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Projects Updates for key objective: No name

  1. eweek announcement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Stop Burning Coal at Abbott Power Plant

    FGI Webinar: US EPA Reconsideration of Coal Combustion Residual Regulation

    This webinar will discuss a series of proposed & finalized amendments to rules promulgated by the US EPA to the Coal Combustion Residuals Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Rule.  This presentation will summarize the analysis from EPA’s Composite Model for Leachate Migration with Transformation Products and contextualize that output with the USWAG Decision and the 2020 Rulemaking efforts.

    October 8, 11 am–12 pm • Map

    Jen Miller • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

  2. Senior project about Deep Direct Use (DDU) geothermal

    Associated Project(s): 
    Geothermal on Campus
    Independent Student Projects

    Lauren Kumle, Tess Sobol, Jaboc Heglund, and Tommy Robey in CEE 493 - Sustainable Design Engineering Technology worked with Dr. Andy Stumpf in Fall 2020 on a Deep Direct Use (DDU) geothermal proposal for north campus.

    Dr. Stumpf provided this information to the team in September:

    If your team is interested, you might consider a different technology for geothermal energy at Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory. Specifically a deep direct-use (DDU) geothermal energy system (GES). I suggest this because I am not certain there is enough ground space at Newmark for a geothermal borefield like at CIF. The advantages of DDU GES is it requires fewer wells, and there would be enough thermal energy extracted to condition space in multiple buildings. Essentially, the DDU GES comprises extraction and injection wells (likely 2 of each needed) to access geothermal fluids (brine) from deeper bedrock formations. Under campus, one of the potential bedrock formations, the St. Peter Sandstone, lies at ~2,000 feet depth and contains an abundant amount of fluid at 78-82°F. When I last talked to Professor Liang Liu (who recently retired from College of Engineering), he was very interested in a study for DDU GES for the Engineering quad (south of Grainger library). So I think your findings from this type of system would be timely and more likely to be implemented.

     

    My colleagues and I just completed a feasibility study of DDU GES for six agricultural research facilities on the South Farms (see summary paper attached).

    The focus was on the deeper Mt. Simon Sandstone (lying at >6000 feet depth) because we were interested in extracting the hottest brine (110-130°F) since some of the farms needed to make hot water. They are not connected to the steam and hot/cold water energy system servicing the main part of campus, so propane and natural gas are the primary fuels. However, the St. Peter Sandstone would be an alternative… and this formation is also being considered for cooling buildings.

     

    If you are interested in looking at DDU for the Newmark site, I can share the report with you. It should contain much of the information you need. Some of colleagues can help you with the life cycle costs and mechanical energy system analyses. Completing this project would also help researchers on campus compete for funding from DOE to complete tests wells which will be needed to validate your findings. DOE is very interested in developing DDU GES in non-volcanic areas of the US, especially for district-energy systems. Cornell University just received funding from DOE for a test well to develop a DDU GES on their campus, but they will most likely have to drill >15,000 feet into the Precambrian granite develop the system. They are looking to generate electricity with very hot water. https://eos.org/science-updates/exploring-by-boring-geothermal-wells-as-research-tools.

     

    Doing a rough calculation, I think constructing a DDU GES would be of similar cost to a shallow borefield with 50-100 wells. The DDU GES would be much more efficient since you are directly using the heated brine and not trying to conduct heat in the ground. The payback period would be much quicker since it will be servicing more than one building.

     On 9/25/2020, Lauren, Tommy, and Jacob met with Dr. Stumpf.  He provided the following update:

    I had a meeting with Lauren Jacob and Tommy today about their design project. I suggested they look at a DDU system that would heat/cool 4 buildings (Newmark, DCL, Uni High, and Siebel Center). I guess the number of buildings will depend on the amount of energy that can be extracted from the geothermal reservoir. I also suggested they look at the shallowest reservoir, the St. Peter Sandstone. As part of their analysis, they indicated there is a need for building level energy use data.

