Energy
Introduction:
Who we are and our goals
We are the Energy Quartet, we are a group that cares and advocates for the use of sustainable/renewable energy. Our goals are to change the outlook of society on these energies to bring about a clean and safe environment for our communities, cities, states, and most importantly the world. To meet our goals, we've identified that the Sustainable Agriculture Project needs more efficient, cleaner energy. Currently, it doesn't seem like renewable/green energy isn’t a top priority. We’ve decided to take action on this because we believe being a leader/trailblazer for this area will inspire others to follow suit.
Approach 1
Construct the event centers with renewable energy sources so that it has net 0 emissions, in addition to other sustainability features outlined by the LEED organization.
U.S. Department of Energy:
Simplifying the “Going-Solar” Process Video
A1 Possibility 1
Install Solar panels on the roof of the upcoming Grand Valley State University Sustainable Agriculture Project events center.
A1 Possibility 2
Install solar panel strips on the property north of the Sustainable Agriculture Project.
A1 Prototype for Possibility 1:
Model Image of the Events Center
The previous house used for events at the Sustainable Agriculture Project has been torn down and will soon be replaced with a dedicated events center. The events center probably will not look like this house. But this image gives a rough idea of how a newly built structure with slick-looking solar panels on the roof might look from the road passing the Grand Valley State University Sustainable Agriculture Project. This construction of solar energy atop the proposed event center could be completed following "Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar" from the Government Energy Website. The following source lays out guidelines on how to install and how to communicate with your energy provider to install and connect your solar project.
The first image shows the front yard of the Sustainable Agriculture Project as it was in 2019 before the house was subsequently torn down.
Image credit: Photo taken from google maps 2019 street view.
Image credit: Photo taken from google maps, house taken from http://winnors.in/
A1 Prototype for Possibility 2:
Solar Panel Quantities on Ground Space
Satellite images show how different possible quantities of solar panels would look from the sky.
Approach 2
Grand Valley State University can buy enough additional solar power from the nearby Consumers Energy Farm on top of what it already buys to run the Sustainable Agriculture Project completely on solar energy, connecting to existing and accessible energy systems.
A2 Prototype 1:
Storyboard Presentation
Details the possibilities for the Sustainable Agriculture Project that could arise if we were to work more intensively with Consumers Energy and their solar garden. Other similar/related routes are also elaborated on. Applications like these were seen in previous Grand Valley State University Projects like "Students build solar devices for Rural Hospital in Africa" In 2017.
Consumers Energy:
Collaboration with GVSU Solar Garden Video
Approach 3
Adjust pre-existing programs and practices to better fit the goal of overall energy efficiency at the SAP.
A3 Prototype 1
By adding to the existing Laker Line, an option will become available for helping the Sustainable Agriculture Project for people with no mode of transportation available to them at the time as seen in figure 1 below. Inclusion and equity are a must for any action forward towards energy sustainability at the Sustainable Agriculture Project and at Grand Valley State University. This idea of pushing to public transit in a way to become more energy sustainable as a society was supported and shown in Jaden Cloobeck's "Public transportation is the way to go."
"...if you care about the environment and climate, then choosing public transportation is a sustainable option compared to cars and planes. SEPTA is investing in solar power and electric buses. As of October 2021, Amtrak is 46% more energy efficient than driving a car." (Cloobeck, 2021)
Figure 1: Ideal Route for Sustainable Agriculture Project Inclusion in the Lake Line. Image credit: Google.com/Maps
A3 Prototype 2
For better communication with students and other members of our community riding the Laker Line, we would be posting adverts on the bus interior and/or exterior to sponsor the Sustainable Agriculture Project and its new connection to the Laker Line for ease of access and inclusion/equity in our community. This is seen in figure 2 below.
Figure 2:
Draft Adverts for Laker Line Connection to the Sustainable Agriculture Project.
(Image Credit: Originally Generated)
In Conclusion
Our first approach, if adopted, would provide Grand Valley with long-term energy infrastructure that will generate electricity for the university for years to come. Installing solar panels on the school-owned property, or incorporating them into the construction of the events center, will save Grand Valley money in the long run. The solar panels can also serve as a physically visible symbol of Grand Valley's commitment to moving towards renewable energy and long-term sustainability. This plan calls for the most ambitious, and direct action out of all of our programs. Because of this, it would also likely be the most costly.
In terms of our second approach, connecting with existing outside infrastructure would allow for the Sustainable Agriculture Project to expand its horizons as well as its possibilities to be more sustainable and create new opportunities. Consumers Energy has already kickstarted an important project for the local area that could inspire innovation and overall educational engagement for members of Grand Valley State University as well as the community.
Lastly, in our proposed third approach, this promotion/investment in sustainability will offer better inclusion and equity for the Sustainable Agriculture Project and increase assistance in the Sustainable Agriculture Project endeavors due to ease of access. The proposed bus routes and flyers, should create awareness and expand on what the campus already has to create more sustainable opportunities in our community without increasing carbon emissions if everyone was traveling independently.
Thank you so much for taking the time to view our webpage; please feel free to leave any questions or feedback!
-Energy Quartet
References
Cloobeck, J. (2021, November 8). Jaden Cloobeck: Public transportation is the way to go. The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.thedp.com/article/2021/11/septaphiladelphia-public-transit-upenn.
Grand Valley State University. Energy Projects - Facilities Services - Allendale - Grand Valley State University. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.gvsu.edu/facilitiesservices/allendale/energy-projects-58.htm.
Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar. Energy.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-going-solar.
Solar Gardens: Consumers Energy. Solar Gardens | Consumers Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/renewableenergy/solar gardensutm_source=solargardens&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=solargardens&utm_conent=solargardens.
Students build solar devices for Rural Hospital in Africa. GV Next. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.gvsu.edu/gvnext/2017/students-buildsolar-devices-for-ruralhospital-in 9770.htm.
