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Sarthak & I met for an hour on 2/27/2023 to discuss the 2023 BFU application. I checked some answers with him. We determined who we need to ask for some questions and answered other questions.
The current version of the 2023 BFU Application Log is attached below.
Sarthak & I met on 2/20/2023 to go over some questions I had about the BFU application. We talked about the built environment of the campus (question A8), and clarified the total campus enrollment statistic. I also showed Sarthak the log I created to keep track of the my progress on the application, which is attached below.
Ethan and Sarthak met via zoom to discuss Ethan’s progress in reviewing relevant documents toward the former 2014 Bicycle Plan and for the future 2024 Bicycle Plan. Ethan has finished reading the 2019 and 2023 progress reports on the bicycle plan and reviewed which projects have been finished and are yet to be finished. Ethan’s main goal is to develop a presentation for a meeting with Morgan and Stacy to discuss the work he and Sarthak have been doing. Also, they must present their plan for the semester in regard to developing the planning process for the next year, in reference to the 2024 Bicycle Plan. Ethan and Sarthak also discussed highlighting the bicycle audit expected to be done in the Fall.
On February 17th, the Land & Water iCAP team met to discuss the details of a permeable pavers recommendation. The team then split off into breakout rooms to organize future soil and water committee initiatives.
Meeting minutes are attached.
Sarthak & I met on 2/13/2023 to discuss the Bicycle Friendly University Application. Sarthak clarified that I'm currently the only person updating the application. We went over some questions that we'll have to inquired Chad about. We also found answers to some of the questions.
Ehab Kamarah and Madhu Khanna approved $10,000 in funding to support Agrivoltaics projects on campus.
Tim Mies sent the following email excerpt to Madhu Khanna on Feb 7, 2023:
I would like to update a bit on how this project might go forward, and ask for your thoughts on possible funding to complete this project (connect to campus grid).
Carl to date has purchased 3 solar frames which can hold up to 72 of the size panel I have in storage (from the 2007 Solar Decathlon house). Unfortunately I have only 40 panels, which will lead to a gaps in shading with only 12 panels per structure.
My initial intention was to apply to SSC for funding to fill the space, purchase inverters, and hire electricians to connect to the campus grid. This application would occur after the initial goal, shading research plots, is complete.
Since this last email, I was contacted by Brent Lewis at F&S regarding potential surplus panels available immediately due to a demolition project under way for the failed building the panels connect to. The picture below shows 60 panels of larger capacity (245 watt instead of 180) that would be able to fully populate the footprint of Carl’s frames. In addition, there are inverters and ancillary connection parts that can likely be reused to allow these panels continued production on the campus grid.
A ballpark estimate from F&S would be 5-10K to salvage all of the panels and equipment. Do you think there would be support from Ehab to utilize carbon credit funds to at least salvage the panels and reinstall on the new frames? I would be willing to apply to SSC again for the final connection if carbon funds could not cover this all.
Below is an email from Madhu Khanna regarding the energy farm mini agrivoltaics.
From: Khanna, Madhu <khanna1 at illinois.edu>
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2023 3:37 AM
To: Kamarah, Ehab <ekamarah at illinois.edu>; White, Morgan <mbwhite at illinois.edu>
Subject: Energy Farm mini agrivoltaics
Hi Ehab
While we are waiting for doing the agrivoltaic experiments at Solar Farm 2 and build our own AV farm, Carl Bernacchi has been working on creating a small AV experiment at the Energy Farm with a few solar panels that can be set up to grow vegetables underneath. This project will generate solar energy that will be connected to the campus grid.
Tim Mies and Carl Bernacchi have sent the following information. Carl has used his USDA funds to purchase solar frames. They have been able to acquire panels from storage and Brent Lewis at F&S. But need $5-10K to salvage the panels and reinstall them.
Can we approve up to $10K funds from the carbon credit fund to cover these costs? Tim plans to apply for SSC funding as well and if he gets funding then these costs can come down. We can justify it as a project that will contribute to increasing renewable energy generation in the future.
