Energy
Assessment | Conservation | Renewable
On-site Renewable Energy
SSI Solar Trailer
The OSU Student Sustainability Initiative's Solar Trailer is a portable device that captures and stores solar energy. Its purpose is to demystify and promote alternative energy systems, specifically photovoltaic energy, and provide a renewable, portable power supply. It was designed by OSU students and constructed in 2007, with donations from several local businesses.
The device provides electricity to campus and community outdoor events such as Earth Week, the Beaver Community Fair, da Vinci Days, Fall Festival and Oregon Country Fair. Because of its robust battery system, the Solar Trailer can power 120V loads 20 amps (or lower) for a number of hours, even at night. Power duration for large loads is extended during the day, and most small loads can be powered indefinitely.
In June 2009, the Solar Trailer was put to the test in charging a campus visitor's Tesla Roadster. Even with this larger-than-average load, the Trailer (and Tesla) performed flawlessly, illustrating that transportation fuels can be renewable too.
Need visible, renewable, portable energy for your event? The OSU Solar Trailer may be available.
Photovoltaic
A 2.4 kilowatt photovoltaic system was installed on the Kelley Engineering Building during its construction in 2004. While this relatively small system provides a fraction of the power this large commercial building needs, it demonstrates the feasibility and output of solar resources in the Willamette Valley. OSU plans to install more photovoltaic systems as funding becomes available.
In February 2009, OSU participated in a system-wide Oregon University System solar site assessment. The purpose of this assessment was to determine the potential solar resources at the seven institutions comprising OUS, with the intent to invite private funding to construct, own and operate photovoltaic systems on OUS campuses. It is anticipated that this process will be ongoing through 2009.
Exercise Equipment
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OSU is one of the first universities to harness human energy generated by workout routines and put it onto the electrical grid. Using a new technology developed by a company in St. Petersburg, Fla., called ReRev.com, LLC, OSU has retrofitted 22 elliptical exercise machines in its student funded Dixon Recreation Center. As of March 2009, this is the largest installation of its kind in the world. The system uses two inverters to convert direct current (DC) generated in the elliptical exercise machines to alternating current (AC) used by the building's electrical system. Each machine can generate up to 400 watts with the user at a full sprint. More realistic output is expected to be 25-100 watts sustained. |
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The project was coordinated by the OSU Sustainability Office and the Recreational Sports Department, and funded from the OSU student incidental fees committee, the Energy Trust of Oregon and Recreational Sports. Additional technical and logistical support was received from Pacific Power. Read more on Ecologue, the OSU sustainability blog.
Solar Hot Water
With grant money from Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the Recreational Sports Department and the Sustainability Office are collaborating to install a large hot water solar system on Dixon Recreation Center. The system is currently in the scoping and exploration phase. It will heat the pools and possibly provide some domestic hot water. Installation is planned for 2009. More information will be posted here as it is available.
Off-site Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy Certificate Purchase
OSU purchases a large amount of renewable energy certificates (RECs or green tags), equivalent to about 75% of campus electrical consumption. A student fee of $8.50/student/term, approved April 27, 2007 during the general election, supplies funding for this purchase.
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Following a campaign led by ASOSU Environmental Affairs, the student population approved the fee with 70% of voting students voting in favor. The campaign consisted of a fall 2006 survey revealing that 68% of students supported a fee, followed by a winter term petition collecting signatures to include a renewable energy question on the spring general election ballot. Over 1,700 students signed the petition in just a few days. |
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The US Environmental Protection Agency has recognized OSU for outstanding leadership in renewable energy use. In October 2008, Andrea Norris, who, as a student, led the campaign for the renewable energy fee and now works in Campus Recycling, accepted on OSU's behalf a Green Power Leadership Award in Denver, Colorado.
OSU is currently the 4th largest college or university purchaser of renewable energy in the nation. It is also designated the PAC-10 Conference Champion in renewable energy purchases, and is a member of the Green Power Leadership Club. The sources for OSU's renewable energy include approximately 40% wind, 40% biogas and 20% biomass and are all Green-e certified.
Non-students can donate to help increase our purchase from 75% of campus consumption to our goal of 100%. Students can also use this method if they wish to donate more than the $8.50 per term fee.
Additionally, OSU's green tags provider, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, is making a special offer of discounted green tags for OSU students, faculty, staff, and affiliates. A promotional code is required to get the 20% discount. Contact us to get your promo code, then purchase your green tags in your desired amount.