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  1. Fall Congress ‘Circular Food Systems’ Ongoing

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress

    Because of the continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, iSEE transformed iSEE Congress Fall 2021, “Circular Food Systems,” into an online format. Congress became a series of one-hour Zoom webinars in October and November.

    The eighth iSEE Congress returns to the topic of feeding the world: providing a safe, secure supply of food and fuel to an ever-increasing human population using agricultural practices that are ecologically sustainable and adaptable to climate change. Speakers were invited to offer cutting-edge thinking about advancing the sustainability of our agricultural and food systems. The sessions:

    • Oct. 19: “21st Century Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture,” featuring Ken Cassman, the Robert B. Daugherty Emeritus Professor of Agronomy at the University of Nebraska; and Girish Chowdhary, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Computer Science at Illinois.
    • Oct. 27: “Transforming Food Systems for a Circular Economy,” co-sponsored and co-hosted by the Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (C-FARE) and endorsed by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Speakers included Bruno Basso, MSU Foundation Professor of Crop Modeling and Land Use Sustainability, Michigan State University; James Jones, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Systems Modeling, University of Florida; Charles Rice, Distinguished Professor of Soil Microbiology, Kansas State University; and David Zilberman, Robinson Chair and Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Berkeley.
    • Nov. 3: “How Can We Reduce Waste from Agricultural and Food Systems?” featuring Brian Roe, Van Buren Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, Ohio State University; and Tom Theis, Professor of Civil, Materials & Environmental Engineering and Director of the Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago.
    • Nov. 9: “Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products,” featuring Thomas Trabold, Research Professor at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Yuanhui Zhang, Founder Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Illinois.

    More details on the Congress webpage. And, see the attached file for the iQ Fall 2021 to read this article in its original form.

    Attached Files: 

  3. Illinois EPA and UIUC @ "Introduce Online Curriculum Focusing on Energy"

    Associated Project(s): 
    Educate Future Leaders
    Support Regional Sustainability

    Attached is the link to the UIUC's participation and the Illinois e-News Release. 

    https://pathways.mste.illinois.edu/curriculum/energy

     

    Illinois e-News Release

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    November 9, 2021                                Contact: Kim Biggs
                                                                  217-558-1536
                                                                  Kim.Biggs@illinois.gov

    Illinois EPA and University of Illinois at Introduce Online Curriculum Focusing on Energy

    Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest to Follow Unit

    SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Office for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE) have again partnered to create a new online science curriculum unit for fifth and sixth grade educators: How does a bulb light? The unit helps students explore energy, electricity use, and power sources and how they relate to climate change. The Illinois EPA’s Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest theme “Get Energized About Slowing Down Climate Change!” will follow the new curriculum.

    Educators, parents, and caregivers are asked to introduce these topics using the newly developed free, online curriculum. The unit is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Following the unit, students are asked to create posters or written works for the Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest related to the theme’s focus. Entries must be submitted to the Illinois EPA by February 1, 2022. Additional information on the Contest can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/education/contest/Pages/default.aspx.

    “Educators and students have faced numerous challenges as they have adapted to hybrid, remote, and in-classroom learning. It is our hope these virtual opportunities allow students to continue to grow their knowledge of the environment and the importance of protecting it,” said Illinois EPA Director John Kim. “This year’s unit is especially relevant to current events related to climate change, and we are excited to see it translated to pieces of art and written work for the upcoming Contest.”

    How does a bulb light? will help students investigate the everyday phenomenon of an electric light turning on. Students will observe two strings of LED lights turn on, one being powered by battery and the other by plugging into a wall outlet. Students will record their observations and “wonderings,” which will drive the flow of the unit as students plan and carry out their own investigations to answer their questions. This will include investigating electricity production and delivery, when and how to conserve, and recent and future changes in the energy system, including changes in transportation energy demands. The curriculum is available online to teachers and parents at https://pathways.mste.illinois.edu/curriculum/energy. 

    Illinois EPA is proud to again partner with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Office of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education to expand the Environmental Pathways curriculum. Earlier units developed through this partnership include “Where does my food go?” and “Why is the pond green?,” which can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/education/Pages/pathways.aspx.

    Information about all of Illinois EPA’s environmental education programs can be found at: https://www2.illinois.gov/epa/topics/education/Pages/default.aspx, or by contacting Kristi Morris, Environmental Education Coordinator for the Illinois EPA by email at Kristi.Morris@illinois.gov.

    Attachments

     

  4. Zero Waste iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Achieve Zero Waste
    Zero Waste iCAP Team
    Establish a Net Zero Waste Plan and Policy
    Zero Waste Recommendations Summary

    The Zero Waste iCAP Team met on Thursday, November 11 to review some data related to vending machine quantities and pouring operations, analyze the initiatives of some other universities, and begin discussing our campaign strategy. As some initial steps, the team devised some questions for a campuswide survey on drinking water behavior and discussed a recommendation to begin tracking drinking water filter stations on campus. Meeting minutes are attached.

