Great ideas and conversation came out of the first Power Potluck with Old Stone Mill board members and tenants.
WOOPS! We scheduled this event during the Spring Symposium. YouPower Watt-A-Thon rescheduled for April 26th.
MEET OUR FIRST FEATURED ENERGY EXPERT: DEAN OUELLETE
Dean Ouellete, Energy & Technology Manager at Middlebury
1. What is the role of the Energy & Technology Manager?
Provide technical support for campus energy planning, production, consumption, and efficiency. Provide hands on management & programming of building and central plant control systems, and support for mechanical/electrical trades involved with these systems. Manage relevant projects. Complement the Facilities Services Department management team with the review, development, and practical implementation of potential alternative energy sources in support of the College’s 2016 Carbon Neutrality Initiative.
2. What’s a recent example of how you’ve helped Middlebury College conserve energy on a large scale?
The air conditioning in Bicentennial Hall uses steam for the chillers that produce the chilled water for the building. With some easy to implement control changes we were able to change the way in which the units start/stop. These control changes have saved the college approximately $250,000 in #6 fuel oil savings a year.
3. What changes would like to see happen at the college that could have the greatest impact on reducing energy consumption?
I would like to see people keep their windows closed during the heating/cooling seasons. A lot of energy is used to heat/cool these buildings and to bring fresh outside air in to breath. We heat that air up more efficiently with heat exchangers built into the air handlers. To open a window is a waste.
I am working on collecting more data from our buildings to understand when we do implement a change, exactly what that impact is.
4. What’s the best part of your job?
Having the feeling that I can really help to make a difference in how Middlebury uses and conserves energy.
5. How do you conserve energy in your day-to-day life?
Besides shutting things off that are not needed around my house, I drive a small car to work instead of my truck at 1/3 the fuel use. Hang clothes out to dry instead of using a dryer. We also have solar hot water and solar electric power, but that is energy production, not conservation. It is good to remind folks about the difference.
6. What’s your favorite energy saving tip?
Shut things off when they are not needed. Every person must also help decide what a “need” is and what a “want” is.
Every week we will feature a new Be Bright Energy Expert at Middlebury— a member of the Middlebury community who plays a key role in managing and conserving energy and educating the campus about energy use.
Save energy one search at a time.
A black screen uses less energy than a white screen. Use blackle and take a small step towards conserving energy (Black Google Would Save 750 Megawatt-hours a Year).
VEEP: Vermont Energy Education Program
See what VEEP is doing to improve energy literacy in Vermont!
Find more energy facts and graphs here:
http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=us_energy_home
Middlebury's Climate Action Plan Progress Report
As part of Middlebury’s efforts to increase sustainability practices on campus and reduce our carbon footprint, President Liebowitz signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007. The ACUPCC provides a framework and support for America’s colleges and universities to implement comprehensive plans in pursuit of climate neutrality. See our progress here.
Energy choices are, while obviously technological, also thoroughly social. How societies produce and consume energy is intimately tied to the function and organization of not only ecological but also social, political, and economic systems at scales ranging from one village to the whole planet. Energy is vital to the success of modern societies, the smooth functioning of the global economy, and the day-to-day lives of the world’s inhabitants. It is one of the largest sources of wealth on Earth and the driver of some the planet’s gravest risks.
http://www.aucegypt.edu/gapp/cairoreview/pages/articledetails.aspx?aid=164
State Energy Plans
Nearly every state has an energy plan. Check out what Vermont or your home state has in the works.
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