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UC San Diego: One of The Greenest Universities
UC San Diego: One of The Greenest Universities
UC San Diego:
One of the
Greenest
Universities
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
Greenest U energy plan -- UC San Diego launched one of the largest renewable energy
programs on a university campus. Solar photovoltaic, biogas fuel cells and a wind energy swap
will produce nearly 8 megawatts of green energy. And, the program won’t cost the university a
dime – except to purchase the power. All construction, operations and maintenance are
financed by third-party investors. All projects are expected to fully implemented by September
2009. Unique solar trees have been planted on top of UC San Diego parking structures.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
Largest university fuel cell – UC San Diego is building the largest fuel cell project
on a university campus and the only fuel cells powered by biogas. Waste methane
from the San Diego sewage treatment plant will be captured and transported to the
campus, where it will fuel 2.8 megawatt fuel cells. The fuel cells will also produce
320 tons of air conditioning capacity and may create hydrogen fuel as a byproduct.
UC San Diego will receive millions of dollars in fuel cell incentives from the state to
build the largest energy storage system on a university campus.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
The birth of climate change science – Charles David Keeling, a scientist at Scripps
Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, began measuring carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere in 1958. Within a few years, he found that manmade greenhouse gases
were inexorably building up. The Keeling Curve has become an icon of modern climate
change science – and a harbinger of the global threat we now all face.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
Enhancing solar power -- Electrical engineers at UC San Diego have created solar
cells spiked with nanowires to develop highly efficient thin-film solar cells of the
future. Other engineers are working on new ways to transport and distribute solar
energy in an optical form along optical fiber before final conversion and usage.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
Biofuel lab to market – UC San Diego scientists are involved in ventures that
take research on biofuels and other sustainable innovations from the lab to
market, where they can become commercial fuel for cars, trucks and other
transportation. Sapphire Energy, which is creating renewable, high-octane
gasoline from algae, includes two UC San Diego scientists on its team of
scientific advisers. Another UC San Diego scientist is working with industry to
build a reactor that will turn forest, urban and agricultural biomass waste into
fuel.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
Saving energy through IT – Information Technology in the U.S. has the same carbon
footprint as the airlines industry. UC San Diego has taken a world-leading role in saving
energy at data centers. It’s the only university member of the Green Grid, a global
organization for energy efficiency in IT. UC San Diego just signed the first ever international
agreement among universities to work together on energy reduction in computer centers.
The new wing of the San Diego Supercomputer Center is a test bed for green
cyberinfrastructure, including a natural ventilation system and a solar reflecting roof to
dissipate heat, creating a building that is 50 percent more energy efficient that California
standards require.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach
Green classrooms – With more than 200 courses and several majors and minors focused on
environmental sustainability, UC San Diego students train for a future in the green economy and
engage in research into sustainable solutions. In a collaborative project among faculty, students and
staff, chemistry students get used cooking oil from dining halls and recycle it into biofuels. Photo
courtesy of USA Today.
Local Impact, National Influence, Global Reach