with SPO

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 1.0

    From: Milbrandt, Janet
    Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 1:33 PM
    To: Dempsey, John Garrett
    Cc: Johnston, Morgan B
    Subject: RE: solar farm

    Justin met with Steve Rotello on Friday, 6/30/2013.  We are meeting later today to discuss the results. 

    Janet.

    From: Dempsey, John Garrett
    Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 1:26 PM
    To: Milbrandt, Janet
    Cc: Johnston, Morgan B
    Subject: solar farm

    Can you provide me with and updated status of this important procurement.

  17. work order submitted

    Associated Project(s): 
    TBH Lighting Project

    Work order # 10214352 was created with funding from AiM account # KR767-018 as follows. "PLEASE PROVIDE DAYLIGHTING AND OCC SENSORS ENGINEERING DESIGN, PER THE DOCUMENTATION FROM TERESA TOUSIGNANT FOR THE PROJECT FUNDED BY THE SSC. CHARGE CFOP: 1-303692-767000-767030-767TBH. TERESA WILL PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTS TO EVA SWEENEY. ROBERT HALVERSON'S GROUP IS WHO THIS NEEDS TO GO TO. *** CONTACT: HALL, GAINES; PHONE: 217-333-3318; EMAIL: GBHALL@ILLINOIS.EDU ***"

  18. Allerton Park Geothermal_Funding Award and Acceptance

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at Allerton Park
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    This project seeks to significantly reduce Allerton Park’s net energy usage while, at the same time, promoting clean, renewable energy.  This will be done by converting the facility’s most inefficient and outdated heating and cooling system, located within the Gatehouse building, to geothermal heating and cooling.  As a U of I entity, Allerton Park strives to lead the way in upholding the University’s climate commitment by proactively encouraging sound and sustainable building principles.  As a climate leader, Allerton Park is committed to encouraging alternative energy initiatives, improving energy efficiency, and engaging students in supporting alternative sources of energy. 

    Attached Files: 

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