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Projects Updates for Energy iCAP Team

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  1. iSEE Newsletter: Plantings Complete Solar Farm 2.0!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)
    Energy iCAP Team

    The final stage of the Solar Farm 2.0 project is wrapping up this month with the planting of a native pollinator habitat. The farm will serve as a major demonstration and research site for pollinator-friendly solar arrays, with more than 6.5 million flowering plants and native grasses around the 54 acres of panels creating a natural habitat for birds and beneficial insects. With this second solar farm, the campus has achieved clean energy goals outlined in the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) nearly four years ahead of schedule. Clean energy production will now support roughly 12 percent of annual campus electricity demand. Congratulations to Facilities & Services for all of the hard work on this important project; iSEE and its SWATeam members were proud to provide key support for Solar Farm 2.0 by pushing for an increased renewable portfolio in the iCAP. Students in iSEE's sustainability minor also helped assess the new array's carbon footprint!

  2. archived info - previous background info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team

    This team focuses on the 2015 iCAP objectives for Chapter 2 and Chapter 3, including:

    2.1 Maintain or reduce the campus gross square footage relative to the FY10 baseline.

    2.2 Identify the highest achievable energy standards for new buildings and major renovations, and incorporate these into the campus facility standards by the end of FY16.

    2.3 Strengthen centralized conservation efforts focusing on building systems, to achieve a 30% reduction in total campus buildings energy use by FY20.  This includes meeting the LED Campus commitments.

    2.4 Engage and incentivize the campus community in energy conservation, including a comprehensive energy conservation campaign, with at least 50% of units participating by FY20.

    3.1 The Energy Generation, Purchasing, and Distribution SWATeam, in collaboration with Facilities & Services and topical Consultation Groups, will lead an exploration of options for 100% clean campus energy during FY16 and submit recommendations through the formal sustainability process.

    3.2 Expand on-campus solar energy production.  By FY20, produce at least 12,500 MWh/year, and by FY25 at least 25,000 MWh/year, from solar installations on campus property.

    3.3 Expand the purchase of clean energy. By FY20, obtain at least 120,000 MWh, and by FY25 at least 140,000 MWh from low-carbon energy sources. These targets represent 48% and 56% of our expected 2050 electricity demand, respectively.

    3.4 Offset all emissions from the National Petascale Computing Facility (and other successor facilities) by the conclusion of the current period of National Science Foundation support.

  3. Sustainability Council Meeting 4-28-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    Sustainability Gen-Ed Requirement
    Sustainability iCAP Portal
    Engagement iCAP Team
    Sustainable Land Management Committee
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Energy iCAP Team

    The Sustainability Council met on April 28, 2021 and discussed the following: 

    • iCAP Dashboard
    • Post-pandemic Implications for iCAP 
    • Student Sustainability Leadership Council
    • Engagement001: General Education Board Sustainability Task Committee
    • Land Management
    • Overview of F&S Energy Management Plan 
    • Energy004: ACES Energy Performance Contract 

    See PowerPoint attached.

    Attached Files: 

  4. Energy iCAP Team Meeting from 04-14-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Green Lab Program
    Improve Space Utilization
    Clean Energy Plan

    The Energy iCAP Team met on April 14th, 2021 with Brian Bundren, a member of the Illinois Space Advisory Committee, about to learn more about how campus space can be managed more efficiently as a way to reduce energy consumption. The University moving from hybrid learning to more in-person instruction and the new IVCB budget model that assigns bills individual colleges for their energy use will have significant impacts on space usage. The team also discussed our recommendation for Green Labs, or ways to integrate sustainability in research labs and reduce their energy consumption. We will also be moving forward with recommending an Energy Planning document to outline steps towards carbon neutrality by 2050. 

    Meeting minutes and agenda are attached!

    Attached Files: 

  5. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 3-10-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Clean Energy Plan
    Improve Space Utilization
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Green Lab Program

    The Energy iCAP Team met on March 10th, 2021 to discuss next steps on a recommendation for a Comprehensive Energy Master Plan after F&S has published their Energy Management Plan that aims for a 50% reduction in energy utilization by 2026. The team also discussed recommendations for a Green Labs Program and ways to manage space usage on campus. Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed in-person activites and created a hybrid workforce, the team believes it will be important to study underused spaces on campus to reduce building-level energy use. 

