environmental protection agency

This article, originally published in @theu, February 12, 2020, was written by Kate Whitbeck, Communications Manager, Sustainability Office

The Green Power Partnership Top 30 College & University ranking, released Jan. 27, 2020, lists the U as No. 8, with 49% of its energy supplied through geothermal and solar power purchase agreements. The U stands out among those listed for its use of geothermal energy. The Green Power Partnership Program—a voluntary EPA program—encourages green power use to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use.

“In terms of total kilowatt hours per year, the U is now second in the nation for largest long-term contracts among colleges and universities,” said Chris Benson, associate director of Sustainability & Energy in Facilities Management. “This accomplishment for our campus has been a collaborative effort across departments. We are committed to using sustainable energy at the U and this geothermal purchase brings campus that much closer to reaching our carbon neutrality goal before 2050.”

As of Nov. 1, 2019—through a partnership with Utah-based Cyrq Energy and Rocky Mountain Power—a geothermal plant in Nevada now supplies campus with 20 megawatts of geothermal energy and will do so the next 25 years.

With this contract and the power generated by existing on-campus solar projects, the U’s annual green power purchase rises to 161,671,969 kilowatt hours (kWh). This is the equivalent to powering almost 19,000 homes in Utah.

This is the first time in its history the University of Utah will receive over half of its electricity from clean renewable sources. Total carbon emissions will be reduced by 23%.

“We are very fortunate to have the support and expertise of Cyrq Energy and Rocky Mountain Power,” said Keith Diaz-Moore, interim chief sustainability officer. “Their expertise paired with our Sustainability & Energy Management team in Facilities have allowed us to reach this benchmark. Improving energy efficiency on our campus is an ongoing effort and the University of Utah is dedicated to identifying new opportunities and partnerships to meet its carbon neutrality commitments.”

Carbon neutrality

In April 2019, President Ruth Watkins signed the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments and joined UC3 (University Climate Change Coalition) renewing the U’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and placing the institution on a path toward resilience and adaptation.

Reaching carbon neutrality is a complex process requiring a coordinated, multipronged approach. Steps include increasing the energy efficiency of existing assets, replacing targeted assets, in addition to ensuring that energy is coming from clean and renewable sources. The university is shifting away from the use of natural gas for heating systems in buildings and moving towards greater use of electricity.

When 100% of our electricity on campus is renewably sourced this creates the potential for zero-emission, carbon-neutral buildings.

Why geothermal energy?

Geothermal power plants harness heat that occurs naturally underground. The heat is pumped out of the ground in the form of hot water or steam and used to drive a turbine that generates electricity.

With all of its classrooms, labs, and healthcare facilities, the University of Utah needs power 24 hours a day. In Utah, most electricity is generated by natural gas and coal-fired power plants. Despite advances in technology, coal-fired power plants remain a significant source of air pollution and emissions. Solar and wind generated electricity are great alternatives but when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow, energy must be provided by other sources like coal. Geothermal energy produces a constant “baseload power source” with no gaps in energy production. For this reason, geothermal is an excellent complement to wind and solar.

“This visionary commitment to convert to renewable energy sets a valuable precedent for universities around the country,” said Nick Goodman, CEO of Cyrq Energy, the company providing the geothermal power for the University of Utah. “This groundbreaking project shows a significant dedication to geothermal energy, 100% renewable and green. Cyrq Energy is proud to be providing this renewable energy and helping the university meet its goals.”

To read more about the Soda Lake Geothermal Field and Plant, click here.

What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal energy harnesses the heat that naturally occurs hundreds of feet beneath the Earth’s surface in a closed loop system. Wells are drilled in areas where natural hotspots are closer to the surface and easier to access. Pipes are inserted and cooler surface water is injected into the earth and then pumped to a power generating facility on the surface as hot water—around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat from the water vaporizes a secondary liquid (usually isobutane) with a lower boiling point. This vapor drives a turbine which generates electricity. In this type of plant, both the water and the secondary liquid are continually recycled.

Where is the facility?