    Attached Files: 

  5. STARS award finalists

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS)
    Apply for Recognition
    Solar Farm 2.0
    NRES 285: iCAP Sustainability Ambassadors

    The University of Illinois has two submittals that are recognized as finalists for the 2021 Sustainability Awards:

    More information can be found at https://www.aashe.org/news/meet-the-2021-sustainability-award-finalists/. 

  6. Illini Union Green Team Fall Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Participate in Regional Green Teams

    Notes from Illini Union Green Team fall meeting include:

    - Raneeta Mack, specialist in social media from Illini Union's marketing team, has joined the Illini Union Green Team. 

    - Planning/outreach plan for Earth Week has been dropped into "Earth Week Planning" Teams file folder.

    - Izabel Carmen will attend next Student Sustainability Committee Board meeting on 11/19/21, 1PM to speak to the Earth Week programming and coordination. 

    Attached Files: 

  7. Sustainability Sub-Council Meeting 11/10/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Clean Energy Plan
    Rainwater Management
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    Land and Water Recommendations Summary
    Vet Med Parking Lot Re-Design

    The Sustainability Sub-Council met on November 10, 2021 in preparation of the Sustainability Council meeting. The primary agenda items included: 

    • iCAP 2020 process reminder
    • Energy007 Comprehensive Energy Planning Document 
    • LW002 and Rainwater Funding Issues
    • Sustainability priorities and next steps

    The slide deck is attached with meeting minutes to follow.

    Attached Files: 

  9. Dhruv and Ali provided the following answers to Sterling with SafeTraces

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy-Efficient HVAC Infection Control

     --------------------------------------------------------------------

    This is an example of what the format used below.

    Q#: What is the answer to this question?

    A#: This is the answer to that question.

     --------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    Dhruv and Ali provided the following answers to Sterling with SafeTraces:

     

     

    Q1: Please provide PDFs of the full floor plan layout drawings for the entire building. Be sure to include 
    square footage for each room and common areas. It is also very important to identify operable windows, if any? 

    A1: Floor plans with room areas attached. 
    Following files are attached for floor plans 
    B0300-01-11X17 Astronomy Building-(1st floor plan)-2021 
    B0300-02-11X17 Astronomy Building-(2nd Floor plan)-2021 
    (current/anticipated occupancy assumptions would be helpful) 

     

    Q2: What are the Astronomy Building's normal hours of operation?

    A2: Monday to Friday (0800 hrs-1700 hrs.). Saturday and Sunday the building is locked. 

     

    Q3: What is the air filtration rating for the spaces?

    A3: MERV :: HEPA Filters at AHU, currently MERV-13. 

     

    Q4: What is the Make/Model, age, specs and replacement/upgrade history of the existing HVAC system?

    A4: Original AHU from 1990, Trane Model 41A, Serial K89H24684. Original AHU equipment schedule attached. AHU controls originally pneumatic, upgraded to DDC (Siemens) in 2016 to allow occupancy schedules to be implemented. Zone level (VAVs) are still pneumatic.  I believe the fume hoods are only energized when in use.  Heating in the building is hot water radiators and hot water VAV reheat (no heating coil at AHU) fed from hot water boilers. 30% glycol cooling coil in AHU, fed from air cooled chiller on site. 

     

    Q5: What is the Make/Model and full specifications of the portable air purifiers expected to be used or are being used in the building? 

    A5: I don’t believe any portable air purifiers are currently in use. 

     

    Q6: Please identify all HVAC zones in the drawings. (Note: This is a command, not a question)

    A6: See zone map drawings Paul sent previously. Please review the attached file 
    CC-0300_09_V-700_RCX-Astronomy Building-Zones plan-AHU-EFU-2017 

     

    Q7: How many air-changes per hour is the HVAC system currently providing?

    A7: Will vary from room to room based on VAV damper position, ceiling height, etc. Based on a peak airflow of AHU (21,200 CFM), overall building area, and typical ceiling height (9’-0”), we’d have about 11.3 air changes per hour at peak load. 

     

    Q8: What are the basic assumptions for outside air intake to aid in dilution/ventilation for all interior spaces? 

    A8: AHU has a minimum OA position, and runs based on an occupancy schedule. We’ve temporarily changed our AHUs to run in occupied mode from 6AM to midnight for most of our units due to COVID-19 precautions. Unit is also sized for economizer when OA conditions allow. 

     

    Q9: What are the weather assumptions for heating and cooling the interior spaces along with outdoor temperature and humidity estimates?

