Below are some of the many stories and current events about the Center.  For older stories, please see our News Archives and also view the Center's Photo Gallery.  For e-news, please see our e-news archives.

$2.5 Million Endowment From Chevron to Establish Energy Efficiency Chair and Director Search Launched

In January, 2009, Chevron Corporation gave the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center a $2.5 million endowment to help establish the Chevron Energy Efficiency Chair.  This endowment allow the Center to launc a national search for a permanent director who will focus on increasing research programs, education, commercialization and outreach.

UC Davis’ Chancellor, Larry Vanderhoef, spoke at the event acknowledging this endowment saying, “Chevron’s endowment will ensure long-term strategic leadership for the Energy Efficiency Center by bridging long-term research with real-world applications.”  Last year Chevron Corporation became a Leadership Sponsor of the EEC, providing a $500,000 donation and appointing Chevron Vice President, John McDonald, to serve as a member of the EEC Board of Advisors.

Acknowledging this donation, Mr. McDonald noted that “advancing energy efficiency --which is the cheapest, cleanest and most abundant form of new energy-- is critical to the challenge of meeting the world’s growing energy needs.  California has been a pacesetter in energy efficiency, so it’s fitting that one of the state’s leading universities and California’s largest company should partner on the next generation of energy efficiency.”  For more information click here.

Energy Efficient IT Solutions on the UC Davis Campus

UC Davis’ information technology (IT ) energy consumption was evaluated by three MBA students as part of a larger effort currently underway by Energy Efficiency Center Emerging Venture Analysts (Tracy Hsieh, Tai Stillwater, and Siva Gunda).  For a full project description of the broader effort see Watts Up.  This study was conducted as part of the Community Consulting Group(CCG), a Graduate School of Management (GSM) initiative whereby MBA students volunteer their time consulting to non-profit organizations.  First year MBA students, Hilary Hobbs and Erdem Savasir along with Working Professional MBA student, Jason Orta, completed the initial survey and analysis. The CCG team, advised by GSM Professor, Andrew Hargadon, started the project in fall 2008 and concluded at the end of winter 2009.  The main goals of the group were to measure and analyze actual energy usage on campus and search for existing and improved approaches in energy efficiency (for example, use of Energy Star approved computing technology).  The CCG team hopes this report will influence the policies of UC Davis IT managers in, not only purchasing decisions, but everyday use of equipment. They hope IT managers will lead the charge and spur further improvements in energy efficiency in computing solutions, moving the campus towards a more sustainable energy future.

The report estimated that the University electric bill for computers, monitors, and data centers alone is over $2.3 million.  They estimated that with some basic changes in efficient computing technology, hundreds of thousands of dollars could be saved as well as a greatly reduce overall electricity use on campus.  The team will create general guidelines for campus IT efficiency.  The team selected a sample of three departments in order to test efficient products and assess general energy consumption.

The overall recommendations of the team were: 1) utilization of Energy Star computers and monitors, 2) switching to energy efficient servers, 3) using thin client networks, 4) establishing power management software, and 5) adjusting server room temperature.  Initializing Energy Star computers and establishing power management software alone could reduce energy bills up to $70K and reduce CO₂ by over 110 tons.  The team estimated that the initial investment cost for all recommended changes would be less than $49K and the energy savings alone would repay that investment in just the first 8 months.

The main problem moving forward, according to the CCG group and study results, will be convincing University IT managers and decision makers to shift their current way of thinking.  As one IT manager noted, “We have money for projects [to promote Efficiency within Departments], but departments need to come forth with projects and challenge the administration to pay for them. . . .What we need is a culture shift.”  Until energy efficiency is seen as a cultural norm in the University and among its students, staff, and contractor population there is serious barrier to overcome. The CCG group is hoping that this initial report will spur further dialogue between the IT mangers and University administration in hopes of establishing a viable energy efficient system.

Student Lighting Designs to be on Display in New York

UC Davis students who were enrolled in the DES 136B (Lighting Design) class during Winter Quarter will be able to display their designs at LIGHTFAIR International 2009 in New York City. Going on its 20^th year, LIGHTFAIR is North America’s leading lighting industry event for commercial and architectural services and products. LIGHTFAIR is expected to see over 20,000 professionals from around the globe. The Students design, develop, and prototype a fully working LED based lighting fixture. The student--created prototypes were evaluated based on the creativity of the LED technology use, and overall practical design. The equipment was provided by Arrow Electronics, Magtech Industries, OPTEK Technology, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, and Tyco Electronics. The students were given wide selection of modular LED sources and electrical connections which would then be configured specifically to each individual student design. LED lights are an essential technology in energy efficiency because they only consume a fraction of electricity compared to CFL, Halogen and Incandescent lights. Students explored basic concepts in materials, optics, photometrics, and building science and aesthetically pleasing lighting systems. "Designing with Light" is a studio course in the Design Department at UC Davis taught by Professor Michael Siminovitch, director of the California Lighting

