Energy Exchange

Just Do It: Sometimes Jumping In With Both Feet Is The Best Choice To Make

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 29, 2011

By Jen Weiss, 2011 EDF Climate Corps Fellow at Shaw University, MEM Candidate, Nicolas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC

A few weeks ago, I found myself peering over the edge of a forty-two foot platform willing myself to take the leap – to tackle the Mega Jump. Okay, maybe peering is not the right word. I was gripping the side of the platform, looking out over the horizon, and wondering how I had ever gotten convinced to do this given my severe fear of heights. But, there I was. I decided to stop thinking about it. Better to trust that it was all going to work out fine than analyze every detail. I closed my eyes, released my grip, and jumped …

The next moment, I was on the ground. I checked for breaks or cuts – nothing. The only thing I felt was exhilaration – a feeling of success and accomplishment. I had done it. And I had survived.

I get a similar sense of nervous anticipation with energy efficiency. What’s that? You don’t follow my leap? Consider this …

I have just wrapped up my EDF Climate Corps Fellowship at Shaw University in downtown Raleigh. My EDF partner, Eliza, and I have made recommendations that could save the university over $125,000 a year in annual energy savings. And, some of these recommendations come at absolutely no cost:

Power management (sleep mode) for PCs and copiers
Summer setback temperatures for some of the dorms
Upgrading exit signs to LED versions
Upgrading the residence hall’s laundry services to more energy efficient washing machines
Consolidation of office equipment and mini-fridges

A few other recommendations have a small price of admission, but with Progress Energy rebates and very short payback periods, they can be done quickly and savings can be seen within six months:

Install vending misers on all vending machines
Upgrade lighting to more efficient T-8s
Install programmable thermostats (my personal favorite – the savings here are huge!)

Shaw is now standing on the edge of the platform waiting to jump. The eager faces in the audience as Eliza and I presented these recommendations tell me that they have the desire and commitment to make the changes and lead Shaw into sustainability. And they certainly have the experience and knowledge to get it done. The next step is up to them.

At this point, Shaw needs to take a leap of faith. They need to jump off the platform and feel the exhilaration that comes from saving the planet (and saving money). There is absolutely nothing to lose and a tremendous amount to gain. My advice?

Just Do It!

EDF Climate Corps Public Sector (CCPS) trains graduate students to identify energy efficiency savings in colleges, universities, local governments and houses of worship. The program focuses on partnerships with minority serving institutions and diverse communities. Apply as a CCPS fellow, read our blog posts and follow us on Twitter to get regular updates about this program.

Fulfilling The Spelman Legacy: A Choice To Change The World

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 26, 2011

By: Melissa Wise, 2011 Climate Corps Public Sector Fellow at Spelman College; MBA candidate at Keller Graduate School of Management

Here I am back on Spelman’s campus. It’s been eight years since the first time I walked through their gates as a student. I never thought that I’d be back here so soon after graduation, living a dream that I once had out of desperation as a “freshwoman” trying to survive the non-air-conditioned dorms. I had a vision of one day returning to the Spelman community as an Alumna and providing at least one dorm with the air-conditioning that it deserved. It seemed to be a “rite of passage” at Spelman for first-year students to live in non-air-conditioned buildings. Those unbearable long summer seasons in “Hot-lanta” will never be forgotten. So, I vowed that when I became a well-established businesswoman, it would be my gift to the school. Being a fellow with EDF may make that dream come true a little sooner than planned.

Here’s what I’ve learned upon my return:

The Suites, Spelman’s newest dormitory, received a silver-level certification from LEED. This makes it the first of its kind for a residence hall on the campus of a historically Black university.
My office equipment inventory has shown that Spelman uses a very high percentage of Energy Star products including: copiers, fax machines, computers, and monitors. Spelman also has a high percentage of Energy Star vending and snack machines.
Lighting upgrades are well under way from T12 to T8 bulbs, along with many other energy efficient bulb choices.

And the list just goes on at this pioneering institute. Often, I find myself coming across an idea for a possible improvement, just to find out that it has already been considered or underway in future plans. Spelman seems to have it all under control, so I’ll just have to keep on digging! It is definitely hard to find fault behind these gates.

Interesting quotes I frequently hear:

“It’s my choice, and I choose to change the world!” A line from Spelman’s theme song sung by our Glee Club. I hear this song or see this phrase often around campus and in articles on the school website.
“Ahh, touché!” Friendly debates involving opposing views of equipment and upgrades. For example, the campus mechanical “Mr. Fix –it” may feel that a heating/cooling unit needs to be replaced due to its extensive life cycle, while the Automatic Control System guru will say that it’s working just fine. Who is right?
“Hey, who turned out the lights?” The Director of Facilities Management and Services (my supervisor) will randomly make trips to areas around campus during peak demand hours and turn off lights in unoccupied areas.

