Sarthak & I met on 3/8/2023 to go over some more of the BFU application. 

 

The current version of the log we are using is attached below.

 

 

A representative from the News-Gazette reached out to Steve Breitwieser with questions regarding Abbot Power Plant:

Please also see the attached spreadsheet with data on steam supplied buildings.

Hi Kathy,

 

Abbott Power Plant generates all district heating and almost 275,000

megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity each year using a high-efficiency

cogeneration process, which simultaneously produces both steam and

electricity. When the campus load for heat is highest during the

winter months, the plant, along with the two utility-scale solar

farms, provides almost all the electricity that the campus needs,

with the remainder coming from wind energy that is imported onto the

campus grid. Throughout the year, Abbott's sustainable cogeneration

process supplies approximately

85 percent of the total energy demand (steam and electricity) for the

Urbana campus, which includes almost 50 percent of the overall electricity usage. The electricity not generated at Abbott, from

 on-site solar arrays, or acquired through a wind power purchase

agreement is purchased through Prairieland Energy, a corporation

solely owned by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. More

information about utilities production is available at https://fs.illinois.edu/services/utilities-energy/production.

 

 Happy Holidays!

 Steve B.

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

Hi, Steve. As I'm assembling this week's column, I have several

 follow-up

 questions:

 

 Can you clarify what's meant by "district heating"?

 

 Does most of the steam generated by the cogeneration process end up

 heating some of the older buildings on campus? (I spent 20+ years in

 Mumford Hall and remember the sounds the pipes made at certain times of year.)

 

Any idea of approximately what percentage of the campus' interior spaces are still heated with ssssssteam heat?

 

I took a look at the website you mentioned, and have a couple of questions

 about that: What does  UES stand for?   And the website says, "During low

campus demand for both heat and air conditioning, Abbott typically

 burns natural gas. During the winter months, when the campus heat load

 is highest, a combination of both coal and natural gas is necessary."

Is that information still accurate? (I thought the coal scrubbers were

no longer in use on campus...?)

 

 

If it's not possible to get answers to me this week, that's OK; I can hold the item for next week.

 

Thank you,

KR

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

 Hi Kathy,

 

 I'll follow up on these in greater detail when everyone returns next week.

 

 UES is the acronym for the Utilities & Energy Services division that is within Facilities & Services. District heating is referencing the process used to distribute steam from Abbott to campus facilities through underground pipes.

 

Steve B.

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

Mike/Dave,

 

There were a couple of follow of questions to this media inquiry from the NG before the break.  Can you help clarify the highlighted sections by Wednesday with any additional information? For the interior spaces question, let me know if you can explain that more precisely – on our website we say “More than 250 campus buildings use the steam produced at Abbott for their heating.” The UMP also indicates: From discussions with U of I staff, approximately 85% of the campus condensate is returned to APP (if that would be something to note from a process standpoint along with an explanation like below).

 

Abbott uses gas turbines, natural gas-fired boilers, and coal fired boilers, recovering reject heat from electric generation to help produce steam. The plant pipes steam underground across campus to provide buildings with space heating, domestic hot water, sterilization, and more. Once used, the steam condenses into water and returns to the plant where it is recycled and reused.

 

 

I could respond to the fuel item with what we have said previously…

 

When the campus load for heat is highest during the winter months, natural gas and coal are utilized to meet the significant energy demand. The coal-fired

boilers are also a part of research efforts, primarily related to carbon capture technology. Additionally, maintaining fuel flexibility provides the university operational reliability and the ability to respond to market factors for purchased utilities.

 

Thanks for helping out with some more detail on this one.

Steve B.

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

Mark/Dave,

 

Do you guys or maybe steam distribution know approximately what percentage of campus buildings are still on steam heat?

 

Thanks

David Hardin

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

I have not seen a list. We will ask Steam.