Opportunities and Challenges in Renewable Energy in Nicaragua

On March 11, Vince Romanin shared his study abroad experience working for a renewable energy non- profit group in Nicaragua, Grupo Fenix. Vince spoke to the UC Davis’ Emerging Venture Analysts (EVAs) and staff from the EEC about the opportunities and challenges of work service abroad.  Vince is currently a graduate student in engineering at UC Berkeley where he is working on his Ph.D.  Last summer, while an undergraduate at the University of Dayton, Ohio, Vince participated in a 10 week service abroad program organized by the University of Dayton under their ETHOS program, which annually sends undergraduate engineers to developing countries throughout the globe.  In Nicaragua, Vince worked closely with Grupo Fenix, a renewable energy group affiliated with the National Engineering University in Managua, Nicaragua. The group’s mission is to help rural communities become aware of sustainable lifestyles through technical and cultural exchanges as well as to promote sustainable research and renewable energy.  Grupo Fenix continues to emphasize the importance student’s can play in designing and engineering technologies for the future.

While in Nicaragua, Vince worked on various engineering aspects of installing solar panels for Grupo Fenix’s for-profit business, Suni Solar. Other University of Dayton students involved with the program helped local communities engage in the process of making solar panels and ovens.  It is one thing to create sustainable energy for a community, but Vince cited that it was a completely different challenge getting the community to accept the new technology and integrate it into their daily lives.  Compared to the traditional wood and gas ovens, solar ovens are different in temperature and traditional recipes and foods have to be altered in order for the solar ovens to work.  The language and cultural barriers were difficult at time, but Vince recognized that that although it was the most challenging it was also one of the most rewarding experiences.  The experience in Nicaragua left Vince with a better understanding of how engineers and renewable technologies can affect not only our electric bills, but entire communities.

More information about Grupo Fenix

Because of the large deforestation problem in Nicaragua and adverse health effects from indoor air quality from wood burning ovens, Grupo Fenix has attempted to engage local, rural communities on developing renewable energy technologies and strategies for providing light and alternative means of cooking.  Grupo Fenix’s mission is to help communities better understand the benefits of renewable energy and to work towards accepting these new technologies in their daily lives.   Over the years, Grupo Fenix found that installation of solar panels as well as use of solar ovens could be cost efficient as well as eco-friendly.

Students Present Initial Sustainable Designs for Student Farm Kitchen

Civil & Environmental Engineering students enrolled in course 189-A presented their initial designs for a proposed kitchen, which will be located on UC Davis Student Farm lands just west of Orchard Park Drive and the Colleges at La Rue.  Five groups of students with backgrounds, ranging from interior design to mechanical engineering, presented their initial designs to a large group of professors, students and professionals from the architecture and agriculture fields.  The design proc

ess follows three main goals: flexible and functional, sustainable, and health code certifiable. The teams started developing their designs at the beginning of winter quarter. Each kitchen incorporated a vast array of sustainable materials including: solar panels, geothermal heating, green roofs, straw bale, adobe, recycled wood chips, and even bamboo.  The Student Farm Kitchen’s capabilities would need to include: hand and vegetable washing, areas for preparing fresh food, composting, prep areas for dehydrating fruits and vegetables, and outdoor and indoor seating areas. The Student Farm Kitchen will hope to connect crop availability and consumption to soil health and the seasons.  The Kitchen also will inspire the public with sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle techniques that are realistically attainable.  After the teams presented their designs, groups were formed and the audience was allowed to ask questions and provide feedback on the designs.  The overall function of the UC Davis Student Farm is to provide a hands-on educational experience and appreciation for farming and gardening.  The Student Farm is not only utilized by UC Davis students, but is often host to local schools and culinary programs. To find out more about the UC Davis Student Farm, visit their website: http://studentfarm.ucdavis.edu/

The Global-Local Challenges in Sustainability in Monteverde, Costa Rica

The Monteverde Institute, located in the cloud forest region of the Tilaran Mountains in Costa Rica, engages in sustainable research and student-based environmental study abroad courses focused on the region and in collaboration with the surrounding communities. Executive Director, Jannelle Wilkins, of the Monteverde Institute in Costa Rica gave a group of students and professors a sense of what that means during a brown bag seminar at UC Davis on March 5^th. The seminar highlighted the importance of sustainable research and the significant effects the Institute has on the region and, by extension, the world. The Monteverde Institute in coordination with the student abroad programs is currently researching sustainable methods in community planning and design as well as watershed management and water availability. With the participation of international faculty, researchers and students as well as the local community, the Monteverde Institute is able to engage in programs and projects that are both locally and globally significant. By creating a sustainable and eco-friendly community in Monteverde, the Institute believes it can help inspire and aid other communities in achieving similar goals. The Institute runs approximately twenty five courses per year, including courses in: sustainable futures, globalization and community, global-local challenges to sustainability. Every year about 400-500 students visit the Institute and engage in their programs. Education is at the heart of the Monteverde Institute and plays a vital role in creating and maintaining a sustainable future. By exposing students to the region’s environment and culture, the Monteverde Institute hopes to generate discussion about sustainable living and helping shape a sustainable future.  For more information about the Institute, please visit their website at http://www.mvinstitute.org/

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