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Projects Updates for theme: all

  1. Illini Union Green Team Fall Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Participate in Regional Green Teams

    Notes from Illini Union Green Team fall meeting include:

    - Raneeta Mack, specialist in social media from Illini Union's marketing team, has joined the Illini Union Green Team. 

    - Planning/outreach plan for Earth Week has been dropped into "Earth Week Planning" Teams file folder.

    - Izabel Carmen will attend next Student Sustainability Committee Board meeting on 11/19/21, 1PM to speak to the Earth Week programming and coordination. 

    Attached Files: 

  2. Sustainability Sub-Council Meeting 11/10/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Clean Energy Plan
    Rainwater Management
    Energy iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Vet Med Parking Lot Re-Design

    The Sustainability Sub-Council met on November 10, 2021 in preparation of the Sustainability Council meeting. The primary agenda items included: 

    • iCAP 2020 process reminder
    • Energy007 Comprehensive Energy Planning Document 
    • LW002 and Rainwater Funding Issues
    • Sustainability priorities and next steps

    The slide deck is attached with meeting minutes to follow.

    Attached Files: 

  4. Dhruv and Ali provided the following answers to Sterling with SafeTraces

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

     --------------------------------------------------------------------

    This is an example of what the format used below.

    Q#: What is the answer to this question?

    A#: This is the answer to that question.

     --------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    Dhruv and Ali provided the following answers to Sterling with SafeTraces:

     

     

    Q1: Please provide PDFs of the full floor plan layout drawings for the entire building. Be sure to include 
    square footage for each room and common areas. It is also very important to identify operable windows, if any? 

    A1: Floor plans with room areas attached. 
    Following files are attached for floor plans 
    B0300-01-11X17 Astronomy Building-(1st floor plan)-2021 
    B0300-02-11X17 Astronomy Building-(2nd Floor plan)-2021 
    (current/anticipated occupancy assumptions would be helpful) 

     

    Q2: What are the Astronomy Building's normal hours of operation?

    A2: Monday to Friday (0800 hrs-1700 hrs.). Saturday and Sunday the building is locked. 

     

    Q3: What is the air filtration rating for the spaces?

    A3: MERV :: HEPA Filters at AHU, currently MERV-13. 

     

    Q4: What is the Make/Model, age, specs and replacement/upgrade history of the existing HVAC system?

    A4: Original AHU from 1990, Trane Model 41A, Serial K89H24684. Original AHU equipment schedule attached. AHU controls originally pneumatic, upgraded to DDC (Siemens) in 2016 to allow occupancy schedules to be implemented. Zone level (VAVs) are still pneumatic.  I believe the fume hoods are only energized when in use.  Heating in the building is hot water radiators and hot water VAV reheat (no heating coil at AHU) fed from hot water boilers. 30% glycol cooling coil in AHU, fed from air cooled chiller on site. 

     

    Q5: What is the Make/Model and full specifications of the portable air purifiers expected to be used or are being used in the building? 

    A5: I don’t believe any portable air purifiers are currently in use. 

     

    Q6: Please identify all HVAC zones in the drawings. (Note: This is a command, not a question)

    A6: See zone map drawings Paul sent previously. Please review the attached file 
    CC-0300_09_V-700_RCX-Astronomy Building-Zones plan-AHU-EFU-2017 

     

    Q7: How many air-changes per hour is the HVAC system currently providing?

    A7: Will vary from room to room based on VAV damper position, ceiling height, etc. Based on a peak airflow of AHU (21,200 CFM), overall building area, and typical ceiling height (9’-0”), we’d have about 11.3 air changes per hour at peak load. 

     

    Q8: What are the basic assumptions for outside air intake to aid in dilution/ventilation for all interior spaces? 

    A8: AHU has a minimum OA position, and runs based on an occupancy schedule. We’ve temporarily changed our AHUs to run in occupied mode from 6AM to midnight for most of our units due to COVID-19 precautions. Unit is also sized for economizer when OA conditions allow. 

     

    Q9: What are the weather assumptions for heating and cooling the interior spaces along with outdoor temperature and humidity estimates?

    A9: I’m not positive what conditions the original designers used in 1990, but see page 2 of the “HVAC Systems” attachment from our facilities standards for our typical OA design conditions. 

    Attached Files: 

  8. Engagement iCAP Team Meeting

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

    The Engagement iCAP Team met on Tuesday, November 9 to ideate recommendations on each of the team's four themes: awareness & purpose, technology & visibility, culture & practicality,  and inclusivity & relationships. The committee broke out into groups to generate lists of recommendations the team intends to pursue. Meeting minutes attached.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Weekly Update: Uncommonly busy; Visit from Ride Illinois; Kids Bike Giveaway

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, We were, again, uncommonly busy for this time of year. Beginning of this week looks bike-friendly, too (as in: warm). A couple people finished up their B-a-Bs last week. I picked up parts from Urbana so we’re well-stocked on 26” wheels, which we’d run out of, mostly—surprisingly.