 

When time allows maybe we could add a column to note the steam yes or no. Hmmmmm Elizabeth stated Keith Erickson had a list and she recalls some sort of building database that listed utilities per building such as steam,  electricity from Abbot or Ameren, gas etc. It would be nice to find this.

 

Dave

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

Mike/Frank,

 

Are you guys aware of the list/database Dave referenced below and if so where it is located?

 

Thanks

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

David,

 

I would think that EBS would provide a list of building that are served with steam, based on the meters in EBS.

 

Tony and/or Kate,

 

Can you clarify/confirm how many buildings on campus are served with steam from EBS?  The email string below indicates that the Util. Master Plant said over 250 buildings are served by steam from Abbott. Is that still the case?

 

Mike Larson

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

According to EBS, there are 175 active steam meters. Some buildings have multiple meters so there would be fewer buildings than that.

 

Thanks,

 

Kate Brewster

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

Anthony should be able to run a query that will give us an exact number from our last billing cycle.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

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

As of our last EBS billing the count is 147.  I have attached the file that supports this number for your reference.

 

Regards,

 

Tony

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

Below is an email exchange between Jim Sims and Tom Keller:

Mike or Tom,

 

The EMT is discussing the advantages of converting building heating systems from steam to hot water with steam distribution. Would one of you be able to clarify this benefit?

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

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

Jim,

 

Hot water is more efficient than steam because it is easier to control. This also adds comfort to the occupants. Steam can be easier to leak and it is hotter, so there are some small safety concerns. Steam tends to be a bit noisier than hot water. Hot water can be easier to maintain than steam.

 

There are quite a few other reasons. This is why hot water heating systems have become the industry standard.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

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

 

EMT,

 

I asked Tom Keller and Mike Halm to provide some feedback regarding the advantages of hot water versus steam within buildings. Please see Tom Keller’s response below for our information. Please let me know if we would like for Tom would like to further explain “quite a few other reasons” or his primary benefits listed below.

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

From: Kim, Hannah <hannahk9@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 9:17 PM
To: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Subject: Re: Advisor Request

 

Dear Daphne, 

 

Thank you so much for your willingness to help us out yet again:) We would absolutely love to have you as our advisor. Thank you! 

We are currently focusing on finishing the application for the funding as it is due 3/24. We can definitely meet to discuss the details as there is quite a lot that we need to cover. I can send you the basic rundown of the progress we have made so far and the application we are working on later this week. You can look through them and we can meet after spring break! Please let us know what time and day works for you the best. We are so pumped about this as well as we are learning new things every single day throughout our process. Can't wait to talk to you again:) 

 

Thank you, 

Hannah Kim

From: Hulse, Daphne Lauren <dlhulse2@illinois.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 7, 2023 4:09 PM
To: Vaya, Sakshi <svaya2@illinois.edu>; Kim, Hannah <hannahk9@illinois.edu>
Subject: RE: Advisor Request

 

Hi Sakshi & Hannah,

 

Great to reconnect with you! Jen and Morgan both pointed you in my direction, and I am happy to help assist/advise with this project. I understand that as a part of this project you are interested in pursuing SSC funding, which I am happy to help with as well. As needed, I can bring in other subject matter experts as the project progresses.

 

As a start, would you both like to meet to discuss this project a little more in depth, and what exactly you will be asking for in the SSC application? I can provide some history/context into waste management on campus, and some of the challenges we currently face with contamination and implementing composting in this region of Illinois.

 

Do you have a specific timeframe you are working within? I would suggest that we set a time to meet the week after spring break (3/20). Let me know how that sounds! I’m very excited about this project 😊

 

Thank you,

Daphne

 

Daphne Hulse (she/her)
Zero Waste Coordinator
Facilities & Services | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
+1 (217) 333-7550 | dlhulse2@illinois.edu
 


Please consider the environment before printing an email. Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act any written communication to or from university employees regarding university business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure.

Attached is a Transportation Demand Management presentation created for Employee Orientation.