    Meeting minutes, agenda, and chat log are attached!

    Attached Files: 

  7. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 2-10-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building Envelope Pilot Project
    Clean Energy Plan
    Implement Energy Standards
    Improve Space Utilization
    Energy Conservation Efforts

    The Energy iCAP Team had a meeting on Feb. 10th where student member, Brinn McDowell, shared a presentation on calculated energy savings from green lab protocols that could greatly contribute towards energy conservation efforts. Updates were give on the Building Envelope Pilot Project, which is anticipated to start in March with several Energy iCAP Team students participating. Among other topics of discussion were ways to enforce compliance with state energy standards, to cooperate with student leaders across the Engineering, Architecture, and Design disciplines, and to condition vacated spaces in a time of distance-learning and -working. The agenda, meeting minutes, and chat log are attached below!

    Attached Files: 

  8. The Daily Illini: 2050 looms near as iCAP teams stress energy sustainability

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Energy iCAP Team

    Please see the attached news story, published by the Daily Illini, regarding the challenges and goals surrounding 2020’s Climate Action Plan. The link is also available below. 

     

    Link to "2050 looms near as iCAP team stress energy sustainability" 

    Attached Files: 

  9. iCAP Working Group Meeting 1-20-2021

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Energy iCAP Team

    Below is the recording link for the 1-20-21 meeting. Meeting minutes to follow.

    https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:2b989ffe-dd40-44b8-bba7-ae3543421080#pageNum=1

    ***Correction from recording*** Example scenario - if in the first year, College of Engineering spends $100 million on utilities and in year 5, they do work to reduce consumption by $1 million, will they get that $1 million of savings in perpetuity or for a limited time? They would get $100 million in allocation, but their utility costs would only be $99 million and they would keep the difference and be able to spend it on other budget items.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 1-21-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Clean Energy Plan
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Building-Level Energy Efficiency
    Centralized Energy Efficiency Efforts

    The Energy iCAP Team had their first meeting of the Spring semester on January 21st, 2021. The meeting focused on obtaining supporting materials for a recommendation to start the Comprehensive Energy Plan, which will serve as an university-wide guide on energy conservation. A recommendation to model buildings for energy code compliance will likely be ready next month. Future discussions are planned with F&S representatives. A subcommittee of Energy team members will brainstorm concrete actions on energy efficiency in labs and residence halls. The agenda and meeting minutes are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  11. Energy iCAP Team Meeting Minutes from 12-15-20

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy Performance Contracting / ESCO
    Clean Energy Plan

    The Energy SWATeam met to discuss a past ESCO recommendation going through to the iWG, recently approved funding for a Building Envelope Team, and new recommendations that can be made regarding a "Comprehensive Energy Planning Document". Team members commented on a recommendation draft that would require campus buildings to have energy use models and data in order to comply with state energy codes. The Building Envelope Team has been approved for funding from the SSC and will start work next March!

    Meeting minutes and chat log are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

  12. Energy SWATeam Meeting Minutes from 11-17-20

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Anaerobic Digester at Beef and Sheep Study
    Building-Level Energy Usage Report

    On November 17th, the Energy iCAP Team met to discuss student, staff, and chair priorities for forming new recommendations. The team decided on starting to develop three different recommendations in the future:

    (1) Requiring campus buildings to comply with state Energy Code Compliance;

    (2) Encouraging labs on campus to save energy;

    (3) Educating students in residence halls about reducing energy consumption.

    Agenda, meeting minutes, and chat log are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  14. Energy iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Building-Level Energy Usage Report

    The Energy iCAP Team met for the first time on Oct. 2nd to discuss new ideas for addressing building-level energy usage during the pandemic and brainstormed priorities for achieving iCAP 2020 goals. Attached are the meeting minutes.

    The agenda is as follows: 

    1. Introductions
    2. Discuss Energy objectives
    3. Start developing goals for the team this year
    Attached Files: 

  15. 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: 

  19. Energy SWATeam Meeting: March 9, 2020

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team

    The Energy SWATeam met on 3/9/2020 to discuss the recommendation to be turned it at the end of the month. Each member interested in drafting a recommendation on behalf of the team presented their drafts. The meeting minutes and the presentation slides for the Anaerobic Digester Feasibility Study Recommendation are attached. 

    Attached Files: 

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