Energy
The SSI Energy Group seeks to make energy usage at OSU more sustainable through increases in efficiency, decreases in consumption, and shifts in energy sources.
Current work:
Past work:
2013:
Campus Conservation Nationals
The Campus Conservation Nationals is the largest national water and electricity reduction competition which allows thousands of students across different campuses to be involved and reduce consumption. The SSI has signed OSU up again and are looking to the students to help participate. The main competition will be held in the residential halls, in collaboration with RecycleMania and Campuses Take Charge. For more information on these events, please look for more updates or our listserv posts.
2012:
Biofuels Research Center
In an effort to continue pushing the envelope of sustainable scientific research at OSU, the SSI instigated an investigation into the possibility of creating a center for biofuels research at OSU. The investigation was eventually picked up by the university, and as of May 2012 was exploring the potential of creating a public-private partnership to spearhead the project.
Energy Civil War
The Energy Civil War is a competition between OSU and U of O. A week prior to the Civil War game, students at each school will compete to conserve and create their own energy in each Rec Center by powering 10 ReRev machines. Students can also participate in a social media sustainability discussion held on the SSI's Facebook and Twitter! Also, different organizations/clubs on campus will sponsor certain machines through our adopt-a-machine program, which helps us meet our goal of beating Oregon and powering the grid at Dixon.
Building Energy Challenge
The building energy challenge was a competition in February where buildings and residence halls on campus competed to reduce their consumption of electricity. The residence hall part of the competition is tied to the larger event Campus Conservation Nationals that is working to have schools around the country work together to reduce consumption by a gigawatt. Buildings and halls work to decrease their energy consumption by a percentage based on their own baseline. Events tied to the competition included a The Energy Demand is Right event and an awards party.
Net Zero
A collaboration between the SSI and the Sustainability Office, Net Zero was a campaign to create and establish buy-in for a more aggressive stance on OSU's energy consumption - a stance that would commit the instition to a net zero energy increase.
2011
Energy Civil War
The first big project of the year was the Energy Civil War. This is an event that ran the entire week leading up to the Civil War football game and was hosted by Dixon Rec. The event consisted of a completion between UO and OSU by using the ReRev equipped elliptical machines to monitor how much energy each university can produce. This was the second year that the event took place. The University of Oregon won both years by a very small margin.
2007
Solar Trailer
The Solar Trailer is a portable trailer that captures and stores solar energy. Its purpose is to demystify and promote alternative energy systems, specifically photovoltaics. The device will power outdoor events on campus, including concerts and occasionally powers portions of community events such as the Da Vinci Days festival and Oregon Country Fair. The SSI provided project funding in addition to the over $20,000 received in product donations and discounts (RJH Enterprises, Outback Power, Smith Glass, MK Battery, Wattsun, Abundant Solar, Freebird Body and Paint).
Final design specifications:
- 1.8 kW solar array
- 4,000 Amp hours battery storage (approximately six hours at full load, not including charging capacity)
- Two grid interactive inverters capable of outputting 7.2 kW (60 Amps @ 120 Volt or 30 Amps @ 240 Volt)
- Dual axis sun tracker
- Expandable, fold out array
- Mechanical lift moves array into sun tracking position
Contact: Brandon Trelstad
The Solar Trailer is a great addition to events and gatherings; it not only provides electricity but also does a favor for the environment by providing 100% renewable energy! We are not currently providing the trailer for private or closed events. If you are interested in having the trailer at an event, you may request it by submitting a Solar Trailer Request Form.
Supporters of the project included:
- OSU Student Sustainability Initiative (project funding)
- RJH Enterprises (Corvallis fabricator provided a discounted shop rate and significant design support)
- Outback Power (100% donation of inverters, charge controllers, system controller, OCF camping and homebrew)
- Abundant Solar (discounted solar installation)
- Smith Glass (discounted glass installation)
- MK Battery (discounted products)
- Wattsun (discounted products)
- Freebird Body and Paint (discounted services)
- Susie Philipsen (logo design donation)
Student Takes Solar Trailer on Road Trip (OSU News and Communication Services)