Below is an email exchange between Morgan White and Sarthak Prasad on Sarthak's involvement in employee orientation:

Hi Sarthak,

 

Can you please provide a short statement here about what you for New Employee Orientation, including slides, topics, and time commitment.  We are looking to increase the F&S presence in new employee orientation, and I shared that you are already involved.

 

Thanks,

Morgan

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

Hi Morgan,

 

Please see attached the slides that I use for the IHR New Employee Orientation. It is a 30-45 minute commitment for me per month, including travel time. These orientations are held on the first Monday of every month, and I talk for about 15-20 minutes. The orientations are usually at the Conference Center, but sometimes they have it virtually.

 

I will be updating the slides for next month’s orientation to include It’s Your MTD and Commuter Program information. I have been attending these since fall 2021.

 

I had also worked on slides for Sustainability on campus, but you had asked me to wait before you reviewed it. Thank you,

Sarthak 

On March 6, UIUC sustainability representatives met and discussed the following:

Attendance: Tony Mancuso, Julie Wurth, Marty Kaufmann, Jen Fraterrigo, Steve Breitwieser, Shawn Patterson, Travis Tate, Daphne Hulse

Agenda:

1. Discussed the results from the 3-2-23 game.
   1. F&S will post for Don't Waste Wednesdays.
   2. iSEE will post on their newsletter in a couple weeks.
2. Jen to assist with calculating the recapture rate -- Daphne to provide the bottles and cans to weigh.
3. Email Travis and Steve the document shown (Shawn's calculation notes).
4. Todd Wilson -- U of I homepage: send the March 2 results.
5. How do we stand across the Big Ten schools for recycling at athletic events? Investigate

Below is an email exchange between William Villaflor from the Urbana Community Learning Lab and Stacy Gloss:

I am reaching out to invite you to participate in Franklin STEAM Academy's Earth Day/Month celebration. Throughout the month of April, Franklin Middle School, located in Champaign, is looking to organize a full month of events, guest speakers, and engaging learning opportunities to educate and empower their students to grapple with issues surrounding environmental justice, sustainability, and conservation.

 

Franklin is open to a variety of topics that would inspire students' passion for the earth and the environment; some examples of ideas include: a presentation on local conservation efforts, a hands-on opportunity to work with plants and animals, creating compost bins, environmental career exploration, etc.

 

If you are interested in this opportunity and determining whether this will be a good fit for your organization, we would be happy to connect you to the best person at Franklin STEAM Academy. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

 

Warmly,

 

William Villaflor and the CLL Team

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

Good morning friends and colleagues,

 

I have learned of a request for participation in Franklin Middle School's Earth Month activities coming up soon. 

Please contact Will Villaflor....if you are interested and able to participate.

 

Sincerely,

 

Stacy Gloss

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

Below is an email regarding the next SSLC Meeting from Jack Reicherts.

 

From: sslc-request@lists.illinois.edu <sslc-request@lists.illinois.edu> On Behalf Of Jack Reicherts
Sent: Sunday, March 05, 2023 5:12 PM
To: sslc@lists.illinois.edu
Subject: [sslc] SSLC Meeting TOMORROW! Mosey on by! 🤠

 

Howdy partners!

This here's yer friendly neighborhood cowboy, remindin' y'all about the next SSLC meeting comin' up quick. We'll be meetin' on Monday, March 6th at 6 pm in the Illini Union Student Org Complex.

We kindly ask that all y'all organizations send a representative to the meeting, 'ceptin' in case of a group-wide conflict. If there's a conflict, please send us a quick update on what yer group's been up to and any plugs y'all want us to make during the meetin’.

At the meeting, we'll be discussin' some mighty fine opportunities, includin' the Citizens Utility Board Letter Writin' Event, a lunch meeting with Prairie Rivers Network, sign-ups for Green Quad Day/Earth Day Festival durin’ Earth Month, and the newly named Green Globes awards ceremony (used to be called the Sustainability Grammy's and briefly "Growies"). We'll also be talkin' 'bout an upcomin’ meetin' with the administration at the Sustainability Council.