    We’re still ironing out dates for our Kids Bike Giveaway event and the specifics therein. Will work more on this in the coming week.

    Last week I was visited by the Executive Director of Ride Illinois, the statewide bike advocacy group. It was a brief chat but a good one and nice to have our operation on their radar. Relatedly, our new space continues to impress.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 39
    Sales: $967
    Memberships: 9 for $270
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $380
    Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $90

    Tires/tubes: 10 for $56

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  11. This Week in Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Agrivoltaics: Crop Production and Solar Panels on the Same Land
    Geothermal on Campus
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm
    Support the MTD Bus System
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    What do giant grasses, micro grids, deep wells, and hydrogen-powered buses all have in common? They are all part of a clean energy future that is being imagined, created, and tested here at UIUC. The breadth of our energy research portfolio, across all of the campus and the broader C-U community, is truly impressive. Here are just a few examples:

    Solar Farm 2.0 will soon be home to a newly awarded, $10M project led by Madhu Khanna to optimize the design of "Agrivoltaics," or fields with both crops and solar panels to maintain crop production, produce renewable energy, and increase farm profitability. A few miles to the east, the Energy Farm boasts extensive test plots to study how to grow and use plants as biofuel. The farm is using a biomass boiler to replace propane as the fuel source for its main research greenhouse. The Energy Farm is also home to one of dozens of geothermal wells on campus that are helping scientists like Yu-Feng Lin develop better geothermal systems, while on the north side of campus, the new Campus Instructional Facility is heated and cooled with a state-of-the art geothermal system. Nuclear power is expected to play an important role in meeting our campus ICAP goals, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission hosted a hearing last week to seek input on our plans to site a next-generation, micronuclear reactor near the Abbott Power Plant. Integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid presents unique challenges, and Illinois power system researchers, including Alejandro Domínguez-García, are working to develop microgrid technology to address issues of reliability and resilience. Meanwhile, researchers such as Petros Sofronis are working on a bold new vision for national leadership in the emerging hydrogen economy. (It might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but the CUMTD just launched two hydrogen-powered, zero-emission buses—the first in the state!) 

    There is only one way I can wrap up a message about our campus energy research: The future looks bright, indeed!

    Sincerely,

    Susan

  12. Climate Rally 11/12 at ISU Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support Regional Sustainability
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)

    The following information was received from Haley Cepek, the secretary for the Student Environmental Action Coalition at Illinois State University:

    We are currently planning a climate rally in response to the recent COP26 conference. It would take place this Friday, 11/12/21, starting at 1pm at Uptown Circle right outside ISU campus. I want to spread the word over to the University of Illinois so that more people would have the opportunity to use their voice for change. It is an important event and I would love for University of Illinois to have representation. I would greatly appreciate if you could help me in spreading the word over to your campus. We are hoping to make as big of an impact as we can with this rally, and we would truly benefit from combining our communities together to support one cause.

  14. iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress

    The harmful economic & environmental effects of agricultural waste can be mitigated with cutting-edge technologies, such as converting it to biochar & fuel. Join the final Fall iSEE Congress session with Thomas Trabold, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Yuanhui Zhang, Founder Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois.

    November 9, 12–1 pm • Register for Zoom webinar

    Julie Wurth • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

  15. Free Webinar - Conscious Consumerism

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Procurement

    Do you want to ensure that your spending is ethical and making a positive impact on the world? Is being mindful about where your money goes important to you? This webinar provides the tools you need to think critically about your own consumption. Learn how you can align your own behaviors with your personal values and goals. Registration required.

    Student Money Management Center • University of Illinois System Student Money Management Center

    Free Webinar - Conscious Consumerism

  17. Clean the Air Challenge info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Competitions

    The Clear The Air Challenge is an alternative, sustainable transit challenge done along the Wasatch Front in Utah every February, using the TravelWise app (specifically designed for this challenge in the region). While the challenge only incorporates transit and transportation, expanding it to other areas of sustainability, such as lights and electricity, would be a great action to take! 

     

    Here is the link to the challenge's website:  https://cleartheairchallenge.org/ 

  18. Walkability Audit: Training sessions

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    From Nov 1- Nov 6, 2021, Sarthak and Sutapa have been conducting training sessions (Virtual and In-person) for the Walkability Audit project. A total of 31 volunteers have been divided into 9 teams of 3 (or 4) volunteers each and have been assigned map blocks and unique id's to perform the survey. Detailed maps of the assigned blocks showing the sidewalks, buildings, building entrances and other key areas has been sent to each team member. 

