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  1. Weekly Update: Quad Fix-it day, Doing Things by Bike

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Not a whole lot to report from last week. Slow, sales and visits-wise. Picked up some scrap bikes from the warehouse on Friday. On Thursday we had our Quad Fix It Day with one participant for that. Got some new marketing materials/signage for advertising the space. One of my staffers had her last day for the semester and will be partaking in Illini 4000’s cross country bike ride.
    This week another staffer will be leaving for the summer. On Tuesday is CCBs commuting seminar (virtual) that I’ll be attending. I’ll be doing a bike delivery for the Bucket Brigade on Wednesday as they were all filled up last week. Should be a fun time and good publicity for Doing Things By Bike.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 9
    Sales: $105.00
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Bikes (refurb): 0
    Tire/tubes: 4 for $8

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  2. Radio interview about geothermal and clean energy

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illinois Geothermal Coalition
    Geothermal Urbana-Champaign
    Geothermal at the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF)
    Use Clean Power
    Use Clean Thermal Energy

    Morgan White with Facilities and Services, Sustainability, spoke with Stevie Jay and Diane Ducey on May 10, 2021 on ESPN radio 93.5. They discussed the new Campus Instructional Facility geothermal system, other clean energy projects on campus, and the local Geothermal Urbana-Champaign program.  

  4. Findings at the Farm - F&S Insider article

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas
    Solar Farm 1.0

    A team of researchers will be measuring the impact of natural vegetation at the Solar Farm 2.0 grounds. Below the 31,122 bi-facial solar panels lie 54 acres perfect for pollinator-friendly plantings.

    But how exactly does one calculate the plants’ effectiveness? How about: count the bugs.

    Ben Campbell, an energy engineer at the University of Illinois Chicago, is part of a research effort that will do exactly that, and more. Their research will also address other matters at Solar Farm 2.0, including how the pollinator plants affect the efficiency of the solar panels’ power production, and how quickly and strongly the pollinator plantings grow.

    Additionally, F&S Utilities & Energy Services are a support team member for the research project which will study the economic and ecological benefits of planting native and other flowering plants under and around solar arrays. In order to count the bugs, a few times a year researchers will catch flying insects over the course of a day. The insects they collect will be taken to the Bee Research Facility on the Urbana campus where they will be identified and archived, under the guidance of Dr. Adam Dolezal.

    This might seem standard practice for a new test site with new plantings. What may surprise the reader is another research question: where and how many birds and bats will come around for feeding time?

    “The research is driven by the solar industry’s questions about the colocation of solar power production and pollinator habitat,” said Campbell. “Our research seeks to understand what scale of habitat is necessary to have measurable impacts on pollinator, bird, and bat populations at utility-scale solar facilities, in addition to benefits in terms of increased power production or lifecycle costs of managing vegetation. We are excited to have the opportunity to test these questions in our own backyard at Solar Farm 2.0.”

    Using acoustic and ultrasonic recorders, the team will record bird and bat abundance and diversity, respectively, over time, measuring wildlife elements until at least 2023.

    The research project, led by Iris Caldwell at the Energy Resources Center at University of Illinois Chicago, is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Office. Her research team consists of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UIC, the Argonne National Laboratory, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Six solar facility test sites have been selected for field research across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. This includes the 12 MW Solar Farm 2.0 facility at UIUC. In partnership with F&S and Sol Systems (the site operator) the research team will evaluate the effects of the pollinator plantings on photovoltaic and ecological performance and compare operational costs with facilities that use conventional ground cover (usually turf grass). In addition, Solar Farm 1.0 may be used as a control site for comparison for performance and pollinator observation.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Podcast: Morgan White Speaks About Solar & Geothermal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF)
    Illinois Geothermal Coalition
    Geothermal Urbana-Champaign

    On May 10, 2021, Morgan White joined Stevie Jay Broadcasting to talk about renewable energy in the Champaign-Urbana community. In this 7 minute podcast, Morgan spoke about solar and geothermal energy initiatives by F&S and beyond!

    Listen to the podcast in the attached files!