And, of course, we'll be providin' updates from all of our member organizations, so don't miss out on this chance to stay in the loop!

So, saddle up and mosey on down to the Illini Union Student Org Complex on Monday, March 6th at 6 pm. We're lookin' forward to seein' y'all there!

See ya down the trail,
Jack Reicherts, Co-Sherrif of the SSLC.

Yeehaw!

Below is an email exhange regarding a spring 2023 SDA Webinar:

Dear Wanjhen,

 

Thanks for Yu-Feng's arrangement. It seems that all invited speaker have agreed that our first SDA webinar will be hold on 8:30am-10:30am, 4/11 in Taiwan (7:30pm-9:30pm CDT, 4/10 in U.S.). Can you help us in announcing the Webinar to our colleagues in the Future Earth Taipei, and also arrange the on-line virtual meeting affairs(invitation letters, lecture fees, links, softwares, login.....) for our international speakers?

The title for the spring SDA webinar in Future Earth Taipei is "Campus Sustainability Actions as a Living Laboratory"

 

 Here is our invited speakers and agenda:

 

0. Introduction: Dr. Ping-Yu Chang, (5min.) Professor, National Central University ,Taiwan; Secretary, SDA in Future Earth Taipei

 

1. Dr. Yu-Feng Forrrest Lin (15 min.), Director of   Illinois Water Resources Center; Principal Research Hydrogeologist in Illinois State Geological Survey; Clinical Professor in the Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

 

2. Dr. Andrew Stumpf (15 min.), Principal Research Scientist, Prairie Research Institute in Illinois State Geological Survey; Co-founder of Illinois Geothermal Coalition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

 

3. Ms. Morgan White (15 min.), F&S Associate Director for Sustainability, Interim Director of Capital Programs. 

 

 

4. Mr. Jack Reicherts(15min.), Chair of the Student Board, Illinois Green Fund and Student Sustainibility Committee

 

 

5. Dr. Jui-Pin (Rubin) Tsai (15 min.), Assistant Professor, National Taiwan University

 

6. Q&A time (15 min.).......(I saved 25 min. if we have delayed or further discussion)

 

Thanks for your great helps. Let us anicipate the webinar then!

 

Best regards,

 

Ping-Yu Chang

Secretary, SDA Group in Future Earth Taipei

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

Hi Ping-Yu,

I think it might be better to yield my time to Andy, Morgan and Jack for them to talk 20 minutes each.  If you really want me to speak, I can give a quick introduction to on campus as a living lab concept for 3 minutes.

 

Yu-Feng

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

 

Hi Team,

I would like to initiate our discussion by suggest the workflow of this webinar:

1. Introduction: Ping-Yu (5 min.) – End with our previous and current collaboration as the transition to Yu-Feng
2. Definition of Campus Living Lab: Yu-Feng  (5 min.) – End with UIUC is a perfect testbed as the transition to Morgan
3. UIUC Campus Administration on Sustainability as a Living Lab: Morgan (15-20 min.) – End with the student partnership as the transition to Jack.
4. UIUC Student Actions on Sustainability as a Living Lab: Jack (15-20 min.) – End with geothermal projects as an example for the transition to Andy.
5. Geothermal research development at UIUC: Andy (15-20 min.) – End with current international collaborations with Europe (Powell Center and Groundwater Special Issue), South America (Columbia and Brazil), Japan and Taiwan (as Ping-Yu mentioned in the beginning) as the transition to Jui-Pin.
6. Progress and opportunities in Taiwan, and conclusion: Jui-Pin (15 min.)

 

Please feel free to share your ideas on the workflow, time, contents, and anything else.

 

Yu-Feng F. Lin

The Engagement iCAP Team met on 3/2 to follow up on brainstormed projects and develop first drafts of recommendations. Meeting minutes are attached. 

Project name changed from "HVAC and Air Quality Assessment Pilot Project" to "Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control".