Tag Archives: energy

Climate Energy Ideas Sustainability News Tufts Community News

Campus Sustainability Council update: Energy/Emissions Working Group

April 20, 2012 – 6:42 pm

Since the beginning of March, the three Working Groups of the Campus Sustainability Council have been meeting bi-weekly to discuss the current state of energy/emissions, water, and waste policies and practices at Tufts, and to create new policy measures in these areas.

The Energy/Emissions Working Group met for the first time on March 15th and reviewed its roles and responsibilities, which include reviewing current energy usage and emissions, existing initiatives and goals, as well as creating recommendations for goals and implementation plans to present to the Campus Sustainability Council.

The group reviewed Tufts’ institutional commitments to energy and emissions reduction including the 1990 Talloires Declaration and Tufts Environmental Policy, the 1999 Climate Change Commitment to follow the Kyoto Protocol and reduce carbon dioxide levels to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012, and the 2003 New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action Plan with the goal to be 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 75-85% below 2001 levels by 2050. The members also learned that many energy-saving initiatives at Tufts are already underway, including:

  • Occupancy sensors in most rooms on campus
  • Daylight sensing/dimming, lighting & controls
  • Ongoing technology updates include LED lighting
  • Equipment efficiency
  • State of the art boiler controls and boiler upgrades
  • Retro-commissioning of buildings
  • Heat-recovery programs
  • Energy Star vending machines & vending misers
  • Free CFL bulb exchange
  • IT upgrades (LCD screens, laptops)
  • Solar panels on Sophia Gordon Hall, Schmaltz House, Fairmount House
  • Management- Residence Hall winter break shut-down
  • Behavior modification
  • LEED Certification
  • Fuel Switching from oil to gas
  • Renewable energy such as solar and geothermal

The working group members discussed the differences between Tufts’ campuses energy use and emissions, life-cycle costing, ways to evaluate proposed solutions and appropriate metrics for evaluation. The group is in the final stages of assessing the current state of energy and emissions at Tufts and will soon move on to metrics and goal setting. The working group is co-chaired by Ann Rappaport, Lecturer at Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Betsy Isenstein, Director of Facilities Technical Services.

As always, Tufts community members are welcome to add their own suggestions for the working group through the easy, on-line form available on the Office of Sustainability’s website.

Tags , , , , , , | Comment (0)
Climate Energy Events Tufts Community Events

Apr 26: Aviation Biofuels: Propelling the World toward a Low-Carbon Future

April 19, 2012 – 7:54 pm

CIERP’S Energy, Climate, and Innovation Program presents…

Aviation Biofuels:
Propelling the World toward a Low-Carbon Future

with Cristina Haus , Executive Editor,
Jet Fuel Intelligence, Energy Intelligence Group

Thursday, April 26, 2012
12:30-1:45, Murrow Room, The Fletcher School
160 Packard Avenue, Medford
(A light lunch will be served. No RSVPs – first come first served.)

Cristina Haus will speak about the development of aviation biofuels over the last six years, from the military’s early strategic priorities that led to testing by the Air Force and later the Navy, to the certification effort for commercial use, to flight tests by Lufthansa and others, and the current effort to bring these fuels from technical viability to commercial reality through efforts by NGOs such as the Carbon War Room and groups like the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative. She will also discuss the regulatory framework – what exists and what is missing in terms of a global climate change agreement for aviation specifically and the world in general.

Haus, a Fletcher graduate (F’81), has worked at Energy Intelligence for most of her professional career. She began as a reporter at the flagship publication Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, and for the last twenty years has been Executive Editor of Jet Fuel Intelligence. She attends (and has been a frequent speaker at) Fuel Forums of the International Air Transport Association, which has taken her all over the globe. During a brief hiatus from EIG she worked for Bloomberg Business News and Cambridge Energy Research Associates. She speaks German, French, Italian and English, each of which she uses often in her work. Haus has two daughters, one of whom currently attends Tufts University.

For more information about this event or about CIERP in general, visit the Fletcher School Events page.