    Attached Files: 

  6. archived info - prior project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 2.0

    Construction of a new 54-acre, 12.32 megawatt (MWdc) Solar Farm has been approved by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees as the sole member of Prairieland Energy, Inc. Referred to as "Solar Farm 2.0," the new utility-scale array will be located north of Curtis Road, between First Street and Dunlap Avenue near Savoy. Solar Farm 2.0 will produce approximately 20,000 megawatt-hours per year (MWh/year), nearly tripling the university’s existing on-site renewable energy generation. Completion of this project will then grant the University of Illinois with the title of being the third-largest user of renewable power generated on-site for all higher education facilities in the entire country.

    Project Inception

    In April 2017, the Energy Sustainability Working Advisory Team (SWATeam) recommended that to increase our campus’ generation of solar power, either an extension should be built onto the original Solar Farm or additional solar panels be installed across campus rooftops. From there, the idea of Solar Farm 2.0 was born. In November of that same year, the Sustainability Council approved the concept of this new solar farm, and a site selection was completed during spring 2018. 

    In the summer of 2018, after discussions with our neighbors in Savoy, the Chancellor’s Capital Review Committee approved the location, and a request for proposals was initiated. Different vendors from across the nation submitted proposals and various designs for this new solar farm, with nineteen submissions in total. By May of 2019, Sol Systems of Washington, D.C. was chosen to complete the project. A twenty-year contract was negotiated, and the overall project is on track to be completed by the end of 2020.

    Project Overview

    Sol Systems will be responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance for Solar Farm 2.0, and like Solar Farm 1.0, the Urbana campus will use all the generated power.  The $20.1M contract is anticipated to save the university $300,000 in the farm’s first year compared to electricity purchased from the wholesale MISO market. Prairieland Energy will buy the solar energy at a fixed rate of $45.99 per MWh, while the University of Illinois will receive the associated renewable energy certificates (RECs) and the right to claim the use of clean energy.

    Pollinator Habitat

    Other innovative features of Solar Farm 2.0 include the incorporation of a pollinator habitat located beneath the panels. Indigenous plants will be planted throughout the farm to welcome local and migratory birds and insects. Specifically targeted towards butterflies and bees, Solar Farm 2.0 will be a welcoming environment for wildlife, as well as being a demonstration site for meeting the requirements of the Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Act. A landscaped buffer will also be included in the final design of Solar Farm 2.0, creating visual screening of the solar panels along the south edge of the farm bordering Savoy.

  8. Energy005 Modeling for Energy Code Compliance - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    Energy iCAP Team
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Energy Models for Campus Facilities

    Morgan White, Associate Director for F&S for Sustainability, responded to Dr. Ximing Cai and the Energy iCAP Team on behalf of Dr. Attalla and F&S, with the following email:

    Hello Ximing, iWG, and Energy iCAP Team,

    Thank you for the recommendation to work with Dr. Yun Yi and his students to develop energy models for campus facilities.  We are pleased to implement this recommendation, as submitted to us. 

    As contacts for Dr. Yi, we have identified Tom Keller and Joe Villanti from the Engineering Quality Assurance, Design Review, team at F&S.  I will send a separate email to introduce them to Dr. Yi, and we will provide periodic updates, on the iCAP Portal at https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/project/energy-models-campus-facilities.

    Thank you,

    Morgan

    (sent on behalf of Dr. Attalla and the F&S team)

    ====================

    See transmittal of Energy005 Modeling for Energy Code Compliance here.
    See iWG assessment of Energy005 Modeling for Energy Code Compliance here. 
    See recommendation and submittal of Energy005 Modeling for Energy Code Compliance here.

    For future updates on this effort, visit Energy Models for Campus Facilities.

  9. Post-TED Talk Resources

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series
    Build a Culture of Sustainability

    Nan Holda, one of the participants in the latest TED Talk: Eco-Edition event provided some great resources to follow up from the conversation on 4/29.  

    • Joan Gregerson's book “Climate Action Challenge.” Here’s a link to her book and workbook: https://www.climateactionchallenge.net/book.
    • Link to where people can sign up for her free, quick start online training: https://www.climateactionchallenge.net/challenge.  2021 International Climate Action Challenge
    • Joan’s weekly Green Team Academy Podcast: https://greenteamacademy.com/podcast/.
    • Climate Crisis Policy/Earth Bill Network is an umbrella organization wrangling in all other US environmental orgs to create one comprehensive Earth Bill to present to President Biden (http://www.climatecrisispolicy.org/). IMO their approach to passing federal policy is more inclusive, unified, and broader than Citizens’ Climate Lobby (which is another big lobbying org). The Earth Bill Network would love to have some college student volunteers working to create a college/university student network for the Earth Bill. If anyone is interested, they should check out the website and register at https://climatecrisispolicy.org/registration/, noting how they would like to volunteer.

