Click to download Katherine Holder's EcoHouse Foundation Project report

Plymouth State University student Katherine Holder’s EcoHouse Foundation Project proposal led to the summer 2009 sustainable refurbishment of the building’s basement and core systems. Her report on the completion is available online as a PDF. The introduction reads:

As part of the Fall of 2009 Sustainability in Residences class, students identified projects that would contribute to the sustainability of the Eco-House. Among the proposals were solar hot water, rain catchment, organization and operations, building layout and floor plan, lighting and weatherizing plans. This project is the culmination of a Fall 2008 project entitled “Eco-House Basement Opportunity” that identified the need of PSU and Eco-House staff to address the structural integrity of foundation walls, as well as, related moisture and air quality issues. It was determined in the Spring of 2009 that the foundation walls of the Eco-House need to be replaced and construction was to be completed during the Summer of 2009. Upon partnering with ABODE Green Home Builders of Plymouth, NH, material choices and site design were selected.

The intent of construction done during the Summer of 2009 was to ensure the structural integrity of PSU’s Eco-House for generations to come. This entailed repairing and replacing three main foundation walls, replacing the sill plate above foundation walls, replacing two main structural beams, repairing roof rafters and bracing in the attic. Subsequent issues resolved during construction entailed on site water management, insulation of foundation walls, and removal of over half of impervious surfaces that abutted the building and covered the lot. These issues were remediated through the installation of a perimeter drain and engineered drainage plane, the use of Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) for foundation walls and the application of a capillary break on the exterior of new foundation walls. Critical components of water management and building longevity were completed during this construction phase at the Eco-House in order to ensure its integrity.

[Katherine] Holder said sustainable living begins when people start to think about how human activity affects the natural environment, then make small changes in their daily lives to reduce their individual “carbon footprint” and other impacts.

via ‘Eco House’ combines living with learning – Fosters.

The audio is available for download as an MP3.

Lovins’ slides are embedded below, and are available for download in QuickTime or PDF format.

(Click to advance to the next slide.)

Standing before PSU students and faculty, Lovins presented what he called a conservative economic theory — yet to be challenged, he pointed out — that energy efficiency and the resulting conservation make not only extremely good business sense, but are also good for the world’s climate. It’s what the institute’s Web site calls Natural Capitalism.

What is it? The EcoHouse mission is to demonstrate environmentally sustainable technology in a residential setting, to provide hands-on experiential learning opportunities to PSU students and the surrounding region, to collect and disseminate information about sustainability and to help others live in more sustainable ways.

Brian Eisenhauer, PSU Social Science professor and EcoHouse co-director, said Eco House will show, first hand, what sustainability really means on a day-to-day basis.

“The basic idea is that all aspects of the building – its structural elements, the kitchen, and everything else would double as a demonstration facility, where students and other visitors would be able to see the environmentally appropriate technologies at work,” said Eisenhauer.

Students have already helped plan the “green renovation,” the first phase of which is being done by ABODE Builders of New England, Inc.

The project includes repairs to the building’s foundation that incorporates highly efficient insulation, carefully selected materials and other environmentally appropriate technology. The foundation work is necessary due to structural and drainage issues. Other aspects of the job include installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficient windows.

Students will occupy the building this fall, and the project will continue to develop ways to show how the average single family home can be retrofitted for sustainable design and alternative energy sources and how residents can lessen the environmental impacts of their own choices and actions.

Located on Route 175-A in Holderness across from the Foley Gymnasium, the first phase of Plymouth State University’s ALLWell (Active Living, Learning, and Wellness) Center is the construction of an ice arena. The Ice Arena will serve as a teaching facility for instruction and research in ice activities, a home for Panther varsity men’s and women’s ice hockey teams with seating for 850 spectators, and a Welcome Center that will provide an attractive meeting place for visitors to the campus and towns of Plymouth and Holderness and the region.

The Ice Arena will be built to meet LEED Silver standards by installing sophisticated geothermal heating/cooling design to maximize energy conservation opportunities.