The Soda Lake Geothermal Field is located on the northeast flank of the Soda Lakes volcano, west of the city of Fallon, Nevada. The first Soda Lake geothermal power plant came online in 1987. The power plant generating power for the University of Utah is new but uses the existing well. Compared to the original plant, upgrades in technology substantially increased capacity and reduce downtime.

What are the benefits of geothermal energy production?

Geothermal energy produces a constant “baseload power source” with no gaps in energy production. With all of its classrooms, labs, and healthcare facilities, the University of Utah needs power 24 hours a day. In Utah, most electricity is generated by coal-fired and natural gas power plants. Despite advances in technology, coal-fired power plants are still a significant source of air pollution and emissions. When the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining, renewable energy sources like solar and wind aren’t producing electricity and energy must be provided by other sources like coal. For this reason, geothermal is an excellent complement to wind and solar.

Does the University of Utah actually get the electrons?

No, the electrons produced are delivered to the regional electric power grid. The University of Utah has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA), which from an accounting perspective, means the university is buying these electrons. All buildings, organizations, companies, municipalities and cities receive electrons from the electrical grid that is closest to their physical location. However, because new renewable energy is being provided to the grid, less energy from other non-renewable sources like coal needs to be produced. As a system, this means fewer greenhouse gases are emitted. Power plants are held accountable for every electron generated to make sure that it correlates to the usage of the customer.

What is a power purchase agreement?

A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a legal contract between an electricity generator (provider) and a power purchaser (buyer). The university has entered into a 25-year PPA with Cyrq Energy to purchase 20 megawatts (MW) of power that offsets approximately half of the electricity used by the University of Utah. This is actually a three-way contract that includes our partners at Rocky Mountain Power.

Why is this power purchase agreement (PPA) significant?

This purchase agreement will reduce the university’s carbon emissions by 23%. This is the first and largest long-term geothermal power purchase agreement for an educational institution such as the University of Utah, a tier-one research institution and hospital with significant electricity needs.

Who are the partners and what are their roles?

Rocky Mountain Power continues to be a vital partner for the University of Utah as the regional utility that provides all of the electricity to the University of Utah Campus. RMP owns and maintains the infrastructure that transmits power throughout the State. Rocky Mountain Power also ensures that the university experiences no interruptions in power and continues to deliver electricity from other generators within its network.

CYRQ Energy is a developer, owner and operator of geothermal plants in the western United States. They own and operate the Soda Lake Plant in Fallon, Nevada which is generating the power purchased by the University of Utah.

Is geothermal energy more expensive than electricity produced by other means?

Yes, by a negligible amount. However, this PPA guarantees the University of Utah a long-term source of renewable energy at a fixed rate. If the price of coal or natural gas rises in the future, this PPA will help insulate the university from a rise in electricity costs.

Where does this place the U in terms of rankings?

In terms of overall kilowatt hours, the U is ranked No. 8 for largest green power users among higher education institutions in this program. The U also holds the second largest long-term contract among higher education institutions that participate in the Green Power Partnership program.

What happens if the plant shuts down or has technical problems?

There will be no interruption in service to the University of Utah if the Cyrq plant shuts down for routine maintenance or repairs. Because there are many sources of back up electricity that can supply power to the grid, single plant shutdowns do not have any direct impact on the overall electricity supply. Rocky Mountain Power has an adequate supply of power to continue uninterrupted service to compensate for routine shutdowns.

Do geothermal power plants cause earthquakes?

Any underground activity, such as drilling new geothermal wells or pumping water out of a well has the potential to create small seismic events. During the first year or two, new wells can experience small seismic events of magnitudes around 1.0, typically not felt at the surface. This is a result of the pressurized water flowing in new patterns. The Soda Lake Geothermal Field has been online for 30 years and is well-studied and closely monitored. Safety procedures are in place to minimize the seismic impact of geothermal energy production.

Do geothermal power plants pollute groundwater?

Media Contacts

Keith Diaz Moore | interim chief sustainability officer and dean, College of Architecture + Planning
Office: 801-585-1766 diazmoore@utah.edu

Chris Benson | sustainability & energy associate director, Facilities Management
Office: 801-414-1258 chris.benson@utah.edu

Shawn Wood | communications specialist, University of Utah Communications
Office: 801-585-9244 shawn.wood@utah.edu

This article, originally published in @theu, November 13, 2019, was written by Kate Whitbeck, communications, sustainability department.

