A document containing the notes from this interview is attached below.

Summary of the Clean Energy Transition Plan Interview:

Xinlei Wang - ABE Professor, Experience in Renewable Energy Systems

John Zhao-ABE Doctorate Student, Research in Geothermal Systems

On 4/5/22, the team interviewed Dr. Xinlei Wang and John Zhao. Professor Wang is a subject matter expert with regards to geothermal energy and has done research on other forms of renewable energy. Professor Wang explained that geothermal energy is the most efficient way to both heat and cool buildings and that despite high upfront costs it is a cheaper system to implement than traditional heating and cooling. Professor Wang explained that if the University was to switch to a geothermal system, then it would have to be done building by building and it would take a lot of planning and time. Professor Wang also told the team that geothermal and solar energy can be used together to create an energy efficient system and make it viable for the University.

A document containing the notes from this interview is attached below.

Summary of the Clean Energy Transition Plan Interview:

Caleb Brooks - NPRE Professor, UIUC Micro-Nuclear Involvement

On 3/31/22 the team spoke with Dr. Caleb Brook, who is a professor in the nuclear engineering department here at the University. The team spoke to him about the feasibility of using micro-nuclear reactors as a power source for the campus. Dr. Brooks is about to start research to determine these exact questions. In his opinion, campuses will be using micro nuclear reactors to power themselves, but it is going to take eight to ten years to get to that point. The research done with micro nuclear reactors has been more theoretical and not applicable at this time. The team still feels that the university should start saving money now to purchase a nuclear reactor once they are commercially available.

Landscape Recycling Center sells the product described below:

Stable-To-Soil Enhancer
 (Formerly Mushroom Compost)
Up to 35-Gallon Bags/Containers: $7.25 | Bulk: $36/cubic yd

Light brown and very fine textured material that can retain manure odor for several weeks

Made from: Hardwood bark, straw material and horse manure from local stables that is composted into a high-quality finished product.

Applications: Natural fertilizer for non-food crop landscapes. Excellent source of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). In addition, manure returns organic matter and other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur to the soil, building soil fertility and quality.