    A9: I’m not positive what conditions the original designers used in 1990, but see page 2 of the “HVAC Systems” attachment from our facilities standards for our typical OA design conditions. 

    Attached Files: 

  13. Engagement iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Engagement iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    Engagement iCAP Team

    The Engagement iCAP Team met on Tuesday, November 9 to ideate recommendations on each of the team's four themes: awareness & purpose, technology & visibility, culture & practicality,  and inclusivity & relationships. The committee broke out into groups to generate lists of recommendations the team intends to pursue. Meeting minutes attached.

    Attached Files: 

  15. Weekly Update: Uncommonly busy; Visit from Ride Illinois; Kids Bike Giveaway

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, We were, again, uncommonly busy for this time of year. Beginning of this week looks bike-friendly, too (as in: warm). A couple people finished up their B-a-Bs last week. I picked up parts from Urbana so we’re well-stocked on 26” wheels, which we’d run out of, mostly—surprisingly.

    We’re still ironing out dates for our Kids Bike Giveaway event and the specifics therein. Will work more on this in the coming week.

    Last week I was visited by the Executive Director of Ride Illinois, the statewide bike advocacy group. It was a brief chat but a good one and nice to have our operation on their radar. Relatedly, our new space continues to impress.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 39
    Sales: $967
    Memberships: 9 for $270
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $380
    Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $90

    Tires/tubes: 10 for $56

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  16. This Week in Research

    Associated Project(s): 
    Solar Farm 2.0
    Agrivoltaics: Crop Production and Solar Panels on the Same Land
    Geothermal on Campus
    Biomass Boiler at the Energy Farm
    Support the MTD Bus System
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan

    What do giant grasses, micro grids, deep wells, and hydrogen-powered buses all have in common? They are all part of a clean energy future that is being imagined, created, and tested here at UIUC. The breadth of our energy research portfolio, across all of the campus and the broader C-U community, is truly impressive. Here are just a few examples:

    Solar Farm 2.0 will soon be home to a newly awarded, $10M project led by Madhu Khanna to optimize the design of "Agrivoltaics," or fields with both crops and solar panels to maintain crop production, produce renewable energy, and increase farm profitability. A few miles to the east, the Energy Farm boasts extensive test plots to study how to grow and use plants as biofuel. The farm is using a biomass boiler to replace propane as the fuel source for its main research greenhouse. The Energy Farm is also home to one of dozens of geothermal wells on campus that are helping scientists like Yu-Feng Lin develop better geothermal systems, while on the north side of campus, the new Campus Instructional Facility is heated and cooled with a state-of-the art geothermal system. Nuclear power is expected to play an important role in meeting our campus ICAP goals, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission hosted a hearing last week to seek input on our plans to site a next-generation, micronuclear reactor near the Abbott Power Plant. Integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid presents unique challenges, and Illinois power system researchers, including Alejandro Domínguez-García, are working to develop microgrid technology to address issues of reliability and resilience. Meanwhile, researchers such as Petros Sofronis are working on a bold new vision for national leadership in the emerging hydrogen economy. (It might sound like the stuff of science fiction, but the CUMTD just launched two hydrogen-powered, zero-emission buses—the first in the state!) 

    There is only one way I can wrap up a message about our campus energy research: The future looks bright, indeed!

    Sincerely,

    Susan

  17. Climate Rally 11/12 at ISU Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support Regional Sustainability
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)

    The following information was received from Haley Cepek, the secretary for the Student Environmental Action Coalition at Illinois State University:

    We are currently planning a climate rally in response to the recent COP26 conference. It would take place this Friday, 11/12/21, starting at 1pm at Uptown Circle right outside ISU campus. I want to spread the word over to the University of Illinois so that more people would have the opportunity to use their voice for change. It is an important event and I would love for University of Illinois to have representation. I would greatly appreciate if you could help me in spreading the word over to your campus. We are hoping to make as big of an impact as we can with this rally, and we would truly benefit from combining our communities together to support one cause.

  19. iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress

    The harmful economic & environmental effects of agricultural waste can be mitigated with cutting-edge technologies, such as converting it to biochar & fuel. Join the final Fall iSEE Congress session with Thomas Trabold, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Yuanhui Zhang, Founder Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois.

    November 9, 12–1 pm • Register for Zoom webinar

    Julie Wurth • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

  20. Free Webinar - Conscious Consumerism

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainable Procurement

    Do you want to ensure that your spending is ethical and making a positive impact on the world? Is being mindful about where your money goes important to you? This webinar provides the tools you need to think critically about your own consumption. Learn how you can align your own behaviors with your personal values and goals. Registration required.

    Student Money Management Center • University of Illinois System Student Money Management Center

    Free Webinar - Conscious Consumerism

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