The US Department of Energy estimates that wind in the Dakotas alone could meet two-thirds of America's electricity needs; Texas could meet the other third.
about green energy initiatives of other universities


Carnegie Mellon University

Five percent of Carnegie Mellon’s power now comes from wind power. The university made the commitment to pay for the additional 2 cents per kilowatt-hour that 100% wind power costs. To learn more check out: http://www.cmu.edu/epc

Connecticut College

In 2001, students started a club, the Connecticut College Renewable Energy Club, to encourage the university to buy a percentage of its power from green sources. They raised the $1,500 to join a green power co-op, which offers 100% Green-e certified renewable energy. This group also earned enough support from students to implement an additional $25 student fee to support the extra cost of the green energy. Their goal is that Connecticut College will purchase 20% of their energy from renewable sources this year. Connecticut College’s website: http://www.conncoll.edu

Penn State

In October of 2001, Penn State decided to purchase 13.2 million kilowatt hours (kWh) annually, which is the output of over three giant 215-foot tall windmills. With this purchase Penn State will become the second largest user of retail wind energy in the US! To learn more check out: http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/windmills.html

University of California: San Diego

A student group named Green UCSD held a Green Energy fair in 1999 to raise awarness and to educate the community about green energy issues. They also hoped to obtain 2000+ signatures to encourage the administration to build all new buildings using the most advanced energy technologies and to incorporate solar energy. UCSD's website: http://www.ucsd.edu/

University of Colorado

In 2000, a group of students got something put on their student ballot asking if students supported a $1 increase in student fees per semester for four years to purchase the power from one wind turbine (2 million kWh per year.) Students overwhelming passed this initiative by a margin of 5 to 1!! Students advertised the issue all over campus and even set up a miniature wind farm with pinwheels to grab other student’s attention. Another group of students, named Generation Green, has successfully campaigned students, faculty and staff of the university to conserve energy with the slogan: “Turn off the juice, when not in use!” To learn more check out: http://www.colorado.edu/ecenter

University of Oregon

The university’s Ecological Design Center (EDC), which is a student organization, was awarded $100,000 to install Photovoltaic Panels. They are also working to raise more money to support more solar panels and to at least double the $100,000 by receiving a matching grant from the University Corporate Foundation with the slogan “Buy a panel, Build a Future!” To learn more check out: http://www.uoregon.edu

University of Pennsylvania

In 2001, the University of Pennsylvania system committed to buying 75% of the power produced annually by a combined 24-megawatt wind farm. This purchase will give the system 5% of its power, and is the largest retail wind energy purchase in the nation. University of Pennsylvania's website: http://www.upenn.edu/

University of Vermont

A group of students, faculty, and staff joined together to form the UVM Environmental Council, which has installed PV cells capable of generating 5 kWh of electricity at the eight schools and universities, which are members of this university system. For real time data and other student projects: http://uvm.edu/~solar

University of Vermont Environmental Council

Wesleyan University

November 2001, Wesleyan joined the Connecticut Energy Cooperative and agreed to purchase 100% Green-e certified renewable electricity for one building, which uses approximately 10% of the campus’s yearly total electricity. Students raised the $1,500 to join the Co-op through back sales in only 3 weeks! Wesleyan's website: http://www.wesleyan.edu/

Oberlin College

Oberlin College has committed to become “climate neutral” by the year 2020. The project, named Project 2020 is being carried out by the Rocky Mountain Institute and will include a detailed audit of the university among other things. Features of the university’s environmental studies building includes a roof covered completely with solar panels and a living machine on-site, which cleans and treats waste among other advanced environmentally friendly technologies. To learn more check out: http://www.oberlin.edu/~envs/2020proj/home.htm

Swathmore College

Are buying 2.5% of their energy from wind power paid for through conservation efforts by the university. For more info: http://www.swarthmore.edu/news/releases/02/wind.html

Other Pennsvannia schools
Slideshow by Engineering Professor at Swarthmore on Wind Energy

 
calendar

Feb. 7th - Green Energy Festival (Polk Place, 10am-2pm)

Feb. 8th - VOTE YES! studentcentral.unc.edu
 

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Email: greenenergy@unc.edu