Spring Break
Univ considers utilizing wind energy
by Lital Shair
News | 2/12/08
Posted online at 4:15 AM EST on 2/12/08
/ Last updated at 12:18 AM EST on 2/12/08
The University is currently engaged in negotiations with the city of Waltham to receive permits to erect a $50,000 meteorological tower in Sachar woods that will remain there for one to two years as part of its exploration into renewable energy sources.
According to Brandeis Energy Manager Bill Bushey, data from this tower will be analyzed to see whether wind strength is sufficient to support a wind turbine on campus. The turbine, which would likely be taller than the 160-foot-tall meteorological tower, could cost as much as $3 million, said Bushey, though this is dependent on the size of the turbine and Waltham regulations.
The school is committed to paying for the remaining costs of the tower, said Collins, but "the University is in no way committed at this point in time" to funding a wind turbine. Such a decision would be made after analyzing data from the meteorological tower and determining the economic and financial feasibility of the project, Collins said.
The University has been approved for a $15,000 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which will go toward this investigative process, and will receive the funds once all permits are approved to install the met tower, Vice President for Campus Operations Mark Collins said.
This decision follows University President Jehuda Reinharz's signature of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment last September, in which Brandeis pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
According to statistics from the Brandeis Energy Savings Program Web site, Brandeis consumed approximately 42,000,000 kWs of electricity and just under 250,000 mmBtu's of natural gas in the form of central heating plant gas in fiscal year 2007.
The Commitment, a national initiative coordinated in part by three environmental organizations- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, ecoAmerica and Second Nature-outlines a timeline by which colleges will gradually eliminate greenhouse gases on campus.
According to Brandeis Energy Manager Bill Bushey, data from this tower will be analyzed to see whether wind strength is sufficient to support a wind turbine on campus. The turbine, which would likely be taller than the 160-foot-tall meteorological tower, could cost as much as $3 million, said Bushey, though this is dependent on the size of the turbine and Waltham regulations.
The school is committed to paying for the remaining costs of the tower, said Collins, but "the University is in no way committed at this point in time" to funding a wind turbine. Such a decision would be made after analyzing data from the meteorological tower and determining the economic and financial feasibility of the project, Collins said.
The University has been approved for a $15,000 grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which will go toward this investigative process, and will receive the funds once all permits are approved to install the met tower, Vice President for Campus Operations Mark Collins said.
This decision follows University President Jehuda Reinharz's signature of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment last September, in which Brandeis pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
According to statistics from the Brandeis Energy Savings Program Web site, Brandeis consumed approximately 42,000,000 kWs of electricity and just under 250,000 mmBtu's of natural gas in the form of central heating plant gas in fiscal year 2007.
The Commitment, a national initiative coordinated in part by three environmental organizations- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, ecoAmerica and Second Nature-outlines a timeline by which colleges will gradually eliminate greenhouse gases on campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Fasting
posted 2/22/08 @ 8:31 AM EST
This is a great idea if there is enough wind. Wind power does not contribute to global warming like the burning of fossil fuels does. It would be a good example for other colleges to follow. (Continued…)
Post a Comment