Presented at 2013 Smart & Sustainable Conference as part of Strategic Renewable Energy workshop on April 15, 2013.

1. UVM’S COMPREHENSIVE CAMPUS RENEWABLE
ENERGYFEASIBILITYSTUDY
A project sponsored by

2. • The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) is a
student green fund, sustained by a self-
imposed student fee of $10 per student
per semester.
• The CEF is designed to advance
renewable energy: Research,
Education, and Infrastructure on
campus.
• Fund generates $225,000 per year.

3. CEF Projects
 Equine Center Solar PV system
 Solar Hot Water System @ UVM
 Aiken Solar Trackers
 Energy Auditing & Retrofitting
Course
 University-wide Energy Display
System
 Virtual Carport course
 Solar Power & Smart Grid Research
 Biomass Feasibility Study for Trinity
Campus
 Clean Energy Fund Implementation
and Education Program
 Comprehensive Campus Renewable
Energy Feasibility Study
 Green Labs Program
 Clean Energy Internship Program
 Clean Energy Futures Lecture/
Workshop Series
 Vermont’s Energy Future Lecture
Series (2011)
 Climate Action Seminar (2012)
 Organic Solar Cells Fabricated by
UVM Students
 Greenhouse Solar (structural &
electrical study)
 Pilot Revolving Door Installation
(architectural study)
 Virtualized Desktop Computer Lab in
Kalkin
 Ecological Food & Renewable
Energy Systems Greenhouse
 CleanSpeed: A Zero-Emissions
Vehicle
 Compost Power: Using Compost
Power to heat a G

4. How significant a role can campus-based
renewable energy play in UVM’s
progress towards carbon neutrality?

5. • The Comprehensive Renewable Energy
Feasibility Study (CCREFS) was
proposed in Fall 2010 and awarded
funding in Spring 2011.
• The RFP was released in Winter 2012:
• 15 firms were interested in the
project and some worked together to
submit a proposal.
• 9 firms submitted proposals.
• 3 firms interviewed and presented
their proposals.
• Clough, Harbour, & Associates (CHA)
was selected to conduct the project in
Summer 2012.
• The goal: Recommendations for optimal
renewable energy site locations on the
University’s campus and provide on-site
green job opportunity.

6. Project Deliverables
① A strategic campus renewable energy
plan that includes an assessment of
the opportunities for selected
renewable energy technologies.
② A map of all potential installation
locations.
③ Student intern involvement in the
project.

7. Feasibility Study
• A campus strategic renewable energy plan that
included an assessment of the opportunities for
the following renewable energy technologies:
• Solar (thermal and photovoltaic)
• Wind (ground mounted and building
integrated)
• Geothermal
• Biofuels and Biomass
• Fuel cells
• Provide an overall maximum capacity of
renewable energy potential of the UVM
campus. Recommendations can be phased to
accommodate successive carbon neutrality
goals.
• Determine the most appropriate renewable
energy technologies for the University’s
geographic location, and climatic conditions.
• Identify the optimal location of these
technologies.
The following criteria formed the basis of
the analysis conducted over the summer by
CHA and UVM student interns:
• Site orientation and conditions,
including meteorology
• State and local regulatory
requirements
• Costs related to installation and
operation
• Existing utility infrastructure
• Proximity to utility connection
• Historical, archeological and/or
culturally significant buildings and
sites

8. Renewable Energy Potential Map
Interns
surveyed each
building site
and open
ground sites on
campus.
Google Earth view of Athletic Campus solar potential. Drawings of potential roof mounted solar PV.

9. CEF Summer Internship
• The Office of Sustainability hired five interns
on behalf of the Clean Energy Fund to observe,
document, and analyze two CEF-funded
projects for an average of 8-10 hours per week:
① installation of a 32 kW solar PV system
at the Miller Research Farm’s Ellen A.
Hardacre Equine Center and,
② Comprehensive Campus Renewable
Energy Feasibility Study.
• Three students served as the technical team.
They performed site surveys for the feasibility
study. Technical interns worked with CHA at
least one day per week.
• Two students served as the communications and
outreach team:
① The media intern filmed, edited and
produced videos on the project.
② The outreach intern collected
information and produced PR materials
on the implementation of CCREFS over
the duration of the project.
• Interns’ Majors: Electrical Engineering, Civil
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental
Sciences, Community Development & Applied
Economics/Communications.
“Working with a small team allowed for
more understanding between members.
It provided a good experience for finding
one’s place in a team environment,
being open to others ideas and critiques,
and contributing to a greater whole.”
- Richard P. Smith III, Class of 2013

10. Education &
Professional
Development
Outcomes
Internship Deliverables:
① Bi-weekly blog
posts on OoS
website of
experience
② 2-3 pg. reflection
on internship
experience
③ 2-3 pg. draft PR
narrative describing
the project
④ Presentation on
internship
experience
⑤ Produce 6 short
online videos on
project (Media
Intern).
Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility
Study-The Survey Process video on Vimeo at:
http://vimeo.com/uvmsustain/cef-ccrefs-survey
“I believe the most valuable skill I am taking away from
this internship is a new understanding of professional
development… I see this internship as a bridge connecting
the skills I have acquired in college with what I can offer a
future employer.”
- Kierstin Wall, Class of 2013

11. Executive Summary of Study
• Solar Photovoltaic installations optimal
on:
• A total of 66 buildings,
• 3 ground mount sites, and
• 29 parking lots.
• Anaerobic Digestion optimal for:
• Conversion of the excess methane into
a Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) fuel
for vehicle use.
• Biomass Energy is not optimal unless
certain funding and fuel supply conditions
are met.
• CHP/Cogeneration is not optimal.
• Fuel cells is not optimal.
• Geothermal heating and cooling should be
explored on 11 sites.
• Solar thermal optimal for sites that have
hot water demand in the summer.
• Wind energy is not optimal.

12. Learn more at:
www.uvm.edu/sustain/cef

13. Breakout Group
① Once the findings and plan are completed, how
can we sustain the momentum?
② What are the biggest obstacles on your campus to
deploying clean/renewable energy generation
sources (each group then ranks the top three)?
• What can you do to overcome those obstacles?