Mapping Renewable Energy Potential on Campus: A Case Study of a Strategic Green Fund Project
Gioia Thompson, Sustainability Director
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
How significant a role can campus-based renewable energy
play in UVM’s progress towards carbon neutrality?
The Clean Energy Fund, (CEF) funded a feasibility study to help answer
this question and generate scenarios to aid in renewable energy planning at
UVM. The study was conducted over the summer of 2012 by CHA
(Clough, Harbour, & Associates), and will be an invaluable tool for future
decision-making about resource allocation to renewable energy installation
projects on campus. The final recommendations, as well as the potential
renewable energy installation locations map, will serve as foundational
knowledge for both the CEF Committee, and for key campus stakeholders,
including Capital Planning and Management, the Physical Plant
Department, and senior administration. Student interns worked with CHA
to prepare analyses and feasibility reports, as well as to document the
progress of the study.
PROJECT GOALS & DELIVERABLES
Project Goals
Recommendations for optimal renewable energy site locations on the
University’s main campus in the City of Burlington, and on south campus,
located in the City of South Burlington.
Deliverables of this feasibility study included:
①  A campus strategic renewable energy plan that included an assessment
of the opportunities for the following renewable energy technologies:
•  Solar (thermal and photovoltaic)
•  Wind (ground mounted and building integrated)
•  Geothermal
•  Biofuels and Biomass
•  Fuel cells
a)  Provide an overall maximum capacity of renewable energy potential
of the UVM campus. Recommendations can be phased to
accommodate successive carbon neutrality goals.
b)  Determine the most appropriate renewable energy technologies for
the University’s geographic location, and climatic conditions.
c)  Identify the optimal location of these technologies.
②  A map of all potential installation locations divided into layers for each
individual technology. Map presented in GIS and KML (Google Maps)
formats.
③  Student intern involvement in the feasibility study.
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012
www.PosterPresentations.com
Mieko A. Ozeki, Sustainability Projects Coordinator
Michelle M. Smith, Green Building Coordinator
FEASIBILITY STUDY
The following criteria formed the basis of the analysis conducted over the summer by CHA and UVM student interns:
•  Site orientation and conditions, including meteorology
•  State and local regulatory requirements
•  Costs related to installation and operation
•  Existing utility infrastructure
•  Proximity to utility connection
•  Historical, archeological and/or culturally significant buildings and sites
Three CEF student interns researched and analyzed the installation potential of:
•  Solar Photovoltaic
•  Wind
CEF SUMMER INTERNSHIP
•  Geothermal “Working with a small team allowed for more understanding between
members. It provided a good experience for finding ones place in a team
environment, being open to others ideas and critiques, and contributing
•  Research conducted by interns and consultants included:
to a greater whole.”
•  Conducting field surveys, including learning how to estimate the size of a building as well as its roof.
- Richard P. Smith III, Class of 2013
•  Specific energy technology review, including appropriate applications and potential equipment.
•  Technology energy analysis, including learning how estimate total power generation potential based on square footage of solar panels (PV or thermal), During Summer 2012, the Office of Sustainability hired five interns on
as well as average annual wind speed. behalf of the Clean Energy Fund to observe, document, and analyze two
CEF-funded projects for an average of 8-10 hours per week:
•  Coordinating with two marketing interns to create documentary-style videos of the entire feasibility study process, as well as a marketing video.
(1) installation of a 32 kW solar PV system at the Miller Research
Farm’s Ellen A. Hardacre Equine Center and,
RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL MAP (2) Comprehensive Campus Renewable Energy Feasibility Study.
CEF interns conducted field surveys of buildings, parking lots, and open fields on the University’s main campus in the City of Burlington (459 acres) and •  Three students served as the technical team. They performed site
south campus, located in the City of South Burlington (495 acres). The interns surveyed each renewable energy technology for a period of 1-2 weeks and surveys for the feasibility study. Technical interns worked with CHA at
submitted data to CHA for analysis. CHA consultants in turn provided data from each renewable energy technology feasibility study to their GIS specialist. least one day per week.
Map layers were develop for each technology both in GIS and KML (Google Map) formats.
•  Two students served as the communications and outreach team:
(1) The media intern filmed, edited and produced videos on the project.
(2) The outreach intern collected information and produced PR materials
on the implementation of CCREFS over the duration of the project.
Interns’ Majors: Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Community Development &
Applied Economics/Communications.
Internship Deliverables:
①  Bi-weekly blog posts on OoS website of experience
②  2-3 pg. reflection on internship experience
③  2-3 pg. draft PR narrative describing the project
④  Presentation on internship experience
⑤  Produce 6 short online videos on project (Media Intern).
Interns met once a week with the internship supervisors (Sustainability
Interns surveyed each building site and open ground sites on campus.
See Survey Process video on Vimeo at: http://goo.gl/czxDV Projects Coordinator and Green Buildings Coordinator) to check-in on the
progress of their internship. During each meeting, supervisors discussed
professional development skills (such as mind mapping) and career
development, (which included building a professional portfolio), visiting
UVM’s Career Services, and taking the Myers-Briggs personality test.
“I believe the most valuable skill I am taking away from this internship is
a new understanding of professional development… I see this internship
as a bridge connecting the skills I have acquired in college with what I
can offer a future employer.”
- Kierstin Wall, Class of 2013
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT:
WWW.UVM.EDU/SUSTAIN/CEF
Google Earth view of Athletic Campus solar potential. Drawings of potential roof mounted solar PV.
QUESTIONS?
Contact us at: CEF@UVM.EDU