  10. Pollinator Planting happening soon for Solar Farm 2.0

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Increase Pollinator-Friendly Areas

    The Solar Farm 2.0 developer will be planting the Solar Farm 2.0 site next week.  On May 7, 2021, they will spray an herbicide mixture to prepare the site.Here are the details they provided:

    Glyphosate 41 herbicide and/or Ranger Pro.  They are both generic glyphosate-based herbicides. Ranger Pro includes a water-based surfactant in their formulation.    We will be adding a methylated seed oil for a surfactant.  We will not be using a spray dye in the mix to avoid residue on the panels.

  11. Herbicide plans

    Associated Project(s): 
    Meadow at Orchard Downs

    Hello Brent and Morgan,

    I hope this email finds you both well. I recently discussed with Michael Ward, an NRES professor on campus, concerning the application of herbicide on the Orchard Downs plot. We believe the best plan of action is to apply herbicide to the entire plot as soon as possible, then again later in the fall. The goal is to have crop sciences/arboretum apply the herbicide on the plot. If you would like to discuss this further over zoom, let me know! 

    The semester-end is nearing, and I want to add that I will be on campus for most of the summer, so I will be able to work on the plot as we move forward. 

    Thank you, 

    Izabelle

  12. Res002 Biodiversity Plan - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    Urban Biodiversity Master Plan

    Sherry Nickols-Richardson, Director of University of Illinois Extension, sent Morgan White the following email in support of the Res002 recommendation.

    =================

    Dear Morgan,

    Thank you for sharing the Urban Biodiversity Master Plan component noted below (iCAP 202 Objective 8.1). University of Illinois Extension supports the in-kind contribution of Lisa Merrifield toward this effort through FY24. 

    Please note that Illinois Extension does not have funding to support a formal master planning process. This would need to be established and developed by F&S. If there are other implications for financial support now or in the future, Illinois Extension requests that there be discussion about these implications before any expenses are incurred.

    This will be an interesting, informative, and valuable process. I look forward to periodic reports about the progress.

    Sincerely,

    Shelly Nickols-Richardson

    ==================

    See submittal and recommendation of Res002 Biodiversity Plan. 

    See transmittal of Res002 Biodiversity Plan. 

    See iWG assessment of Res002 Biodiversity Plan. 

    For future updates on this effort, visit Urban Biodiversity Master Plan.

  13. Weekly Update: bike sales, Quad Fix-it day, Bucket Brigade

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Had some nice warm weather last week. Sold a few more bikes. It’s almost as if there’s some kind of correlation between warmer weather and bike riding?
    Elsewhere: we had two participants for our Friday Ride. We had our first Quad Fix It Day but that was a bust: cool and rainy weather don’t make for a good bike time. We’ll do another one this Thursday but it’s forecasting for rain and cool weather again. Spring is fickle.
    Pending approval from Channing Murray, I’ll do a delivery run for the Bucket Brigade this week and see if it’s viable/feasible as a recurring event that we can promote.

    Our donations are picking up but mostly it’s been scrap-worthy parts, including maybe the worst salt/water damaged frame I’ve ever seen. Fun times!
    The numbers:

    Visitors: 30 (I card only)
    Sales: 1,241.60
    Memberships: 7 for $210
    Bikes (refurb): 5 for $820
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $40

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Manager, Campus Bike Center

  14. Global Climate Change: Implications for National and Global Energy Policies

    Associated Project(s): 
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    Climate researcher James Hansen, known for raising alarms about climate change in the 1980s, will address failures in energy policy & suggest changes moving forward. While the public is coming to grips with climate change, scientists & engineers failed to shape policies to avert its worst consequences, says Hansen, Director of Columbia University’s Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions Program.

