1. Re-energize RPI Wasteful today, sustainable tomorrow Lauren Brady-Haskell Lihao Gu Alexander Smith Peter Jones Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Environment and Politics Professor Brandon Costelloe-Kuehn

2.  Transition RPI from fossil fuels to renewables  Gradual implementation on short term to various campus infrastructures  Long term objective of complete renewable energy transition  Analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of renewable energy implementation  Determined through cost analysis, energy consumption analysis, and analyzed environmental benefits and detriments associated with each energy source  Change mindsets about energy consumption  Increase awareness of sustainability, conscientious energy usage, and the environmental detriments associated with energy consumption Aims

3. Rationale  Renewable energy is sustainable, reliable, and infinite in supply  Transitioning to renewable forms of energy would cut down RPI’s greenhouse gas emissions, electricity expenditures, and further the university towards energy independence  Environmental Benefits of Renewable Energy Usage  Reduction in carbon emissions  Reduction in air and water pollution  Countered ozone depletion  Push towards climate change reversal  Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy Usage  Increased efficiency of electricity producing system  Less Wasteful, high efficiency in energy production process  Federally supported by investment tax credits

4. Logistics  Project Phases  Secure project funding and begin implementation of renewable energy to various suitable areas on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus  Renewable energy infrastructure, in form of solar or wind capturing devices, created and connected to current energy grid  Transition phase in which energy from turbines or solar panels provides energy for the campus, as use of fossil fuels slowly ends  Full renewable energy implementation  Necessary Expertise  Electrical and environmental engineers knowledgeable in energy industry for consultation purposes  A project manager to ensure deadlines are met and RPI is satisfied  A student committee to work directly within the project and communicate with the entire student body  A cost benefit analyst to determine the return on investment

5. Logistics  Project Funding  New York Power Authority- funds energy efficiency projects throughout colleges and universities across the state, including RIT and SUNY Brockport  New York State Energy Research and Development Authority- offers state level grants  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute- budgeting of funds and alumni donations  Locations of Project Implementation  Determined through analysis of average wind speeds and maximum sunlight exposure throughout campus  Risk Factors- ability of land on hill to withstand further development of infrastructure, interruption of campus life may limit project development to between semesters

6. Logistics  Stakeholders  Students  Alumni  Solarize Troy  RPI Student Sustainability Clubs  RPI Cabinet Members  Troy City Council/Government  Federal Government  Other Universities  Renewable Energy Companies

7. Logistics  Social Alliances  Non-profit organizations- Solarize Troy  Other Universities- RIT, SUNY Brockport, University of Delaware  Trends Affecting Project  Social- green social movement  Political- liberalism, political environmentalism  Economic- hindrance of inflation, heightened need for jobs  Cultural- increasingly green society

8. Logistics  Project Barriers  Lack of funding  Without RPI budgeting, alumni donations, and government funding the project cannot occur  Slow approval process  Extensive approval process through university, local government and state government may hinder the project’s development and cause it to be expensive and time consuming  Minimal student support  Lack of interest and lack of funding may prevent project from successfully taking off  Project’s Response to Sustainability Issue  RPI would have greater reliance on renewable sources of campus electricity  Would be less reliant on environmentally destructive fossil fuel energy sources  Further the university towards energy independence  Reduce environmental impact of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute  Encourage further awareness of energy waste and consumption

9. Conclusion  Research Institutes are large emitters of green house gases  Responsibility to switch to renewable sources  Switch will have both environmental and monetary benefits  Fossil fuel scarcity and energy demand will only cause fossil fuels to rise in price  Energy security and energy independence  Reduce green house gas emissions, driver of climate change  Become leaders in the implementation of these new technologies  Expand upon the strides that have been made by other academic institutions  Push campus and community to live more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyles

10. Works Cited