Choosing to change the world may seem like a difficult task for such a small school, but Spelman is no stranger to leadership and service. Be it students, alumnae, faculty or staff, Spelman is dedicated to serving its community and making choices that will impact many generations to come. I am proud to join the continuous, precious legacy of Spelman’s story that dates back to 1881. Needless to say, this opportunity is a dream come true.

Posted in EDF Climate Corps / Comments are closed

“Enter To Learn. Depart To Serve”

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 25, 2011

By Michelle Williams, 2011 EDF Climate Corps Public Sector Fellow at Winston-Salem State University, MBA, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC

My fellowship brought me to the illustrious institution of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). A two time graduate of WSSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree, I found it an honor to be assigned to my alma mater. The University’s motto, “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve,” is very wise and has a great meaning. Serve (v.), means to be in service of, pay homage, work actively, provide, and help. In other words, to serve could be understood to be a selfless act, thinking not only of yourself but also the betterment/well-being of others. My assignment for the summer was just that.

Efforts to become environmentally aware and practice energy conservation, preservation, and sustainability measures require selfless behavioral acts that positively affect the environment. Individuals consider how they can inspire others to be aware so that generations to come have a healthy environment in which to live. This made me realize that the most important contributor to the success of WSSU’s environmental consciousness would be behavioral change. Of the several projects we recommend, the one most important to me was increasing institutional engagement and educating the faculty/staff and students in hopes to jeer a successful energy conservation movement.

I sought to get the institution excited about energy conservation. Often people fail to participate due to lack of knowledge. Simply informing people about the amount of energy wasted from one light left on and the impact it can cause could result in changes in one’s behavior. Inform, intrigue, engage became the concept behind getting the University involved. Steps to WSSU’s sustainable future:

A constitution to start “Rams Go Green,” an environmental club which is the key aspect to student engagement.
- Mission: To create awareness of environmental issues such as conservation, pollution, and preservation. The organization plans to advance the understanding of responsible environmental behaviors by informing the student body, faculty/staff, and the community on ways to improve our environment.
An outline for “Rams Do it in the Dark,” WSSU’s first environmental dorm war campaign.
Influencing participation in Student Organizational Day to gain awareness of the environmental club.
Catchy flyers that would grab students, faculty, and staff attention and would teach them important ways to be a part of the movement.
“Rams Go Green” Flyer for new students and faculty that includes tips on ways to conserve, preserve, and sustain.
“Set it and Forget it” thermostat policy. The proper thermostat settings can greatly reduce energy consumed.

I entered this journey with minimal knowledge, learning all that I now know along the way. I will depart with optimal energy conservation tactics and hopes that I served my institution proudly.

Posted in EDF Climate Corps / Tagged Winston-Salem State University - 2011 | Comments are closed

The Big Green Apple

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 22, 2011

By Amy Kochanowsky, 2011 EDF Climate Corps Sector Fellow at New York City Housing Authority, MPP candidate at Duke University, Durham, NC

Things are always changing in New York City – whether it’s the former rail line turned urban greenspace, the construction of a new World Trade Center, or the recently added calorie counts on menus. New York has always been a city ahead of the curve, and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is no exception. NYCHA has already done highly innovative work when it comes to energy efficiency, and I’m very fortunate to work with an organization that embraces environmental sustainability objectives.

As one of NYCHA’s Energy Department interns this summer, I’ve seen examples of this innovative work first hand in my visits to housing developments. As I stood in the stifling heat of a NYCHA boiler room, the staff explained the ins and outs of the boiler system – how the boiler creates the steam that delivers heat to residents in winter. They pointed out the new instantaneous hot water heaters, which are devices that reduce energy usage by heating water only as needed instead of wasting energy by storing hot water. It’s great to see all of this equipment up close, and talk to the people who really understand how to operate these systems. Being on the ground gave me an appreciation for the complexity of these heating systems.

At first, seeing this new equipment made it seem as though NYCHA had already done everything possible to reduce its energy use. Working with the other intern, we were given a very intuitive task – our charge for the summer was to identify additional opportunities for energy efficiency and conservation. We started this task with the basics – analyzing current energy consumption and costs. From there we got a sense of how NYCHA uses its energy and where we had the opportunity to make an impact. Reflecting on the information we learned during EDF’s week-long fellowship training, we realized that replacing existing exit signs with more energy efficient LED exit signs would be a good place to start. Simply by replacing exit signs, we enabled NYCHA to save more than $15,000 per year in electricity costs.

Sometimes it’s hard to grasp the enormity of NYCHA. As the nation’s second largest landlord (after the Army), NYCHA provides affordable housing for nearly half a million New Yorkers. The size of NYCHA means that my fellow intern and I have the ability and responsibility to make a huge impact. NYCHA pays the utility bills for residents at its developments, thus reducing energy use is good not only for the climate, but for their budget as well.

I hope our efforts and recommendations help NYCHA to achieve its energy and climate goals. I also hope NYCHA can serve as an example for other public housing authorities across the country on how to reduce energy use and create a more sustainable community.