“In order to maximize the sustainability of this facility, PSU is installing the large geothermal field and using other energy-saving devices that will reduce energy consumption by at least 28 percent over a traditional arena,” said PSU’s Director of Environmental Sustainability Bill Crangle.

The combination of geothermal and the capture of waste heat generated by ice making equipment will provide the heat for the facility thereby removing reliance on traditional fuel-based heating system.

Construction workers are hard at work on the PSU Ice Arena, which is scheduled to open in 2010

Because of the energy-efficient design, this facility will require less energy consumption than PSU’s traditional academic and residential buildings of the same size. Because of the design and operating systems, the structure will be one of the most energy efficient ice arenas in the nation.

Here are the highlights of the energy efficient design and construction of PSU’s Ice Arena:

• Building will meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver standards
• An integrated ice-making/heating/cooling system is the most energy efficient system on the market today
• Geothermal system Saves energy, provides heating, cooling and hot water for building, eliminates the need for use of fossil fuels
• Ice refrigeration system is integrated with the Geothermal and uses non toxic glycol instead of toxic ammonia, radiant heat is provided through waste heat
• Low energy lighting – interior and exterior – saves energy and preserves the night sky
• Energy costs are 30 less than traditional ice arenas
• Bioswales in the parking area control and filter storm water, improving the overall quality of water returning to the aquifer
• Water efficient plumbing fixtures reduce water use
• Shuttle service, bike storage, and changing rooms encourage alternative transportation
• Construction of the ice arena uses sustainable methods such as recycling construction waste, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified wood products, and use of local materials and contractors

By signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, PSU has made a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality. The PSU Office of Sustainability works in partnership with the PSU President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability and the University Environment Committee to advance the University’s goals on sustainability.

In addition, the University will make the Ice Arena available to area science classes to provide the opportunity to learn about the various “green” technologies being implemented.

The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in Woodstock, N.H., is run in cooperation with the scientists of the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study and the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Station and is funded by the National Science Foundation.

The REU program offers a unique undergraduate summer research experience based at the Hubbard Brook Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The program emphasizes ecology and ecosystem science through both a research mentorship and an outreach partnership with an outside organization engaged in communicating ecosystem information.

Twelve students from across the country are spending the summer at the Hubbard Brook LTER site in Woodstock. Students work with a research mentor participating in research projects in animal ecology, biogeochemistry, hydrology and soils, and forest vegetation. In addition, students partner with an organization to create a product needed by the organization to communicate ecosystem concepts to a broad audience. Each week the REU program includes evening events related to science projects and science communication.

REU student Kaitlin Friedman studies salamander habitat at the Hubbard Brook Ecological Research site

REU student Audrey Reid said, “I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work on a research project in an environment like this. I’m surrounded by top scientists, and get to bounce ideas off of peers who are just as excited about ecology as I am.”

“The program provides a great opportunity to gain first-hand experience in scientific research, as well as emphasizing the importance of scientific policy and communication,” Jordan Jessop, another REU student said. “Without the ability to communicate the importance of the science and form effective public policy, the research is almost meaningless to the public.”

Mary Ann McGarry, Associate Professor of Science Education with the Center for the Environment and HBRF Education Director and one of the coordinators of the REU. “The bright and motivated students in the program keep everyone on their toes,” said McGarry. “It is a privilege to interact with such engaging young scientists and inquisitive minds.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to facilitate a program that brings such excellent students together with both a great group of scientists and a number of the non-profits and management agencies active in the stewardship of our region,” said Geoff Wilson, PSU Adjunct Faculty and Undergraduate Research Coordinator for HBRF.

Reid has developed a blog as part of her science communication project,” said Reid. “I’m having a lot of fun putting this blog together. It’s a great chance for me to learn how to communicate science to the public as a whole, while still trying to get across the intricacies of our research projects. It’s a skill I’ll definitely need in the future as a research scientist.”

To follow the activities of the REU students, visit Hubbard Brook blogs . A culminating conference where students will present their work will be held on August 10 at Hubbard Brook and the event is open to the public.