  4. SWATeam/iWG kick-off follow-up

    Associated Project(s): 
    Topical iCAP Teams
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    Hello sustainability teams and iCAP Working Group,

     

    Thank you so much to those who were able to attend the kickoff event last Thursday! We had 70 people in attendance and heard positive insight from our faculty chairs. Attached is the PowerPoint from the event with relevant information for the upcoming year, including the 2020-2021 timeline and a member list for each team. In the near future, we will send out a roster with email addresses for each member. The charge letters for the seven SWATeams are found here on the iCAP Portal. Please reach out at any time if you have questions on this information.

     

    We are very excited to share with you the iCAP 2020 (attached). Please use the objectives listed in your chapter to develop the iCAP assessment (due from each team by October 9).

     

    The first SWATeam meeting will soon be scheduled by the clerk of your team. We look forward to working together this year – thank you for your hard work and commitment to these important efforts!

     

    Best regards,

    Meredith Moore, Morgan White, and Ximing Cai

    Attached Files: 

  5. SWATeam charge letters

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Topical iCAP Teams
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Energy iCAP Team
    Education iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Resilience iCAP Team
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Engagement iCAP Team

    Attached are the charge letters sent to each of the SWATeam members with the iWG copied, on September 16 by iSEE interim director, Dr. Madhu Khanna. 

    Attached Files: 

  6. eweek announcement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Vision Zero

    Campus Safety Study: Focus Group for Vision Zero (UIUC)

    As part of Vision Zero study, a survey was sent out to collect data about problematic locations within campus. To collect further data and gain insights, we are conducting a focus group. Please fill out this form if you are interested in attending the focus group. The focus group would be held over zoom and would be an hour long. The link to the zoom meeting will be sent in a later email. 

    Jacob Mathew • Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

    baseline_wifi_black_18dp.png This opportunity is available online.

  7. Revolving Loan Fund: FY2020 Project Selection Results

    Associated Project(s): 
    Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
    Centralized Energy Efficiency Efforts
    Retrocommissioning (RCx)
    LED Campus

    7 projects were approved during the FY2020 Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) project selection. At this time, final scoring results were determined as well. F&S will be beginning these projects soon and will start assessing their correlated utility savings.

    Due to COVID-19, the voting process was conducted via email as opposed to meeting in person. As a result of the success in the virtual voting process, future selections are planned to occur in a similar fashion.

    Attached Files: 

  8. eweek announcement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    The Crochet Coral Reef: Intersections of Math, Science and Art

    Margaret Wertheim is a writer, artist and curator whose work brings together art, math and science as evidenced in her Crochet Coral Reef, created through hyperbolic crochet. This talk launches the Urbana-Champaign Satellite Reef, Part of the worldwide Crochet Coral Reef project by Christine and Margaret Wertheim. Visit the project website https://uiucsatellitecrochetcoralreef.wordpress.com/

    September 17, 5:30 pm • Map

    Jennifer Bergmark • School of Art and Design

  9. Welcome SWATeams/iWG

    Associated Project(s): 
    Topical iCAP Teams
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    Dear SWATeams and iWG,

     

    We hope that you have had a smooth start to the academic year. Thank you for agreeing to serve on the iCAP teams (SWATeams) this year! You are an instrumental part of one of the seven teams: Zero Waste, Transportation, Energy, Land & Water, Resilience, Education, and Engagement (a new team this year)! You will soon receive an official charge letter from the iSEE interim director, Dr. Madhu Khanna.

     

    We would like to invite you to the annual kick-off event which will include an overview of the iCAP process, expectations of the teams, and status of past recommendations. This event will be held next Thursday, September 17 via Zoom from 4-5pm. An Outlook invitation will follow this email. This event is a fantastic opportunity to gain an understanding of how these teams positively impact campus, and also say “hi” to the other members which is especially important as we are encouraging greater collaboration between the teams this year.

     

    Secondly, please mark your calendars for the virtual Campus Sustainability Celebration on Tuesday, October 22 from 3-4:30pm. This will be an exciting event as the official approval ceremony of the iCAP 2020 by Chancellor Jones! Meredith will be sending Outlook invitations shortly.

     

    Please let us know if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you this year, and thank you again for your commitment to campus sustainability efforts!