    May 5, 12–1:30 pm • Zoom | Password 591223

     

    Julie Wurth Asmussen • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    Global Climate Change: Implications for National and Global Energy Policies

  15. archived info - previous project description

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal at the Campus Instructional Facility (CIF)

    When built, the University of Illinois Campus Instructional Facility (CIF) will be a four-story building dedicated to academic and classroom use. CIF will serve 31,000 students daily and will leverage sustainable design to decrease its carbon emissions. The ground source heat exchange system will consist of approximately 60 wells arrayed under the John Bardeen Quad. It will be designed to be expandable, with the ability to be connected to other buildings, allowing for multiple phases. This SSC grant covers approximately 13% of the cost of the geothermal system, and this building project is the first public-private partnership on campus. As the campus works towards being carbon neutral by 2050, this project will not only reduce UIUC’s reliance on fossil fuels, but pave the way for new construction projects to use geothermal systems on campus. 

  16. Engagement SWATeam Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Engagement iCAP Team

    The Engagement SWATeam met for their final meeting for the semester on April 30. The team contributed their ideas for definitions of sustainability and engagement to be used by the team and iSEE as a whole. These definitions will be refined over the summer. Also, the team plans to work over the summer with iWG to discuss the Engagement Mind Map to make a clear start for next semester. Meeting minutes attached below.

    Attached Files: 

  18. Wildflower Display at Lincoln Ave Residence

    Associated Project(s): 
    LAR Native Plants

    The following is a message from John Marlin. In this message, Marlin includes information about the wildflower display at Lincoln Avenue Residence (LAR), as well as photographs of the location:

    Hello,

     

    At the moment and for the next several weeks woodland wildflowers will be blooming at LAR, specifically to the north of the front steps, continuing past the edge of the building, and alongside the north east side of the building.  There are about 20 woodland species in the mix.  This is a fairly good example of the type of plants that could be placed in small beds around campus to help pollinators and provide visual relief.  The spring plants are especially nice to have around as students face the stress of finals and leaving their friends for the summer. I believe you would find a visit worthwhile. I would be glad to join at any convenient time.

     

    The project was initiated in 2016 by the LAR Living Learning Community.  In addition to the woodland plantings there are prairie and related plantings starting at the south side of the steps and continuing around the south side of the building to the loading dock.  An additional planting is in the courtyard by the dining room.  Various prairie species will bloom in sequence beginning now and through the fall.  These plantings compliment the nearby Red Oak Rain Garden.

     

    Over 50 students and community members planted the area.  A part-time intern helped maintain it for the first year and a half.  A $5,000 grant paid for the most of the plants and intern.  There has been very limited maintenance due to the virus and lack of funds for the intern.  The main problems are some weeds and aggressive spread of some of the native plants.  Insects and birds use the plantings and several classes have visited.

     

    There is a growing consensus in favor of locating pollinator pockets and other native planting around campus.  Once in the ground they require minimal maintenance.  A few seasonal student interns with some supervision could manage quite a few.  I hope there can be some action along these lines over the next few years.

    John C. Marlin, PhD

    Research Affiliate, ISTC, PRI

    marlin@illinois.edu

    217-649-4591

     

    Photo 1: Volunteers planting at LAR in September 2016

    Photo 2: Up-close photo of LAR flowers in April 2021

    Photo 3: Up-close photo of LAR plants, including flowers, in April 2021

    Photo 4: Photo of LAR plants and flowers underneath a tree in April 2021

    Photo 5: Photo of LAR plants and flowers in April 2021

     

  19. Bicycle Census spring 2021

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Counts

    Bicycle Census was organized on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 10-11 am. There were some technical difficulties and light drizzle during the event, due to which we were not able to cover everything on main campus. There were a total of 18 volunteers and we covered 21 map blocks. The remaining blocks will be covered by Sarthak Prasad and others in the next few days. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students transitioned to online classes, and the majority of faculty and staff established alternative work during the spring semester. This census data will provide a unique look at ridership levels during this period and offer important details about the traveling behavior of those remaining on campus.

    The volunteers collected information on the number of off-and-on-rack bicycles along with specific bike rack information, including the type, capacity, and how the structures are installed.

    Davis McGregor and Sgt. James Carter won the raffle and they will receive Illinois Coffee mugs.

    The information collected in this bicycle census will be updated to the F&S database once the new GIS support is hired.

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