Best
Madhu
Madhu Khanna
Pronouns: she, her
Alvin H. Baum Family Chair & Director, Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment
ACES Distinguished Professor in Environmental Economics
Co-Director, Center for Economics of Sustainability
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
1301, W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801
email: khanna1@illinois.edu; phone: 217-333-5176; fax: 217-333-5538
http://ace.illinois.edu/directory/madhu-khanna
https://ceos.illinois.edu/bio-khanna
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=LPH4gbUAAAAJ&hl=en
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/2173335176?pwd=Ri8rTzQ0S1RxZHpiY2tEWVdaSlhtZz09
_____________________________________________________________________
From: Mies, Tim <tmies at illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Khanna, Madhu <khanna1 at illinois.edu>
Cc: Bernacchi, Carl J <bernacch at illinois.edu>
Subject: Energy Farm mini agrivoltaics
Good Morning Madhu,
I would like to update a bit on how this project might go forward, and ask for your thoughts on possible funding to complete this project (connect to campus grid).
Carl to date has purchased 3 solar frames which can hold up to 72 of the size panel I have in storage (from the 2007 Solar Decathlon house). Unfortunately I have only 40 panels, which will lead to a gaps in shading with only 12 panels per structure.
My initial intention was to apply to SSC for funding to fill the space, purchase inverters, and hire electricians to connect to the campus grid. This application would occur after the initial goal, shading research plots, is complete.
Since this last email, I was contacted by Brent Lewis at F&S regarding potential surplus panels available immediately due to a demolition project under way for the failed building the panels connect to. The picture below shows 60 panels of larger capacity (245 watt instead of 180) that would be able to fully populate the footprint of Carl’s frames. In addition, there are inverters and ancillary connection parts that can likely be reused to allow these panels continued production on the campus grid.
A ballpark estimate from F&S would be 5-10K to salvage all of the panels and equipment. Do you think there would be support from Ehab to utilize carbon credit funds to at least salvage the panels and reinstall on the new frames? I would be willing to apply to SSC again for the final connection if carbon funds could not cover this all.
Please let me know if you have any additional questions or clarifications that we can provide.
Best,
Tim
Alec McKay & Sarthak Prasad met on 1/30/2023 and 2/8/2023 to discuss Alec's progress on reading over the Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) related materials.
Alec read and took notes on the 2015 BFU application and the 2015 BFU Feedback. His notes are attached below.
1/25 Meeting Recap:
2/1 Meeting Recap
Sarthak and Ethan met in person to discuss Ethan’s updates on his readings on the former 2014 Bicycle Plan. He has completed his review of the 2014 Plan and will delve into the progress reports and updates reports published in 2019, 2022, and 2023 for next week to see which projects have been completed, changed, or left unfinished indefinitely. He will also review the feedback from the League of American Bicyclists based on the University’s Bronze Bicycle Friendly Status awarded in 2019. The goal is to receive Gold Status this August, if not in 2027 because the review is done every 4 years. A main aspect of the 2024 Bicycle Plan will be to achieve Platinum Status by 2031. Sarthak also assured Ethan that many of the projects of the 2014 plan have since been completed which will be seen in the update/progress reports. Ethan’s to do list is to finish his readings relevant to the 2024 Bicycle Plan, such as the update reports. Also, he must begin preparing to consolidate the work he and Sarthak have done. This will then be presented to Sarthak’s bosses which will focus on the plan for this semester and the next two semesters.
The Energy iCAP Team met on January 30th, 2023 to discuss recommendations on building energy efficiency and revitalizing the energy scholars council at UIUC.
Link to meeting recording https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_2dwlpz7l
Attached is the official receipt of payment for the University's recent carbon credit sale.
Attached is the summary document for the total RECs retired for UIUC in FY22.
Sarthak Prasad and Alec McKay met to discuss Alec helping Sarthak with the 2023 BFU Application. Sarthak provided some guidelines on getting up to date with the current status of the Bike Plan goals and objectives.
A document containing notes Alec took is attached below.
Below is an email exchange between Morgan White and Tony Spurlock:
Hi Ehab, Rob, and Tony,
I’ve put the Solar Farm 3.0 slide show from Dec. 9 into the attached report. I referenced the slides with thumbnail images, and we could take some out and increase the size of some, depending on what we prefer to do.
