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  5. RECs for small solar rooftop arrays

    Associated Project(s): 
    Rooftop Solar Potential
    Solar Power on Campus
    ECE Net-Zero Energy Building
    ECE Rooftop Solar PVs

    Hi Rob and Tony,

     

    Tim Mies asked me who “owns” the RECs from small scale solar arrays at individual buildings.  I said I’d have to check into it.

     

    At first I thought all RECs are owned by central campus (UES), but then I questioned myself.  For a rooftop solar array, we don’t include it in the M-RETS program, and at ECE, we only “sold” them the solar farm 2.0 RECs.  We let them count their rooftop solar directly and they have the DOR accordingly. 

     

    So is it appropriate to tell him that the RECs associated with the 14.7 kW array he is planning to install at the Energy Farm (not the SCAPES project) will be considered “used” at the Energy Farm?

     

    I would caution that we do not want individual departments to get into selling RECs, without a much broader discussion.  So perhaps we should say that he can use/retire them at his site, but he cannot sell them without further discussion?

     

    What do you recommend?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

    Good questions. I think that if the department “owns” the REC, then they should also be able to sell the REC. I am interested in others views on the topic, and agree that it would lend to a much broader discussion.

    Rob Roman

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

    I agree that a broader discussion would be helpful.

     

    Best,

     

    Tony

  6. Task Report for Sam Wuebbles from 10/2 to 11/7

    Associated Project(s): 
    Appropriately Staff Sustainable Transportation Efforts

    Here are the things I have been working on:

    • Material Research Lab bicycle rack design - in progress 
    • First social media post flyer (needs approval) - in progress
    • Other social media topics
      • 11/14 - bike fun facts
      • 11/21 - Fall Break
      • 11/28 - proper way to ride
      • 12/5 - (finals) proper way to store bicycle over break
      • *other events, topics, or positive bike riding examples* (I just remember you saying that you wanted a post a week)
    • Field work
      • bicycle rack placements
      • eco counter
    • Eco Counter
      • collected data
      • updated data in metrix
    • Created survey for dangerous areas / cautions for congestion bike paths / sidewalks on campus
    • iCAP
      •  
    • Readings
      • comp plans and informational bike readings
        • Examples: 5 E's, Campus Bike Plan (old and new), Bike at Illinois, etc.
    • ADA complaint
      • on the backside of learning about and understanding the complaint and seeing future takes.
    • worked for the staff information meeting at State Farm
    • attended the "Green Infrastructure and Erosion Control" (10/24)

  7. Student Let Project SegBin.ai Feasibility

    Associated Project(s): 
    Install Appropriate Waste Collection Infrastructure
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    Hey Morgan,

     

    The SSC has moved to fund this; I would like to get the go-ahead on it.

     

    Improper waste segregation poses significant environmental and financial challenges. In colleges, even students often need to pay more attention to separate waste correctly, leading to damaged recyclables, increased landfill waste, and the labor-intensive task of sorting improperly discarded waste. This issue extends beyond universities, indicating a larger problem with waste management globally. The current approach of replacing traditional single-bin systems with costly three-bin recycling bins has improved diversion rates but falls short of expectations. Financial burdens arise from the need to hire workers for manual waste sorting. To address this problem, we developed a cost-effective solution that ensures minimal damage to recyclables by sorting waste at the point of disposal.

    The project's use of AI, and revenue optimization contributes to more efficient waste management practices. This not only minimizes contamination and reduces landfill waste but also optimizes the recovery of recyclable materials. The data analysis dashboard provides users with valuable insights into disposal trends and waste composition. This empowers users to make informed decisions about waste management, promoting responsible practices. Additionally the lower cost of switching to SegBin.Ai than conventional 3 bin dustbins by over 50% significantly reduces spend on waste management infrastructure and it also has a major boost in waste diversion rates.


    I don’t like the budgeted amount of $1,600.00 for CAD and Software, it is confusing, it appears the students are paying themselves. I would like clarification on this.
    Codie

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

    Hi Codie,

     

    Can you point me to the full file for this?  Are they just developing a software program, or building some sort of AI robot system for sorting mail?

     

    Thanks,

    Morgan

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

    Hey Morgan,

    This is the link for the project application and Excel application, I cc’d Daphne Hulse in the email as she is the advisor and can help with clarification questions. I always appreciate your time,

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

    Hi Morgan,

     

    The student group here is developing both a software system and physical prototype to place on top of existing recycling bins (the ones that are not the 3-stream bins). They are piloting sorting system at the recycling bin for the software to distinguish different types of objects and tell the user which stream to place it in (trash, paper, bottles/cans, etc.). They are planning to pilot this at PPSB and Garage & Carpool, with the understanding that it needs to be feasible for BSWs.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

  8. Smart light poles - IUB -11/11 event

    Associated Project(s): 
    Zero Waste Messaging Campaign

    Daphne,

     

    Thought I would share that we are working to get more images up on the smart poles outside of the Illini Union bookstore. Katie is going to see if she can create a simple design for the 11/11 tailgate recycling event. Unfortunately the functionality and quality of the poles are less than to be desired, severely limiting everything from character limit, font size, style to final imagery. Nonetheless, we are trying and will share what we she comes up with for your review, as this is a great item for additional visibility.

    Malikah A. Gordon

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

    Daphne,

     

    Attached is a sign Katie designed for the smart poles outside of IUB. We are pretty limited in terms of text and images, for now. I would like to run these from 11/8-11/11. Please let me know if you have any feedback.

