Instructors: Professor Rudolf B. Husar, Erin M. Robinson DRAFT, April 14 –All data are preliminary, need verification Class Project Report Sustainable Air Quality, EECE 449/549, Spring 2008 Washington University, St. Louis, MO Carbon Footprint of Danforth Campus Students: Devki Desai Martin Groenewegen Tyler Nading Kate Nelson Matt Sculnick Alyssa Smith Varun Yadav Instructors: Professor Rudolf B. Husar, Erin M. Robinson For more details see the class wiki

Class Project: Carbon Footprint of Danforth Campus Objectives: Develop and Apply Carbon Emission Estimation Model Estimate Carbon Footprint of Danforth Campus Compare the Estimates to Other College Campuses

Washington University Carbon Footprint Heating On Campus Energy Use Carbon Impact Cooling Appliances Commuting Transportation Carbon Impact Air Travel Two parts of carbon footprint: 1. on campus energy use 2. Transportation energy use. University Fleet Students Faculty/Staff The impact on carbon arises from on-campus energy use and from transportation

Danforth Campus Population People cause carbon emission, however the population at Wash. U. has not changed that much. From 1990-2005 the Campus population has fluctuated between 14-16,000 people Students account for 80 percent of the population on campus

University Expenditures and Building Area 60% increase 70% increase Over the last 20 years university expenditures have increased. The resulting economic activity has caused an increase in physical growth – shown by increased sq. ft. During the same time period, the building area (sq ft) has increased by 60 percent. Expenditures Include: Research, Academic, Student Support, O/M of Physical Plant Between 1990-2005, the expenditures increased by 70%

Danforth Campus Electric Energy and Fuel Consumption Increased size has led to increased use of electricity. The overall on campus fuel usage has fluctuated and is now increasing. Purchased electricity increased 90% between 1990-2005. The total energy for electricity includes losses in the power plant and during transmission. Fuel used on campus for heating and hot water: coal, oil and natural gas. In 1993, the University made several upgrades: Switched from coal to natural gas Switched to electric chillers Shut off steam plant from May-October hot water

Causality Framework for University Carbon Footprint - Transportation Miles/Person Gal./Mile Carbon/Gal Population People Transportation Miles Fuel Cons. Gal./yr C Emission Ton C/yr Overall the transportation carbon emissions have remained roughly at 1990 level Transportation has remained relatively constant over last 20 years

Carbon Emission – Danforth Campus Overall emission increased 60% with Electricity being main portion of emissions Carbon Emissions have increased almost 60% from 1990 to 2005. Electricity is the main component of emissions and also drives the emissions trends

Total Emission Comparison between Universities Total emissions seems to correlate with size of the university. Data from 14 campuses show that the carbon impact is roughly proportional to the campus size. Our data indicate that WU emissions/area are comparable to the other schools

Transportation Emission Comparison between Universities Transportation emission is related to total university population. Transportation carbon emission estimates for ten campuses indicate a relationship to school population Washington University estimates are uncertain and given as a range based on two calculation methods Evidently, the WU transportation carbon emissions are also comparable to the other colleges.

Class Outline Follows the NAS Report: Our Common Journey…Sustainability Transition (link) Common Concerns, Differing Emphases What Is To Be Sustained What Is To Be Developed The Links Between For How Long? Goals for a Sustainability Transition Meeting Human Needs (Education, Research) Preserving Life Support Systems (Climate) The Transition to Sustainability as Social ( Academic) Learning