Tags , , | Comment (0)
Career Energy

Senior Associate, Clean Energy Program (Washington, DC)

March 23, 2012 – 8:40 pm

The Clean Energy Program is working to accelerate the clean energy economy for its national security, economic and environmental benefits. The Program promotes the adoption of key changes to U.S. energy policy in four sectors: industry, utilities, transportation and research.

Specifically, Pew will build support for:

  • Increasing fuel economy and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles.
  • Ensuring that the U.S. electric and industrial sectors are cleaner and more efficient.
  • Fostering U.S. innovation through expanded energy research and development.

The Senior Associate, Energy Innovation, Clean Energy Program will oversee the clean energy innovation and research & development initiatives of the Clean Energy Program and implement strategies and tactics to ensure the Program achieves its goals in this area.  The Senior Associate will coordinate with the field, communications and government relations departments in pursuit of success. The Senior Associate represents the Clean Energy Program with external audiences and stakeholders. The Senior Associate will also work with and contribute to other parts of the Clean Energy Program including The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate, industrial energy efficiency, transportation and utilities when they relate to innovation and/or research and development. This position is exempt and is funded through September 30, 2012.

For more details and to apply, visit: https://jobs-pct.icims.com/jobs/2871/job

Tags , | Comment (0)
Career Energy

Senior Associate: Energy Evaluation, EDR Group (Boston, MA)

March 23, 2012 – 8:32 pm

Economic Development Research Group (EDR Group) has an immediate opening for an experienced consultant with expertise in conducting economic impact and benefit-cost analysis for energy programs, policies and projects.

The position involves working as a Project Manager and member of the leadership group for research and consulting in the application of economic impact analysis methods for energy efficiency, renewable power and other energy infrastructure programs, projects and policies. Candidate must have training and experience in both energy programs and local/regional economic analysis, including familiarity with economic impact and cost-benefit analysis.

The work will involve assisting in development and application of project impact and benefit/cost tools, as well as working with agencies and consulting firms in the application of those tools for program evaluation and project planning. Besides technical analysis, it will also involve significant roles in project management, client services, and business development.  This work may also encompass analysis of other infrastructure and public services (including water/sewer, education and tranportation).  It will involve ongoing collaboration with other consulting partners in research efforts, and presentation of research findings to clients and professional organizations.

There are four specific requirements:

1. Education — a Masters Degree or equivalent in economics, urban/regional planning or public policy;

2. Work Experience — at least four years of work in an energy agency, organization or consulting firm focusing on program operation, facility or infrastructure project planning and economic evaluation; this experience must include project management, business development, technical analysis and consultant/client interaction;

3. Technical Knowledge — Familiarity with (and experience applying) methods for program evaluation and economic (impact and benefit/cost) analysis methods; Experience with use of statistic analysis, and economic base analysis is also desired;

4. Communications — Excellent English speaking and report writing skills, plus an ability to communicate effectively with clients and others in a research team;

To apply, please send your resume, along with a cover letter that clarifies (1) your personal goals and interests, (2) your skills and qualifications for this job, and (3) your availability for working full time at our headquarters in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. If you are not a US citizen, then please describe the status of any work permit or visa to permit you to work in the US.

You may send it via e-mail to info@edrgroup.com , via fax to 1-617-338-1174, or via regular mail to: Economic Development Research Group, 2 Oliver St, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02109

Tags , | Comment (0)
Events Ideas

Apr 4: “The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Modern World”

March 19, 2012 – 10:26 pm

Daniel Yergin, Author; Executive Vice President & Chairman, Cambridge Energy Research Associates presents “The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Modern World”

Wednesday, 4/ 4 @ 5PM

Harvard University, Science Center B, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge

Daniel Yergin is the author of the new bestseller The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World. He received the Pulitzer Prize for The Prize: the Epic Quest for Oil Money and Power, which became a number one New York Times best seller, was translated into 17 languages, and was made into an award-winning documentary. Dr. Yergin is Chairman and Founder of IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates and serves as CNBC’s Global Energy Expert. He serves on the U.S. Secretary of Energy Advisory Board and chaired the US Department of Energy’s Task Force on Strategic Energy Research and Development. He is a Trustee of the Brookings Institution, on the Board of the New America Foundation, and on the Advisory Board of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative.