     

    Best regards,

    Dr. Ximing Cai and Morgan White, iWG co-chairs, and Meredith Moore, Sustainability Programs Coordinator

  11. eweek announcement

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Food Practices

    ARC Student Food Pantry

    Announcing the opening of the Food Assistance & Well-Being Program! We are a shopping-style food pantry providing the UIUC campus with access to nutritious food and necessities in a supportive, inclusive environment. Food Science and Human Nutrition Students will also be available to answer shopper questions and to provide resources to prepare the food. 

    August 25 • Tuesdays 1-4 pm and Saturdays 2-5 pm • ARC Instructional Kitchen

    Jade Hamann • Department of Campus Recreation

  14. Surplus reopened

    Associated Project(s): 
    Reuse Surplus Goods and Valuable "Waste"

     

     
    Surplus Warehouses reopened at UIC and UIUC

    UAFR is pleased to announce the equipment surplus warehouses at both UIC and UIUC have now reopened and are accepting scrap/surplus equipment from university departments.

    Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new safety and health related procedures and protocols over the handling of scrap/surplus equipment and access to the surplus warehouse are effective immediately. 

    Key new protocols include:

    • disinfecting scrap/surplus equipment prior to shipment to the surplus warehouse (either by the unit or the campus movers with procedures varying by university) 
    • an appointment only scheduling system to access the UIUC surplus warehouse 

    Units must review the new required safety procedures and protocols for each specific campus at the Surplus Warehouse Operations - OBFS website.

    Contact
    For questions about surplus warehouse operations or the new protocols, contact Magdalena Jach at mj20@uillinois.edu or (312) 585-9171.

    For questions about specific FABweb disposal requests, please contact Juana Rodriquez at juana@uillinois.edu or (312) 585-9146.

     

     

     

  15. Sustainability Facts Sheet

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build a Culture of Sustainability
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    Attached are files for the Sustainability Facts Sheets in both a digital and printed form.

    This facts sheet is intended for the following audiences:

    • Demographics unfamiliar with campus sustainability.
    • New Faculty & Staff
    • New & transfer students
    • Outreach and Education programs
    Attached Files: 

  16. Funding Approval for Outdoor Recycling Bins

    Associated Project(s): 
    Outdoor Recycling Bin Update
    Utilize Carbon Credits
    Carbon Credit Purchasing Program (C2P2) with Second Nature

    Evan DeLucia and Mohamed Attalla approved $310,000 of funding from the Carbon Credit Sales Fund for replacing outdoor trash receptacles with trash and recycling dual bins.

     

    An email of the approval is attached below.

    A project memo is attached below.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Study Abroad Carbon Offset Manual

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program [ARCHIVED]

    Leah Courtney and Parima Michareune, two GFX Scholars in the Women in Engineering program, worked with Meredith Moore in spring 2020 to develop a carbon offset manual for University of Illinois study abroad programs (manual attached). In fall 2020, we will work to pilot this carbon offset program for engineering students who study abroad. 

    Attached Files: 

  18. Preliminary carbon offset research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program [ARCHIVED]
    2015 Illinois Climate Action Plan (2015 iCAP) [ARCHIVED]
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    iSEE intern, Julija Sakutyte, and Meredith Moore have conducted preliminary research into successful local carbon offset programs, including what other institutions have implemented (summary attached). Next steps include: select a value per pound of CO2, develop scope of carbon emissions, identify local projects to fund, and track emissions reduced. 

    Attached Files: 

  19. iCAP 2020 Divestment Objective Review

    Associated Project(s): 
    Fossil Fuels Divestment - Support Letter

    From: Benson, Barry D
    Sent: Thursday, August 6, 2020 7:29 AM
    To: Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078 at illinois.edu>
    Subject: Re: iCAP 2020 divestment objective review

     

    Hi Meredith,

     

    Thank you for your email and I appreciate the opportunity to review the objective below.  I look forward to seeing the final document.  All the best and stay safe and healthy!