    The Virtual training sessions are designed get a walkthrough of the Training Manual in order to get the volunteers familiar with the questions of the survey and key concepts that they might come across while performing the audit. It also introduces how to Download, log into and use the ArcGIS survey 123 app. Any questions or queries the volunteers had regarding the surveys were solved during these virtual sessions.

    The In-person data collection training sessions were designed for the volunteers to get familiar with the ArcGIS survey 123 app and to correctly input their observations for both the surveys. Volunteers were asked to move around map blocks of the Illini union or the F&S building (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL) to collect test data and sample deficiencies were identified during the test walk. The deadline for the volunteers to complete the data collection is 20th Nov 2021.

     

    Timeslot(s) for the Virtual Training Sessions:


    Nov 1, Mon 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM


    Nov 1, Mon 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM


    Nov 2, Tue 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM


    Nov 2, Tue 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


    Nov 3, Wed 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM


    Nov 3, Wed 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    Nov 4, Thu 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    Nov 5, Fri 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    Nov 5, Fri 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

    Nov 6, Sat 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

     

    Timeslot(s) for the In-Person Training Sessions:


    Nov 2, Tue 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union


    Nov 3, Wed 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at F&S (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL)


    Nov 4, Thu 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at F&S (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL)

    Nov 4, Thu 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union

    Nov 5, Fri 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM at F&S (1501 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL)

    Nov 5, Fri 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union

    Nov 6, Fri 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM at Illini Union

    Attached Files: 

  19. Information Needed to Establish a Framework for the Project

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

    The following email was sent by Sterling Laylock to Dhruvaraj Gambhire & Ali Feroz Khan.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    We greatly appreciated the opportunity to meet with you today. Please find below the list of information we'll need to establish a detailed framework
    for our pilot project and pricing for full approval.

     

    We've also agreed to meet each Thursday at 4:00pm central time which will serve as our weekly meeting. There will be an exception
    to next week's meeting which will be held on Wednesday Nov 10th at 4:00pm.

     

    Building Site: Astronomy Building #0300

    Weekly Meeting Time: Thursday's 4:00-5:00pm Central

    Tasks Prior to Test Date:

    1. Test Site Floor Plan Analysis
    2. Determine Test Site Design
    3. Develop Project Protocols
    4. Establish Sampling Method
    5. Select Sampling Types, Origin Points + Intervals

    Tasks Post Test Date:

    • Lab Testing
    • Data Reporting
    • Recommendations
    • Business Case Analysis

     

    DATA and QUESTIONS: 

    Required items are highlighted in BLUE**) [note the color is not displayed on the icap portal, instead the items are starred (**)]

    Additional items are necessary, however they can be addressed later in the project timeline.

    1.     Please provide PDFs of the full floor plan layout drawings for the entire building. Be sure to include 
    square footage for each room and common areas. It is also very important to identify operable windows, if any? ** 
    (current/anticipated occupancy assumptions would be helpful)

    2.     What are the Astronomy Building's normal hours of operation? **

    3.     What is the air filtration rating for the spaces? MERV :: HEPA

    4.     Make/Model, age, specs and replacement/upgrade history of the existing HVAC system?

    5.     Make/Model and full specifications of the portable air purifiers expected to be used or are
    being used in the building.

    6.     Please identify all HVAC zones in drawings.

    7.     How many air-changes per hour is the HVAC system currently providing?

    8.     What are the basic assumptions for outside air intake to aid in dilution/ventilation for all interior spaces.

    9.     Please include weather assumptions for heating and cooling the interior spaces along with outdoor temperature and humidity estimates.

  20. Preliminary notes on sustainability art

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Art Displays

    Emily Dickett, iSEE Sustainabiltiy Intern, compiled the following notes on sustainability and the arts:

    Art and sustainability (activesustainability.com):

    • Sustainability present in many aspects of everyday life

    • Art is a vehicle of expression

    • Nature is one of the most common things pained

    • Nature is one of the oldest things pained

      • Landscapes in old chinese ink, drawings on ancient egyptian tombs

    • Sustainability and art can increase interest in nature/sustainability

      • Make people question norms

    • New trend of Land Art - communicate sustainability messages through the materials used and their impact on the environment

      • Ex: sculptures out of plastic

      • Promote conversations and change

    How Artists Are Incorporating Sustainability Into Their Work | Yale Sustainability

    • Artwork is interpreted individually, different for each person

    • Sustainability in artwork gives people the chance to think critically about their own roles in climate change

    • Sustainability in artwork can pose an issue in a different way

      • Learn new issues through art

    • Art is symbolic and memorable

      • Make sustainability ideas stick!

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