Renewable Energy
Fund
What
is the REF?
The
Renewable Energy Fund (REF) was created in 2000 by the Northland
College Student Association (NCSA) as a representation of the student's
commitment to Northland's environmental commitment. The fund,
which sits at around $25,000 annually, is directed at green energy
projects that further the college towards its goal of energy neutrality.
How
does the REF work?
All
full time students pay a $20 per semester fee levied by NCSA, which
appears on your tuition bill. In the winter semester,
Environmental Council works with NCSA and any interested students to
pick an appropriate project for that year's fund. Once the
project is picked, Environmental Council takes on the task of seeing
the project to completion.
How can I get
involved?
If
you are interested in taking part in the 2006 REF project, then join us
in Environmental Council or stay involved with NCSA, either way you are
guaranteed to keep abreast of the project!
What
are some past REF projects?
Even
though the REF is only 5 years old, we are proud that it has already
made progress on campus. The very first project of the REF
was
the installation of the solar hot-water panels that are located on the
south side of the pool building. In its second year, students
directed the fund at several smaller projects including the purchasing
of equipment to monitor output of the green energy systems on the
McLean Environmental Living and Learning Center (MELLC), a monetary
gift to the college to help with the installation of he geothermal
system on the Ponzio, the planting of shade trees, and the creation of
signage to identify green features on campus (still in progress).
The last two years' funds have been combined for a total just
shy
of $50,000 to install an evacuated tube water heating system on
McMillan Hall to provide hot water for showers (still in progress).
What
is an evacuated tube system?
An
evacuated tube system is a very efficient means of extracting solar
energy and heating water to very high temperatures. Instead
of
using a traditional flat plate system like the one for the pool, an
evacuated tube system is comprised of an array of glass tubes, where
each element is approximately 6" in diameter and a variety of lengths.
Each tube encapsulates a high vacuum, a thin copper tube that
runs its length, and some sort of darkened metal find attached to the
copper tube. The vacuum serves as insulation so that when
solar
energy strikes the metal fin, the energy is transferred to the copper
pipe instead of being radiated back out into the air.
The
copper
tube itself is hollow and contains about a tablespoon of fluid.
As it gathers energy, the fluid becomes superheated and moves
up
the pipe until it comes to the end of the tube. There, the
heat
is transferred into circulating water, which subsequently moves the
heat into hot water holding units. Back in the copper pipe,
the
fluid that has now transferred its heat energy moves back down the pipe
and back into the sun where the cycle starts again.
These
systems are far more efficient that the traditional flat plate
collectors - especially in northern climates. IN addition,
evacuated tube systems can actually raise the temperature of the
circulating water to its boiling point - a feat difficult if not
impossible for a traditional flat plate collector to accomplish.
"Accordingly,
I propose
that every school, college, and university stand up and be counted on
the issue of climatic change by beginning now to develop plans to
reduce and eventually eliminate or offset the emission of heat-trapping
gases by the year 2020" David Orr.
Proposed abstract for the 2005 Greening of the Campus
conference. "Engaging
Students in Reducing Campus Fossil Fuel Use"