     

    Regards,

    — Barry

     

    On Aug 4, 2020, at 4:41 PM, Moore, Meredith Kaye <mkm0078 at illinois.edu> wrote:

    

    Hello Mr. Benson,

     

    I hope this message finds you well. My name is Meredith Moore and I am the Sustainability Programs Coordinator with the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE). We are nearing the final stages of the editing process of the  Illinois Climate Action Plan 2020 (iCAP 2020), our campus sustainability strategic plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. I wanted to check with you to review and verify the language of the objective below on fossil fuel divestment. We discussed this objective in length at the Sustainability Council meeting with Chancellor Jones in June and would now like to lock in this language as soon as possible. I am happy to answer any questions you may have, and look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you!

     

    #9.1 [Chancellor]: Fully divest from fossil fuel companies by FY25.

    Fossil fuel companies are defined as companies which profit from the extraction, transport, or combustion of coal, petroleum, or natural gas. The production and use of coal contributes to environmental, social, and health issues, potentially leading to irreversible ecological damage. The university currently invests less than 1% of its portfolio in coal utility and mining companies and has already divested its direct holdings in coal. As an institution that prides itself on being "a model of sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness for the world to see," it is imperative that the university's values and commitment to combating climate change are reflected in all of our investments. By divesting from fossil fuel companies, the university will reduce its contributions to and association with the negative environmental and social impacts attached to fossil fuel companies. Trends also suggest that the change in the economic market, especially as a result of COVID-19, supports a positive financial decision to divest. In order to ensure financial stability and cease contributing to climate change and social injustice, the University of Illinois must enact a plan to replace all of its investments in fossil fuel companies with financially stable and ethical investments as soon as possible, and then reinvest in more sustainable companies. 

    The university has been discussing fossil fuel divestment since 2000 when students formed a group named “UIUC Beyond Coal.” Fossil fuel divestment has been formally recommended by the Joint Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Licensing and Investment in 2017 and a resolution passed in 2019. In August 2017, students sent a memo to Chancellor Jones “expressing our unanimous position that the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana should set a date within the next decade for complete divestment from coal utility and coal mining companies.”  Chancellor Jones’ October 2017 reply noted, “this is a complex and interconnected financial network that crosses a number of different governance lines within the University System.” He also stated, “I will share your report with President Tim Killeen and with UIF President Jim Moore and initiate conversations with them about the next steps we might take to move ourselves towards a more sustainable footprint while maintaining the financial stability we require as a university.” He has verbally supported divestment multiple times since.

    The University of Illinois Foundation is an organization related to the university that manages the endowment with an independent board. While neither the Chancellor nor the University President can make this decision for the University of Illinois Foundation, they can clearly state their support of fossil fuel divestment and specifically request a change from the decision authorities. Through this iCAP objective, we will work with the Office of the Chancellor to create a letter encouraging divestment. The letter will be from Chancellor Jones, and it will be sent to all responsible parties involved in the decision to divest, including the University of Illinois Foundation, Board of Trustees, President Killeen, and those responsible for the portion of the endowment housed in the President’s office. Divesting from fossil fuels is a significant step to put our environmental commitments into action.

     

     

    --
    Meredith Moore
    Sustainability Programs Coordinator

    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    1101 W. Peabody, Urbana, Suite 338 (NSRC)

    217.333.0119 | mkm0078 at illinois.edu

    sustainability.illinois.edu

      

  20. Chicago's Renewable Energy Resolution

    Associated Project(s): 
    Use Clean Power

    BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this thirteenth day of March 2019, commit to transition to 100% clean renewable energy community-wide beginning with 100% renewable electricity in buildings by 2035 and complete electrification of CTA's bus fleet by 2040;

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we commit to ensuring that community-wide power will come from the generation and storage of clean, renewable energy from solar, wind, and geothermal sources with an emphasis on new and local resources; and

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City of Chicago will develop a transition plan by December 2020, which will outline key strategies, set progression milestones, develop a timeline for reaching an equitable clean energy transition, and further opportunities to create a 100% clean, renewable energy future community-wide, as well as addressing issues including but not limited to...

    (see file)

    Attached Files: 

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