September 23, 2009

Today: Energy Day

The West Lafayette campus saves on energy costs and environmental impact by operating its own combined heat and power utility plant. It's much cheaper than buying all of the University's electricity from the utility grid due to the plant's ability to co-generate electricity at the same time it creates steam for heating and cooling.

To be in a position to best utilize alternative fuel sources, employees will be installing a new co-firing capable circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler that can operate with such products as wood waste, switchgrass, and byproducts of ethanol and corn syrup processing. The new boiler joins the plant's existing CFB, Boiler No. 5, and will be replacing the almost 50-year-old Boiler No. 1. 

The new boiler will allow the plant to reduce emissions substantially and expand its capability to accommodate alternative fuels, while at the same time continuing to supply affordable and reliable utilities to the campus.

A student competition in Shreve, Earhart, McCutcheon, Harrison, and First Street Apartments began today to see which residence hall reduces its electrical consumption by the highest percentage per occupant. The competition is sponsored by Housing and Food Services and Physical Facilities, in cooperation with the Boiler Green Initiative. McCutcheon Hall won the competition for the 2008 Green Week.

The competition began at  midnight and runs through 11:59 p.m. today. A traveling trophy will be presented to representatives of the winning residence hall during the Sustainability Showcase Friday afternoon in the Purdue Armory.

Green 101: An Introduction to Sustainability

Green 101 teaches participants about green concepts, key environmental issues facing firms, and the components of sustainability.  It is a part of a larger Green Enterprise Development training suite designed for manufacturers and others interested in learning how to apply sustainable environmentally friendly practices into the workplace.  More information may be found at www.tap.purdue.edu/energy.

 
TODAY'S EVENTS:

* Tour of Wade Utility Plant Tours will be available at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Sign up online.
- Tour of Purdue's own combined heat and power facility that supplies all of the steam and chilled water to campus as well as half the electricity. Wade Utility Plant: www.purdue.edu/utilityplant/

* Campus Initiatives Panel 10-11 a.m. PMU Terrace Room
- This panel will discuss energy efficiency initiatives on campus including campus utility metering, building retro-commissioning, qualified energy savings projects and green building programs.

* College of Agriculture Lunchtime Seminar. Noon-1 p.m. Deans Auditorium, Pfendler Hall.
- "Energy and Climate Change:  Economic and Policy Issues" with Dr. Wally Tyner, Department of Agricultural Economics.

* Green 101: An Introduction to Sustainability 1:30-4:30 p.m. POTR 234 (Fu Room).
- Purdue's Technical Assistance Program will host a mini version of their Green Worker training program.

* Sustainable Land Use: Smart Growth and Permaculture Design for Home & Community. 6:30-7:30 p.m. West Lafayette Public Library Elm Room (second floor).
- Smart Growth for Communities: Bob McCormick will introduce the 10 principles of smart growth and how they can be implemented in Indiana. Also several smart growth examples here in Indiana will be discussed.
- Permaculture Design for the Home: Brent Ladd will present the basic concepts behind Permaculture and provide examples of how this approach can create a more sustainable home and backyard environment.

Additional resources:

* Visit the Wade Power Plant for today's Daily Utility Expenses.

* Wade Utility Production Information

* Housing & Food Services Green Week

* University Residences Green