Tony, I would appreciate your assistance with filling in the UIC total contract costs. I’ve included comments for each of the spaces where that info is needed. Could you please also look at the other questions I commented.
Rob, there are two questions that I hope you can help answer.
Thanks,
Morgan
---------------------------
I added all of the UIC totals and attached the updated calculations.
I do not think the hybrid option benefits Ameren (we are not taking additional delivery and it appears the new array would be outside the Ameren territory).
Should we include a statement related to how this fits into our strategy? Here is a thought to get the ball rolling. “This hydrid option allows the University to continue its leadership in Sustainability by leveraging best practices and expanding its portfolio of renewable strategies that provide a more comprehensive approach to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.”
Regards,
Tony
Hi Bumsoo, I had a call with Marc yesterday, and he mentioned that the MUP program can work on this project in the fall and spring semesters as a group project. I am still trying to figure out all that needs to be done for this project, and I think getting the help from your student might be beneficial.
How many hours can your student set aside for this project? In this semester, your student could help identify the stakeholders to reach out for the Campus Bike Plan update. He can help with determining a timeline and the planning process for next academic year. (If time permits) I will also ask the student to present some preliminary suggestions for the 2024 Bike Plan update at the end of this semester.
The first thing for your student would be to read the current 2014 Campus Bicycle Master Plan (https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/files/project/37/2014%20Campus%20Bicycle%20Plan.pdf). I have published two progress reports in the past few years. I am currently working on our progress report from the past year, which should be published in the next few weeks. Here is the 2022 report: Campus Bike Plan progress report FY22. Here is the 2019 report: 2019 Report for 2014 Campus Bicycle Plan
I would like to have weekly meetings with student. In the next 2-3 weeks, I would schedule a meeting with Morgan and Stacey to present what we think we should accomplish at the end of this semester. At the end of the semester, he will present the findings to F&S, SPO, Transportation iCAP Team, and possibly to the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC).
Please let me know if this sounds good to you. I would be very happy to meet your student and get started on this project. Thank you,
Sarthak
Sarthak Prasad met with Marc Doussard, the Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Director, to talk about MUP capstone and how their students can assist with this project. Marc said they can bring this project to the class int he fall 2023 and spring 2024 semesters and assist in the update.
Bumsoo Lee also mentioned that he has an undergraduate student who is very interested in helping out with this project in the spring 2023 semester.
Sarthak Prasad met with Nathaniel Nevins, high school senior, on Tuesday January 17, 2023. Nathaniel is going to help with the Campus Bike Plan update. He is going to read the 2014 Campus Bike Plan by February 15, 2023, and read both the progress reports for Campus Bike Plan by February 28, 2023. He is also going to suggest ideas for the update. Nathaniel will be volunteering over the spring semester. Following information was shared with him:
Here is the link to the iCAP Portal: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/
Here is the 2014 Campus Bike Plan: https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/files/project/37/2014%20Campus%20Bicycle%20Plan.pdf
Here is the 2022 report: Campus Bike Plan progress report FY22
Here is the 2019 report: 2019 Report for 2014 Campus Bicycle Plan
Abbott Power Plant are the recipients of one the new Ford F150 Lightning Electric Trucks.
There is a charging station in the alley between the plant addition and scrubber where the vehicle can be parked and charged (see photo below). The plug on the truck is on the side in front of the driver side door.
The key for the new truck is in the control room at Abbott. The key is a FOB that must be in the vehicle to start it. Similar to other new vehicles, the truck is started when the FOB is in the vehicle with you, you press the brake, and then hit the start button. Since it is electric you of course will not hear the motor engage and start, but the car will “come to life” with the dashboard coming on and displaying. The vehicle can now be put into gear and driven.
NOTE, the vehicle comes equipped with “engine braking” engaged. So, when you take your foot off the accelerator, the electric motor will “reserve” (turn into a generator) and start slowing down the vehicle (and at the same time charge up the batteries).
Please be careful when driving the truck for the first time and take some time to get accustomed to how it works.
A UIUC student created a video about the UIUC energy systems and submitted it to the 2023 IDEA Student Video Contest.
The 2023 IDEA Student Video Contest can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLrt4X0EOGA
The video was the second place winner of the contest.
