Energy

Students interested in sustainability and energy can apply to attend the Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy (SISE) hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago Energy Initiative from August 3-16, 2017.

There is no program fee for participants. Everyone that attends receives free lodging, and many receive some support for travel. Applications are accepted through June 15 from senior-level undergrads, grad students and professionals from all academic backgrounds. 

A group of UW students, working with the UW Sustainability office, created a short video with animation explaining the research of Dr. Daniel Kirschen of the UW's Clean Energy Institute, who works on using batteries to address the challenges of incorporating renewable energy into the grid. Enjoy!

Whether we like to admit it or not, the burning of fossils has negatively impacted our environment for quite some time now. And although we can do our part in reducing our carbon footprint, alleviating the large-scale effects of global warming lies within the grasps of the U.S. government and fossil fuel companies who follow the guidelines our administration sets.

Currently, there is no incentive for companies to use cleaner energy, let alone stricter regulations or laws calling for cleaner practices, allowing corporations to keep reaping the benefits of fossil fuel production.

Two sustainability-focused groups at the University of Washington, UW-Solar and the Green Greek Representative Program, are collaborating on a project that has sunny prospects and dazzling potential. Essentially, the two groups will be working together to determine opportunities for solar power in the UW Greek Community.

There is a secret and unassuming energy hog lurking throughout our campus, consuming vast amounts of electricity. They are out of sight, but can be found in our buildings’... server rooms. Wilson Waldrop, IT Director of the Department of Physics, has been working with his team to make the Physics server room dramatically more efficient. 

There are thousands of light bulbs on campus, which use energy and regularly burn out or fail. The UW's maintenance electricians are addressing both issues with a program to upgrade campus lights to LED bulbs, which are more efficient and longer-lasting than traditional lights.

The team recently swapped out more than 200 lights on the IMA's squash and racquetball courts, which will reduce power consumption by 78%. Kane and Meany halls have also gotten LED upgrades. 

By Mishu Pham-Whipple

Investing in buildings to save energy and money has become the norm across institutional and residential domains. As part of an energy conservation effort, the University of Washington has retrofitted light fixtures across campus and measured significant energy and cost savings. What has yet to be measured, however, is how lighting retrofits improve occupant satisfaction and productivity.

Green Husky Award nominee Katie Corp is working to make clean energy accessible.

As a graduate student, Corp is researching new materials to use solar energy in splitting water. As a Clean Energy Ambassador with UW's Clean Energy Institute, she connects with high school and middle school students to share her passion for science and clean energy. Her leadership in the program led to her being nominated for a Husky Green Award.

The first rebates for labs which have purchased Stirling Ultra Low Freezers rebates have arrived.

A mountain of cookies and thermoses full of coffee gave the dozens of students, faculty, and community members who gathered in Johnson Hall an energy boost as they prepared to learn about the future of the U.S. energy industry and a transition away from coal.