The Carrot Sticks Create Interdisciplinary “Building Assessment” Green Teams, and - PowerPoint Presentation

The Carrot Sticks Create Interdisciplinary “Building Assessment” Green Teams, and a Standard Assessment Model Make “going green” cool/fashionable Smart Refrigeration System (SRS) The Rensselaericle

Create Interdisciplinary “Building Assessment” Green Teams, and a Standard Assessment Model Focus: assessing the performance and use of a building, via more holistic approach Team conducts multi-faceted analysisDevelop a Standard Assessment ModelApply for grant (Stimulus Package, NSF, NYSERDA etc.) Specific to bio-limatic assessment and retrofitting of older buildingsImpactEnvironment: Project dependent thus potential impact is largeEconomic: Project dependentCulture: Train and grow awareness among group and building occupantsPay-BackDependent on extent and type of retrofit identifiedFeedback The Carrot Sticks Create Interdisciplinary Green Teams 8 L S N/A L M Volunteers Facilities

Focus: Holistic building assessment Departs from piece-meal, ‘quick-fix’, heavy-handed approaches to building renovation (e.g., replace all windows, replace all light bulbs, replace all plumbing fixtures) Examines the interplay of multiple additional factors and data

Team would conduct a multi-faceted analysis Bioclimatic analysis: energy use/performance of building systems How much do existing systems take into account the external environment? (wait for SRS)Account for: Solar energy presenceWind flowsTemperature swings (diurnal, seasonal, etc.)Occupancy flows (uses of the building during the course of the day; uses in different seasons; changes in use in past decades)

Make Sustainability Cool Publicize/promote outstanding sustainable products Showcase/advertise sustainable behaviors/practicesImpact:Culture: Foster positive attitudes towards the environmental implications of social behaviorsEconomic: Minimal…advertising. Word of mouth, actionEnvironment: Once the ball gets rolling….Who will implement?Admin., IWSTF, SSTF, and everyoneFeedback…

Driving a Sustainability Culture President Jackson is ‘far and away’ the most influential voice on campusOnly person whose decisions/leadership automatically gets results In consultation with Dr. Jackson, develop strategies for driving a sustainability cultureInspiration: a slogan with the impact of “Yes We Can!”Aspiration : set clear goals, with metrics and monitoringCommunication: continue the SSTF’s model of collaborative knowledge-building, networking and idea-miningMotivation: publicize achievements to create the desire for others to emulate success

Examples Example: Campus retailers or organizations (e.g., Student Senate) offer subsidies to clubs or teams who buy sustainable products and materials and use sustainable practices/processes Example: request “sustainable product reviews” from Statler & Waldorf and/or The Poly

Examples Cont. Example: use the central sustainability information website as an advertising venue “Top Ten Sustainable Products” “Product of the Week”Example: provide display area (showcase or central sustainability area)

Example: The Rensselaer “Eco-Button™” USB-connected energy counter/hibernator for computers Instantly hibernates computer at near-zero energy consumption Instantly re-awakens at “wherever you left off”First screen shows money saved, energy savedRensselaer logo printed on the buttonPurchase at reduced rate through Voorhees Computer CenterAdd to computing package sold to incoming studentsCould use coupon to be redeemed at the VCCSell to faculty and staffUse fliers and coupons to advertiseProvide free for a limited timeCan also purchase additional buttonsAdvanced use: develop additional software to track and display the savings by class, by school, etc.Product currently available at: www.buzline.com

Example: Annual Sustainability Awards/Appreciation Dinner Awards for best sustainability courses Awards for best sustainability researchShowcase innovative technologiesRecognition of best practices (emphasizing ‘operations’ at Rensselaer)Could incorporate speaker or presentations on innovative technologies

Example: Club for “Recycled Art” Group focused on creating art made of recycled material. Intended to be displayed in public spaces.Would provide venue for creative students Easy to set up due to pre-existing environmental awareness clubs.

Example: Sponsor Intramural Sports Teams Select several intramural sports teams to represent a sustainability theme. Provide free themed t-shirts, water bottles, etc. Consciousness raising.Analogous to Vasudha.

Research Project: Smart Refrigeration System (SRS) Eco-Refrigerator integrated into building wall to cool with outside air in winter Reduce energy consumptionReduce the use of freonUse indoor and outdoor thermostat to control switching of cooling systemDischarge off-heat to outside the building in summer (to reduce air-conditioning costs)Discharge to inside the building in winter

Rensselaericle The “ Rensselaericle ”: transforming the American auto industryGoal: to address the entire life cycle of transportation carbon emissionsBy creating a new, low-emissions (electric vehicle), but ALSOBy doing away with “consumable” or “throw-away” cars and trucksUnderlying problem: U.S. metropolitan models are decentralized; therefore the European approach to urban public transportation is cost-inhibitive for most U.S. locationsAmericans love “individual” freedom: they are addicted to “a car for every person”Also addicted to consumerism – always wanting “the latest style”Result: a new car every year or two (or five)Greatest carbon emission is not gas mileage, but auto manufacturing/embodied energy

Solution: create a modular car, with a “core to last a lifetime” (20-30 year life) Base model: galvanized metal, slate gray, simple shape Simple, durable interior designIndependent electric motors at every wheel (regenerative breaking)Central ‘power-box’ where electricity is generated Add-ons: exterior body panels (e.g., make it a Cadillac, Ferrari, or Buick)Similar ‘upgrades’ for interior All using interchangeable partsPower source: as new technology (e.g., upgraded batteries, fuel cell, LNG) come on the market, the owner changes the power source, NOT the carResult: satisfies consumer desire for a “new car” with a fraction of the manufacturing costs – in terms of both economics and carbon emissionsUsed parts can be exchanged, re-used“Core” could also be expanded (e.g., from 2-seat to 4-seat module) by unbolting and inserting an add-on sectionBasic “core/skeleton” remains unchangedNote: could devastate the auto industry, which is based economically on frequent, wasteful replacement with a new modelCurrent timing – with the auto industry already undergoing major overhaul – is ideal Rensselaericle

ImpactEnvironmental: Greatest carbon emissions reduction possibleEconomic: Flip economics of auto industry Culture: Dispose of throw away mentality… Who will implement? The Carrot SticksThe Rensselyrical73HLLH H Existing Research Rensselaericle

The full line up The Carrot Sticks Recycled Art Club 17NMN/AL H Existing Awareness The Carrot Sticks Sponsor Intramural Sports Teams 3 L S N/A L M Existing Awareness The Carrot Sticks Publicize Fashionable Sustainable Products 6 L M N/A L M Existing Awareness The Carrot Sticks Annual Sustainability Awards Dinner 19 M S N/A L M/H Existing Awareness The Carrot Sticks Implement Green Buttons 25 M S N/A M M Existing Energy The Carrot Sticks Apply for Stimulus Money for Retrofitting Buildings 29 N S N/A M M Existing Facilities The Carrot Sticks Enhance FIXX to Include Sustainability 27 L M M M M Volunteers Facilities The Carrot Sticks Create Interdisciplinary Green Teams 8 L S N/A L M Volunteers Facilities The Carrot Sticks Green Purchasing Policy 15 N M N/A M M Existing Procurement The Carrot Sticks Exterior Building Refrigeration Envelope 11 H L L M L Existing Research The Carrot Sticks The Rensselyrical 73 H L L H H Existing Research The Carrot Sticks Bicycle Rental Stations 34 H M L L L Existing Transportation