     

    Best,

    Malikah

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

    This looks excellent – thank you for putting this together! I do not have any additional edits.

     

    Thank you,
    Daphne

  9. Weekly Update: Cranksgiving, Halloween last week

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Halloween was last week, and we are still awash in candy and Halloween-themed cellophane.

    Weather bumped back up, too, and we had a wait for stands on Friday. As the mercury goes, so do we. Accordingly, Monday and Wednesday project to be busy. 

    Getting some bikes on the sales floor and tackling some organizational projects; will continue to do so this week. Will also tackle some more kids bikes as we ramp up production for that.

    This coming Saturday (11/11) the Bike Project is hosting Cranksgiving, a bicycle ride/food drive to collect donations for a local food pantry. I’ll mention it to my staff and patrons this week.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 43
    Sales: $484
    Memberships: 9 for $270
    Tires/tubes: 8 for $59

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Coordinator -- Campus Bike Center

  11. Sustainability tour on bike map draft

    Hi Sarthak,

    Please find attached the pdf containing bike tour map for your comments. Please let me know any more text or graphics are to be added.

     

    Thank you,

    Tushar Kokitkar

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

    Hi Morgan and Stacey,

     

    I think there are some styling issues, but I like this tour map. What do you guys think? We will have Sustainable Student Farm as an alternate, but I don’t want to use Windsor, so I think we will probably skip it.

     

    Thank you,

    Sarthak

    Attached Files: 

  12. AASHE 2023 and storm water question

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS)

    All,

     

    Was great to catch up with so many old and new friends at AASHE!  Thank you for keeping Texas in your hearts and in your top 4 CFP rankings ...

     

    I can’t recall if this group has discussed innovative storm water management.  All of our capital projects have very tight site boundaries so our opportunities for on-site management are few and costly. We’re investigating fee-in-lieu and stormwater credit funding models, but I’m wondering if anyone else has an established off-site stormwater management financing program in place ...

     

    Thanks!

     

    Jim

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

    Jim,

     

    We've done some work on different approaches to managing stormwater. I'll send a separate email to introduce you to one of my colleagues who leads our efforts in this area.

     

    Shane 

  13. Illini Lights Out Event 11/3/23

    Associated Project(s): 
    Illini Lights Out

     At Friday's Illini Lights Out event, over 250 volunteers turned off 4,832 light bulbs that otherwise would have been left on all weekend, saving $735.16 in energy costs. This also prevented 5.9 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from entering the atmosphere, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 665 gallons of gasoline being consumed. 

  15. Land & Water iCAP Team November 2023 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Meadow at Orchard Downs
    Cover Crops on South Farms
    Land and Water iCAP Team

    The Land & Water iCAP team met on Teams from 1-2 PM on Friday, November 3rd. The team discussed permeable pavers at State Farm Center, the meadow at Orchard Downs, cover crops on the South Farm, and the iCAP 2025 rewrite of the Land & Water chapter. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  16. Weekly meeting with Ethan

    Associated Project(s): 
    2024 Campus Bike Plan
    Independent Student Projects

    Sarthak & Ethan Meeting 11/3

    Campus landscape master plan 

    • where there is a map, see if there is anything related to trails or sidewalks, see where they are mentioned, try to include that in our plan 
    • Include: Implement campus landscape master plan
    • Page 25
    • Main quad district (we can use the image on page 66)
    • On Monday, begin process of pulling out data from landscape plan 
    • Work in person on Wednesday at 1pm

    Evaluation section

    • Add implement campus landscape master plan 

    Implementation

    • put projects on the list from landscape plan 
    • Can use the images from the plan

    Wednesday we will organize the document 

    Equity and accessibility section

    • only talk about how we want Ada accessible

    Existing Conditions

    • can minimize words, do not need as much details 

    Crash Data

    • update graph 

    Landscape plan excel:

    • Look at bike factors in its goals/recommendations 
    • Any bike related projects, take note of them, and where they are located

  17. Unique Opportunity for ISTC/U of I

    Deb & Kevin,

     

    Good afternoon.  As you may recall, prior to coming to the ISTC, I worked on several efficiency projects at my plant.  One of the companies integral to those projects (and also a great ally to our grant programs here) reached out to me regarding an incredible new technology.  In short, where there is a PRV (pressure reducing valve), it converts what would normally be wasted energy into electricity that can be stored in a battery or fed back to the grid. 

     

    The company that produces this valve is based in Italy and Adam Heil, Vice President of Operations at Coyle Supply (included on this e-mail), recently spoke with them.  He reached out to me as he is very excited (and after our conversation, so am I!!!) about the impact this can have on renewable/sustainable energy.  The U of I/ISTC has the opportunity to be the first university in the United States to perform and publish a study on this technology.  We could partner with the University Facilities to install on one (or several) of the cooling towers on campus.  I am not sure, however, within our organization, who would be the main/lead contact in this arena.

     

    Adam would be glad to come up to the university and present on the technology.

     

    Thank you in advance for your interest and assistance.

     

    Respectfully,

     

    BILL AUKSEL

    Attached Files: 

  19. Education iCAP Team November 2023 Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability at Career Fairs
    Sustainability Internship Program
    Sustainability in Study Abroad
    Education iCAP Team

    The Education iCAP team met on Teams from 1-2 PM on Thursday, November 2nd. The team discussed the Green Career Fair, Sustainability in Study Abroad, Gies College of Business Sustainability content, and the Sustainability Internship Coordinator report. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

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