1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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 , the expenditures increased by 70%

6. 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
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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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