Updated March 13th, 2007
1. Power Plant Carbon Sequestration
The on-campus UW Power Plant uses primarily natural gas to produce steam, chilled water, compressed air, and some electricity for the UW. The plant is a large emitter of CO2, producing more than 40% of UW’s emissions. The power plant is also an essential component of the UW community. It has been in continuous operation for over 30 years; additionally, if it is not functioning for more than 4 hours the UW Medical Center must be evacuated. Given that the Power Plant is so essential to the community, carbon sequestration, which would only effect the emissions of the plant (i.e. not a fuel or equipment change), is highly desirable.
Deliverables
A summary of current and emerging carbon sequestration technologies which could be implemented at the UW power plant and a recommendation of those technologies that hold the most promising economic and technical feasibility.
Recommend next steps (or more specific research needed) for developing and implementing carbon sequestration technology at the UW.
2. Methane Capture at the Old Montlake Landfill
The northeastern portion of the Seattle Campus lies on top of the Montlake Landfill, which operated from 1925-1966. The E1 parking lot is built over much of the surface of this landfill, and there is a relatively new ventilation system in place under this pavement.
Deliverables
Report on the technical and economic feasibility of capturing and combusting methane being sourced under the E1 parking lot.
Recommend next steps (or more specific research needed) for developing and implementing methane solutions at the UW.
3. Travel Emissions Education Initiative
The purpose of this project is to educate the University of Washington community about the need to address the issue of climate change and stimulate behavioral change in students, staff, and faculty that results in a reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Discussions with UW staff and examination of UW’s GHG emissions indicate that more energy could be dedicated to educating the UW community about personal contributions to global climate change and addressing how to reduce their impacts. Air travel is an especially large GHG source for the UW community.
Deliverable
An educational campaign targeting reductions in travel related emissions by illustrating alternatives and mitigation options for faculty, staff, and students.
4. Climate Friendly Investments
The purpose of this project is to investigate the opportunities for businesses and institutions to make investments that are climate friendly. The project will use the UW as the test case investor paying attention to the risks, opportunities and barriers to climate friendly investment that are particular to the University setting. As companies and institutions look for ways to respond to climate change, investments are one potentially important area of impact. Both the risks and opportunities of climate change can be important economic indicators for investors. The Seattle Climate Partnership is particularly interested in an analysis of climate friendly investments as it may be the basis for one of their technical assistance workshops for members, including the UW.
Deliverable
Overview of what Climate Friendly Investments are and what impact this activity might have on climate change.
Download the Climate Friendly Investing Winter Presentation
(note, this project will contine during the Spring Quarter, 2007)
5. Green Building: Converting Existing Buildings
There are multiple social, environmental and economic reasons that support converting all existing buildings to green standards. This project offers an overview of Seattle’s sustainability efforts as well as how the UW is performing relative to other national universities. It describes an array of sustainable technologies that have been proven to reduce environmental impacts. The applications are organized into the five categories that the United States Green Building Council’s, LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design evaluation criteria outlines: site design, energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, materials and resources and indoor air quality. In addition, the report presents successful green building case studies and their subsequent cost implications.
Deliverables
Download the Green Building Final Report
Download the Green Building Final Presentation