Tags , | Comment (0)
Energy Events

Mar 4: Deep Energy Retrofit Open House (Sudbury, MA)

February 24, 2012 – 8:29 pm

When: Sunday, March 4, 2012, 12 Noon — 3 PM

Where: 61 Oakwood Avenue, Sudbury, MA

National Grid will be sponsoring an Open House showcasing the Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) of a single family residence at 61 Oakwood Avenue in Sudbury, MA. Synergy Construction LLC, the project’s DER envelope subcontractor, and October Engineering LLC, the owner and mechanical systems installer, will be on hand to discuss the concepts and construction details. The home was built in 1961.

The owners, Deborah Wolozin and Robert Morrison, purchased the home in 2010 as a rental property in one of Sudbury’s family-friendly neighborhoods. A subsequent home energy audit and review of utility bills revealed its poor energy performance. The owners were uncomfortable passing these high utility costs onto future tenants. In the course of researching window replacements and air-sealing energy retrofits, they discovered the NGrid DER Pilot Program. The owners decided on an expanded financial planning horizon which incorporated the benefits of the pilot program to pursue a gut-rehab, deep energy retrofit in conjunction with a second floor expansion.

The super-insulated and air-tight enclosure, made possible through financial and technical support from National Grid and Building Science Corporation, will include interior spray foam insulation for air sealing and insulation in addition to an exterior insulation wall and roof build-out. A heat recovery ventilator will provide fresh air while recovering energy from exhausted air. A premium efficiency hot water heating system is being installed. A multi-split system heat pump will be installed for air conditioning and backup heating. A solar photovoltaic array is currently being designed. The project is aiming for completion by July 2012.

For more information on National Grid, the Deep Energy Retrofit Program, or for directions to the Open House, click the link to their website.

Tags , , , | Comment (1)
Energy Events Non-Tufts Events

Mar 6-8: BuildingEnergy Conference and Trade Show

February 9, 2012 – 8:31 pm

BuildingEnergy, at the Seaport World Trade Center, Boston. BE is the most established and most cross-disciplinary renewable energy and high performance building conference in the region. Organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, it brings together architects, engineers, builders, policymakers, developers and building managers for three days of networking, accredited educational sessions and a high-level trade show. Register here.

What’s new for BuildingEnergy12?…

Tags , , | Comment (0)
Career Energy

Energy Auditor (Malden, MA)

January 9, 2012 – 5:48 pm

TRI-CAP seeks an Energy Auditor for its low-income weatherization, heating systems, and electric efficiency programs.  Once trained, the Energy Auditor will be primarily responsible for electric assessments, but may also conduct residential weatherization audits, heating system evaluations, and in process and quality control inspections. S/he will perform CFL and refrigeration upgrades, as well as analyze and interpret electric use data to recommend savings strategies to low-income clients in utility programs.

Deadline: January 11, 2012

For further information, visit their website.

Tags , | Comment (0)
Energy Tufts Community News

Emissions to decrease as Central Heating Plant switches to natural gas

December 22, 2011 – 6:30 pm

On a quiet Friday last month when the campus was mostly deserted for Veterans Day, Tufts Facilities shut down the Central Heating Plant located between Dowling and East Halls to have the chimney cleaned. No, it was not to help Santa stay soot- free this Christmas – it was the final step in getting the gas turned on for the winter.

New (yellow) gas lines were installed at the Central Heating Plant this past fall

The plant began using natural gas as its main fuel on November 30 and significantly lightened Tufts’ carbon footprint in Medford. CO2 emissions in FY 2012 in the Medford campus are estimated to decrease by 8% from FY 2011 levels despite a projected increase in energy consumption by 7.8%.

According to Tufts’ Director of Facilities Technical Services Betsy Isenstein, the transition is the result of “a fortunate confluence of events”.