We wanted to take a moment to update you on PSU’s many efforts to reduce the University’s environmental impacts. In May of 2007 President Steen signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment for carbon neutrality along with 578 other colleges and universities from around the country. The commitment requires various actions and reports by the institution, ultimately leading to long range plan to achieve carbon neutrality. If you are interested in reading the details of this commitment please click here (www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org ). In order to gather the necessary data and take steps to reduce our environmental footprint, President Steen formed the Presidents Commission for Environmental Sustainability (PCES).

Over the last year the PCES worked to create a database of PSU’s major carbon contributors (heat, electricity and solid waste), the database includes academic years 2001 through 2007. The commission also prepared a formal report summarizing the data, highlighting PSU’s efforts to date, as well as providing background and direction. This report was written by Danielle Ross, a PSU student who graduated last year. We are very pleased and excited to present this report and our initial findings. The report shows that the campus, particularly Physical Plant, has been working very hard to reduce PSU’s energy consumption despite the growth in facilities and the student body. pces-final-2007-report

The PCES activities for the upcoming year include updating the database for the academic year 2008 and expanding the data collection for commuter information and University related air travel.  In addition, we are committed to report by the end of this year on how the institution plans to meet our commitment for carbon neutrality. This report is due no later than September 2009. One of our goals is to develop a more active web presence for the campus community, there currently is a blog available were we post our meeting minutes and other announcements http://greenup.blogs.plymouth.edu/ .This can be a good place to follow our progress and provide input.

Though we have been encouraged not make comparisons with other institutions, we are pleased with the comparative information we have so far. If you are interested in seeing how PSU stacks up with the other 578 colleges and universities you can find this information at the American College and Universities Presidents Climate Commitment web site http://www.aashe.org/pcc/reports/

We have been very please by the support we have received from President Steen and the Cabinet and we particularly want to thank everyone who has participated, provided information or simply asked questions. PSU Green is more than a school color. Go green!

Brian Eisenhauer – co chair

Bill Crangle – co chair

PCES

PSU’s 2nd Annual “Do it in the Dark” energy saving competition between residence halls is underway.  This year the competition is two months instead of one, running from October to December.  Energy saving updates will be announced every two weeks, and the residence hall that saves the most energy during the competition will receive ½ price laundry for one month.  To help save energy, turn off lights when you leave a room, shut off power strip at the end of the day, and unplug any unused appliances

DID YOU KNOW?

1 kilowatt hour (KWH) equals 1000 watts of energy used. This is the equivalent of one 60 watt light bulb (the bulb in your desk lamp) running for 16 hours.

Residence Hall current energy usage:

Belknap Hall is holding steady to .61 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 5,854 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Blair Hall is holding steady to .53 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 4,228 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Grafton Hall is holding steady to .58 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 6,351 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Langdon Woods is holding steady to .82 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 10,015 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Mary Lyon Hall is holding steady to .65 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 10,882 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Pemi Hall is holding steady to .65 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 6, 428 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Samuel Read Hall is holding steady to .36 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 3,153 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Smith Hall rose slightly to .56 KWHs per square foot.  So far this month, 7,197 KWH of electricity have been consumed.

Take Action: Turn your computer off overnight and on weekends.  Be bold and turn it off between classes or over lunch. Be bolder and turn it off when away from it for more than a few minutes.

Unplug chargers and appliances (a.k.a. fans, TVs, curling irons, microwaves, etc.) when not in use, especially if they do not maintain memory settings.

Configure your computer to turn its monitor off after a few minutes and to enter sleep mode after 20 minutes or so.  You can also adjust the brightness of a computer’s settings.  Visit the ITS website for additional tips on configuring your computer: www.plymouth.edu/infotech/green.html

Turn off your lights every time you leave the room.  Use natural light when possible.

Choose energy efficient products labeled with the “Energy Star” rating when purchasing items such as refrigerators and microwaves.

Use the stairs instead of the elevator.