Green Campus Initiatives
Keeping up with solar power
BU can now access real-time data on its solar array, located behind Ben Franklin Hall, thanks to Jeff Brunskill, professor of Envionmental, Geographical and Geological Sciences, and Ned Greene, professor physics and engineering technology, who recently launched a website that features live data from power production to lifetime energy readings. The website also offers array specifications and construction information.
Biodiesel processing takes shape
BU is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and environmental impact, resulting in several green initiatives being implemented with much success and many more are in the works. Collaborating with students, faculty, staff, civic leaders, local residents and other partners, BU is developing innovative strategies and practices for sustainability iniatives across campus and local community.
BU hosts weekly farmers market
Local fruits, vegetables, breads and meats are available each Friday in September and April at the BU Farmers Market. The market, set up between Navy Hall and Bakeless Center, helps benefit the student environmental group Helping Our Planet Earth (HOPE). Sponsored by BU’s Green Campus Initiative and the SOLVE volunteer office, the farmers market is an outgrowth of the Earth Day tours in 2009 of Forks Farm, Orangeville, and Dancing Hen Farm, Stillwater.
Sustainability Updates
• Conserving Water at BU
• Help cut down on electric use
• Chiller Replacement Project
• Elwell-McCormick Lighting Project
Energy Efficiency
As part of a plan to replace a 58-year-old coal stoker, BU is receiving a $500,000 Energy Harvest grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection. Currently five coal stokers burn 7,000 tons of coal per year to heat 1.5 million square feet of residence halls and academic buildings. The $2 million project allows the university to replace one of its 1951 vintage coal stoker boilers with a new, large capacity wood-chip biomass boiler. BU’s annual coal consumption is expected to decrease 67 percent with the installation of the biomass boiler, which will take on the majority of the heating plant’s workload.
Recycling Center Project
Fueled by a $9,282 BU Foundation Margin of Excellence grant, a waste-oil furnace at the Recycling Center has been developed. The furnace is capable of burning recycled motor oil or vegetable oil to heat the facility. Led by Nathaniel Greene, professor of physics and engineering technology, the recycling center project was in place for fall 2010. BU will donate its fryer oil to the process.