Unbeknownst to most people who live and work on the Tufts Medford campus, the central heating plant was forced to switch fuels in the middle of last winter from burning No. 6 to No. 2 fuel oil because of a shipment of substandard No. 6 fuel that could not be used. No. 6 fuel oil (also known “bunker C” or residual fuel oil) is the heaviest, thickest, cheapest, and – not surprisingly – the dirtiest of six available grades of fuel oil in the US.

One of two updated boilers

Shortly afterwards, a routine inspection led to the discovery of issues with two of the fuel tanks outside the central heating plant and prompted the university to move up scheduled upgrades for two boilers that were installed in the 80s. The upgraded boilers are not only more efficient, but they have the ability to burn both natural gas and No. 2 fuel oil.

With the price of natural gas at a historic low, the fuel switch made economic as well as environmental sense. National Grid installed a new gas line from Boston Avenue up to Central Heating Plant and upgraded 1,100 feet of gas main along Boston Avenue last summer in order to bring the amount of natural gas needed up the hill to supply the central heating plant.

The new yellow gas lines look very sharp next to old fuel piping which will be replaced in the near future. #2 fuel will be maintained as a backup.

Natural gas is the cleanest of fuels commonly used for residential and commercial space heating. Switching from No. 6 fuel oil to No. 2 last winter already reduced CO2 emissions by about 7%,  switching from No. 6 to natural gas reduces CO2 emissions by about 30%,  sulfur dioxide (SO2) by over 99%, nitrous oxides (NOx) by about 75% and particulate matter (PM2.5) by about 96%.[1]

In contrast, No. 6 fuel oil comes from the “bottom of the barrel”. It is the sludge that remains after removal of distillates such as gasoline so it has a higher concentration of metals than other oil. Burning No. 6 fuel oil produces darker smoke and higher CO2 emissions than other types of fuel, and “sludge-burning” boilers have been identified as contributors to increased air pollution and consequently, a higher incidence of respiratory problems.

The retrofitted system provides state-of-the-art boiler controls.

The transition has been smooth so far, according to Isenstein. Next spring, fuel storage will be replaced to better handle No. 2 fuel, which will only be used as a backup in case the gas supply fails. A third fuel tank installed in the late ‘50s will no longer be needed, so it will be removed next year and possibly replaced. The central plant heats almost every Tufts building on the hill between Professors Row and part of Boston Avenue. Three smaller plants and a number of stand alone boilers heat the rest of the Medford campus.

The fuel switch at the Central Heating Plant was a big win in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a single initiative, but given recent reports that 2010 was a record year for C02 emissions, there is still plenty of work to be done. Do your part by living sustainably and remember that all journeys begin with small steps. You can download the Green Guide to Living and Working at Tufts or visit the Office of Sustainability website to see how you can get involved in making the world a greener place.

[1] The Bottom of the Barrel: How the dirtiest heating oil pollutes our air and harms our health. M.J. Bradley & Associates LLC and the Urban Green Council for EDF, Dec 2009.

Tags , , , , , , , | Comment (0)
Energy Sustainability News

Cranberries over avocados: Mass. overtakes California as top energy efficiency state

October 24, 2011 – 7:49 pm

In an announcement sure to vindicate Mass****s, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has announced that Massachusetts has replaced California as the top energy efficiency state in America.

The rankings were evaluated based on an array of metrics concerning best practices and leadership in energy efficiency policy and program implementation in the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors, according to the press release.

“Energy efficiency is America’s abundant, untapped energy resource and the states continue to press forward to reap its economic and environmental benefits,” said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel, according to a press release from the council. “The message here is that energy efficiency is a pragmatic, bipartisan solution that political leaders from both sides of the aisle can support. As they have over the past decades, states continue to provide the leadership needed to forge an energy-efficient economy, which reduces energy costs, spurs job growth, and benefits the environment.”

Of the five times the rankings have been published, this is Massachusetts’ first time on top.

“Thanks to our investments in innovation and infrastructure, Massachusetts is now leading the nation in energy efficiency,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, according to the press release. “Through our Green Communities Act, we set aggressive goals and laid the foundation for greater investment in energy efficiency — and now we are proud to be a model for the nation and world.”

Tags , | Comment (0)

Next Page »

Next Page »

Switch to our mobile site