Did you know that one of the easiest low cost and most effective ways to impact climate change is to change our consumption habits? An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded study indicates that more than 40% of our climate impact in the U.S. comes from our stuff and our food. There is an energy and emissions cost to manufacturing, transporting, using goods and then eventually disposing of them. Simply reusing, reducing, recycling and buying used or recycled goods conserves energy and reduces emissions.

More than 40% of our climate impact in the U.S. comes from our stuff and our food.

– Environmental Protection Agency

Millie Heiner, sustainability ambassador, presents a zero waste kit to President Ruth Watkins.

In an effort to promote a culture of waste reduction on campus, the Sustainability Office has launched the #UBYO campaign to encourage the U community to bring their own reusable bottles, mugs, containers, utensils and more to reduce plastic waste. We handed out thousands of reusable utensil kits at new student orientation events and the farmers market and gave away 12 zero-waste kits through an opportunity drawing. We even presented U President Ruth Watkins with a zero waste kit. Each kit contains a reusable hot/cold bottle, reusable silicone bag (plastic bag alternative), handkerchief (reusable napkin), reusable grocery bag, utensils and reusable silicone food container. Many of the items are available at the Campus Store or can be assembled from items you already have at home or can pick up at your favorite thrift store.

In order to start a conversation around waste reduction on campus and in honor of America Recycles Day, which takes place in November, the Sustainability Office is organizing a Hinckley Institute Panel entitled The End of Recycling? Life After National Sword on Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 12-1 p.m. The panel will explore how policy changes in China have affected our local recycling practices and what we can expect for the future. Panel participants include Beau Peck, director of sales and marketing from the Pro Recycling Group, Jennifer Farrell from Salt Lake City Waste and Recycling Division and Joshua James, University of Utah recycling manager.

It is important to understand the link between climate change and waste reduction, and the energy and emissions savings we can gain from reducing and recycling. According to the EPA, recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy needed to make new cans from raw materials. Recycling steel and tin cans saves 60-74%; paper about 60%, and plastic and glass about 33% compared to making those from raw materials. While these energy savings are significant, we also need to recognize that recycling has its own carbon footprint related to collection, transportation and processing. Reducing, reusing and sharing should always come before recycling.

An environmentally friendly kit made for U. Available now at the Campus Store.

Some people are intimidated by the concept of zero waste. While zero waste is generally defined as diverting 90% or above from the landfill, it can still feel like an unachievable goal. Fortunately, the reality is that many people making a concerted but imperfect effort has a much greater effect than one person reaching zero. Zero doesn’t have to be everyone’s goal. Making good choices when possible can be the goal.

The other good thing about changing consumption habits is that it’s within everyone’s reach and can save you money. Not everyone can afford an electric car or has the ability to make major changes to our power grid or transportation system. The movement isn’t about buying. Choosing to borrow, reuse and share keeps money in your wallet and keeps your carbon footprint low.

The University is taking a close look at its waste habits and focusing on some new strategies to divert more from the landfill. See the text box below for some highlights and take action by joining the #UBYO Campaign or get your office certified through our Green Office Program.

Waste wins at the U

The U has identified some new priorities for managing its waste based on a recently completed study. These include an overhaul of signage, a food waste collection pilot program and the development of a more effective system to incentivize waste reduction and recycling.
Since the launch of the Green Office Certification program in 2017, ecofriendly purchasing of general office supplies has increased from 35% to 53% and ecofriendly paper purchasing has increased from 38% to 79%.
Each year, the Sustainability Office coordinates U Recycle Day, an electronic waste drive which diverts tons of waste from the landfill.
The annual housing moveout donation drive (aka WAGACA – What Goes Around Comes Around) diverts food, clothing, blankets, and more from the residence halls each May.
The University Carpenter Shop is committed to creative reuse. They reclaim materials from buildings that are being demolished or remodeled and repurpose them. The desks below are made of marble from OSH and wood from basketball courts and harvested from trees (sycamores) displaced by new construction.

Sustainability