Posted in EDF Climate Corps / Tagged New York City Housing Authority - 2011 | Comments are closed

Energy Saving: The “ACTION” On Sustainability At Howard University

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 19, 2011

By: Ehizogie Idugboe, 2011 EDF Climate Corps Sector Fellow at Howard University, MBA candidate at Howard University School of Business, Washington DC

As a student at Howard University, I was excited about spending my summer at my Alma Mater in a non-student capacity. I will be working hand-in-hand with the University in implementing green principles and policies that supports its mission to “provide an educational experience of exceptional quality to students, while reducing the institution’s carbon footprint on the environment.” My job helps to identify and analyze energy efficiency/investments opportunities that can reduce the university’s energy use and CO2 emission, while increasing cost savings.

“Sustainability” initiatives at Howard University have improved drastically over the last two years. The College Sustainability Report Card grade has improved from an “F” in 2009 to a “C-” in 2011. While this is a significant change, it is definitely not good enough. Howard has been working relentlessly to reduce its energy use/carbon footprint by utilizing “green building” techniques to improve lighting and HVAC system in several buildings. A few examples of these energy efficient technology improvements include:

Installing heat recovery systems,
Installing lighting sensors in some offices and classrooms,
Switching the old vending machines to energy star approved machines, and
Using renewable energy by installing solar panels for heating domestic water in the gymnasium, including the swimming pool.

As part of its Green building initiative, the institution is currently renovating six buildings under a program named “Extreme Make-Over.” Designs and construction will meet or exceed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building standards, which is an internationally recognized green building certification system. Material that will be used in these buildings will not only be energy efficient, but will be sustainable as well. Upgrades will include improvements to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems in the buildings. Building envelop improvements include: the installation of energy efficient doors and windows along with the installation of a green roof, which will absorb rainwater, provide insulation, create a habitat for wide life, as well as to help lower urban air temperatures and combat the heat island effect.

I am happy to see that my Alma Mater has moved beyond the “talking sustainability stage” to a more active stage in trying to make the campus “greener.” The institution has been taking significant action to ensure that it achieves its sustainability goals by involving students, faculty, and staff in its recycling program and overall participation in the national completion called “Recycle-Mania.” Earth Day is another campus-wide activity intended to create awareness and appreciation for Earth’s natural environment, both on campus and throughout the entire community. This year’s celebration included establishing an organic garden on campus run by students.

I am extremely proud to have contributed to the cause this year. I am looking forward to seeing some of my recommendations included in the Extreme Make-Over project this year. I hope to see Howard University move their Green Report Card grade to an “A” and be included in the top sustainable institutions of higher education in the country, if not the world.

Posted in EDF Climate Corps / Tagged Howard University - 2011 | Read 1 Response

Strength In Numbers: Unifying For Environmental Protection

By EDF Blogs / Published: August 15, 2011

By: Jennifer Morales-Muñoz, 2011 Climate Corps Public Sector Fellow at the University of Texas at Brownsville; MPPM candidate at the University of Texas at Brownsville

As a resident of the Rio Grande Valley in the deep south of Texas, I understand that unification is vital for addressing environmental issues in the region. At every green conference I attend, the message is the same: what happens in Brownsville, Texas, affects the neighboring towns: McAllen, San Benito, and Harlingen. Every environmental win or loss has a domino effect in Texas, for good or bad. Moreover, what happens around the Valley affects my EDF Climate Corps Public Sector site, The University of Texas at Brownsville (UTB), and vice versa.

During my time at UTB this summer, I learned that the university is great at developing and fueling community movements. This can be attributed to its supportive staff and enthusiastic students, who are on board with my energy efficiency recommendations, which include:

Occupancy sensors in hallways, lobbies, and restrooms
Window and skylight replacements
De-lamping vending machines

My ultimate goal was for the community at the university to realize that efforts to improve environmental conditions in the Valley must be shared since we are interconnected. Just as pollution crosses municipal, state, and national boundaries, positive actions and movements to reduce greenhouse gas pollution also flows through these invisible lines.

With unification on my mind, I helped the university’s Sustainability Council develop an outreach event to promote sustainable stakeholders’ practices from around the Valley. The council invited staff from neighboring universities who practice and teach sustainable behaviors. In the past, the council held awareness events promoting energy efficiency, community gardens, recycling, farmer’s markets, and ecotourism. They have also created a Sustainability Trail with signs identifying local wildlife and plants around campus to promote awareness and ecotourism. Also in the works are exciting projects including:

Bringing renewable energy to Brownsville’s campus by installing wind turbines
Developing a campus community garden

UTB’s Sustainability Council has been able to do a lot in a short period of time because of the support and cooperation of the administration and key staff. I believe UTB is proving to the Valley that unification is essential in developing strategic plans to address environmental issues of concern—just as discussed at our regional environmental conferences.

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