RPI Sustainability Charrette April 17-18, 2009 Team Pollution Mike Allard, Ahu Aydogan, Kandall Baldwin, Anna Dyson, Kevin Luczak, Lisa Muscanell, Nat.

RPI Sustainability CharretteApril 17-18, 2009

Team Pollution

Mike Allard, Ahu Aydogan, Kandall Baldwin, Anna Dyson, Kevin Luczak, Lisa Muscanell, Nat Springer, Jason Vollen

Overview1. Visual Indicators of Residence Hall Water

Consumption 2. Utilization of Cogeneration3. Local DC Grid Powered by Renewable Energy

Sources4. Greening ResLife 5. Sustainability Programming6. RPI Center for Human Physiology and Energy

Capture7. Green Bank

1. Indicators for Water Usage in Showers Colored Visual / Verbal indicators / cues that measures

and expresses amount of water being used in gallons, energy being used for hot water, time in the shower

Immediate return from direct behavioral changes Could potentially increase awareness of impact of

everyday behavior amongst student population Cost of innovation and implementation could be high May need to be driven by outside entrepreneur Possible system could be developed to put quota on

amount of water per student per use; charges would go to sustainability fund via ID card

Goal: Each student living in RPI residences is limited to a 20 minute shower to reduce water consumption without paying

2. Cogeneration with Boilers Plans for utilizing cogeneration on campus

were made in 1990, but were turned down to cost-effectiveness

Cogeneration can still be used in many locations on campus

The heat released from the inefficiency of systems, such as the boiler system, introduces opportunity to directly apply it or to convert it to energy, electricity or direct application

3. RPI shift to energy self-sufficiency: pros Economic Benefit to RPI as local power generator Tax and Stimulus Incentives and reduce initial cost to

provide fast ROI Takes Troy off National Grid lowers residents costs Less transmission losses through Test bed case gives RPI International Recognition We already research wind, solar, and grid Offsets high carbon footprint further leveraging local /

regional carbon credits Its free to form a university / local gov’t committee to

explore feasibility and provide cost feedback analysis Low-tech compared to other grid technologies Promotes large scale significant change

3. RPI shift to energy self-sufficiency: cons Long term planning required Local gov’t buy-in required Original investment ROI is difficult to predict

due to changes in energy costs Requires new infrastructure which may be

disruptive to RPI/Troy

4. Greening Residence Life Working off of current ResLife Program RA / RD in dormitories provide sustainability

programs RA / RD / LA receive sustainability training in August

/ January as part of their other training in safety, peer mentoring, CPR training etc.

Positions offer students certification in LEED or equivalent – highly recommended for position

Serve as direct advisers for Eco-Hall Challenge “Green Rules” implemented in dorms (i.e. water

reduction and heat conservation) Goal: Incorporate education, awareness, and

lifestyle changes into residence life experience

5. Sustainability Programming - ResLifeIn junction with ResLife LA / Social programming already

implemented Organized group field trips to local sustainable companies (ie

Ecovative), cogeneration plants at landfills, farmers markets Panel session incorporating guests from ESW, Ecologic, SSTF,

Sustainability and Design course students, Professors researching sustainably, environmental educator (analagous to health educator on campus)

LEED certification (incorporate into PD1-PD3 classes) Eco-Hall sessions to brainstorm implementation ideas for

competitive learning and making informed lifestyle decisions Promoting awareness of on campus resources, clubs, initiatives,

centers, websites through social networking Utilize resources from environmental educator in the Sustainability

Office Goal: to increase and improve sustainability as part of a lifestyle

living at RPI

4. & 5. Greening Residence Life: ImpactsEnvironmentalEase of energy cutbacks in dormitories has been shown

through EcoHall Challenge to make a difference

EconomicalLess energy consumption directly relates to lesser

costs

CulturalBehavioral ChangesRPI would be first in country to have LEED certification

offered for all first year students in residence halls and a unique RA / RD / LA program

Greening ResLife

Sustainability at Rensselaer, SSTF

Project 6: Capturing Human Energy Research Initiative Focus on technologies that capture energy

from human motion, movement, exercise, and athletics

Partner with Mueller Center to test and showcase ideas and innovations

Also potential carbon footprint reduction of campus exercise facilities

Stakeholders

Potential departmental research Mechanical, electrical, PDI group,

cognitive science, physics Athletics/Mueller Center Private investors/product development

Potential Energy Gains

Mueller Center Energy Use Between 900 and 1500 KWH/day

Human energy use per machine– 150 watts/hour average person (100 – 500

wH/range)

Impact and Implementation

• Short-term: purchase existing technology for energy reduction

• Long-term: New green technological research focus at RPI

• Implimentation– Survey departments for current research

tied to this area of focus– Use sustainabilty center

• To generate student/faculty interest• Work with Mueller center for implimentation

Project 7: Green Bank Inflow

Student Sustainabilty Fee Alumni Donations Energy efficiency 'credits' for on-campus

improvements Capital re-investment program

Outflow Sustainability Projects Sustainability Center/Professional

Flow diagram

Stakeholders

Students Alumni and Alumni Outreach Financial Operations Sustanability Center/Coordinator Green capital project leaders

Student Sustainability Fee $5/semester = $60,000 year $50/semester = $600,000 year Stakeholders

Students Campus community

Impact Short-term way to raise funds for green

projects Cost-benefit analysis of different size fees Positive environmental and social impact

Implementation Require as part of enrollment Invest specifically in visible capital projects

for student body Costs

Student backlash for tuition hike/mantitory fee

Payback Community visibility/self-involvment in

green projects and culture Consistent flow of funds for green projects

Green Endowment Alumni can 'tag' funds for sustainable

projects Stakeholders

Endowment administrators Alumni Relations Alumni

Impact: All positives on triple-bottom-line Implementation:

Market in alumni communications Cost: minimal Payback: large

Energy Efficiency/Green Capital Investment “Credits” Savings (rents) from energy-efficiency

improvements and capital projects flow back into fund

Impact: Create incentive for sustainable practices

if 'double-dividend' is promised for reinvestment of savings

Accounting for economic sustainablity of green campus projects

Implementation Develop framework for separate accounting

of sustainable projects Develop plan for expected payback Costs:

Cannot spend savings to reduce tuition, increase salaries, general endowment, etc.

Payback Multiplier effect on sustainability projects Institutionalize framework of assessing

triple-bottom line in campus projects

Outflow: Sustainable Projects

Bank can 'lend' money for sustainablity projects

Accept proposals from campus clubs, individual departments, operations, etc.

Spent in large capital projects with intention of expanding long-term bank endowment

Work in concert with sustainability center to make sure funds are really going toward sustainable projects

Implementation Create link between financial operations and

sustainability center/coordinator Develop framework for proposal submission,

metrics, and acceptance Costs: Administrative costs for set-up,

maintenance Payback

Short-term: small fund from sustainabilty fee

Medium-term: energy efficiency improvements

Long-term: large capital projects