University of Toledo Toledo, Environmental Education - Energy Scott Park Campus for Energy and Innovation

SCHOOL is a public 4-year public metropolitan with 25,000 plus students in Toledo, Ohio.

ABSTRACT The Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation is a 21st century energy research and education facility that will be the premier location for energy solutions and business locations. The primary areas of emphasis are: energy research and solutions; experiential learning; environmental care; commercializing knowledge and building business; and meeting state and national imperatives. The 177 acres on the Scott Park Campus for Energy and Innovation has 60,000 plus square feet of existing classroom and laboratory space, with active energy researcher expertise in solar energy and resident expertise in other areas of advanced renewable Energy research such as fuel cells, biomass conversion, wind energy, and electricity storage. To support 21st century learning for the community and the campus will be the demonstration site and hands-on learning site for energy sustainability and efficiency for UT’s School of Solar and Advanced Renewable Energy and sustainability courses. The campus will feature: 1.12 MW ground solar installation, 1 MW energy storage (integrated wind and solar), smart grid with campus-wide interactive metering and sub-metering, geothermal heat and LED lighting, electric vehicle infrastructure and vehicle conversions, and biomass conversion and gasification. Another 40,000 square feet on the Scott Park Campus is rentable business office space and there are 80+ acres of shovel-ready land for business development.

GOALS AND OUTCOMES Goals The project is currently in Phase I which costs $2,211,000 and consists of: 1) locations for community and student education and involvement; 2) laboratories and sites for advanced energy research (offshore wind farms, effects of ice on 2 blade turbine design, proof of concept of energy production/storage technologies); 3) installation and demonstration of advanced energy (1.12 MW ground solar on 8 acres, 80 KW wind turbine/grid tied, 4 – 20 KW photovoltaic install/grid tied, 1 MW of energy storage, visual demonstrations for biomass conversion, and campus wide interactive metering); 4) energy efficiency and retrofit demos (investment grade audit of entire campus, geothermal and LED lighting); and 5) installation of an electric vehicle infrastructure (charging stations, sub- metering, and vehicle conversions). Phase I completion is December 31 st 2009. Phase II main objective is renewable generation equal to current Scott Park campus usage – 1MW (carbon footprint neutral campus, offsite sighting of renewable, implementation of Phase I research studies). Phase III is a five year plan that will generate renewable energy to make three of UT campuses carbon footprint neutral – 25MW. Total project cost for all three phases is approx $69 million.

Accomplishments and Outcomes Phase II energy cost savings for one 1MW power generation is approximately $500,000. This phase should be complete at the end of 2010.

Challenges and Responses Challenges of this Scott Park Campus of Energy and Innovation include: the integration of the various alternative energy resources that are grid tied, finding ways to uniquely use the tax credits and legislation, and showing how important the project is to advancing true energy solutions.

Campus Climate Action: Your School’s Carbon Footprint UT is in the process of completing the Campus Carbon Calculator through the Clean Air-Cool Planet on- line Campus Climate Action Toolkit (CCAT). This process is scheduled to be completed by early 2010.

Commentary and Reflection External partnerships with the community and integration of community development planning in such a large project are key for true economic impact.

ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT Leaders and Supporters The university had a RFP (request for proposal) process for the project that brought together a consortium of companies to address the project. Bottomline Resource Technologies and Plugsmart Technologies are the lead collaborators on the project. Many internal faculty and student groups are involved in the research and curricular aspects of the project.

Funding and Resources The project has a variety of state, federal, and private resources. Fundraising is ongoing.

Education and Community Outreach At the beginning of the project, key community partners were sought for support and inclusion. These entities include various groups in industry, business, and government. Industrial partners include: First Energy, Bryson Tucker Electric, IFACTS, Integrys, CLT Efficient Technologies Group, Bottomline Resource Technologies, Plugsmart Technologies, UTEC – University of Toledo Energy Corporation. Research and federal agency partners include: Ohio Department of Development, Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NASA Glenn, Airforce Research Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture. Community and educational partners include: Regional Growth Partnership, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Toledo Public Schools, Lucas County Commissioners, City of Toledo, City of Oregon, Bowling Green State University, , Northwest State Community College, and Toledo Black Bureau of Commerce. Many presentations have been given to surrounding neighborhood groups and business organizations.

National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program Online case study database and the new campus ecology reports were very useful to the project.

CONTACT INFORMATION Contacts Chuck Lehnert, VP of Facilities and Construction, 419-530-1447, [email protected]

Case study submitted by: D’Naie Jacobs, University of Toledo Innovation Enterprises, 419-383-6978, [email protected]

MORE ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL Campus Sustainability History The University has several other sustainability initiatives relating to campus greening programs

National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2009 2 including signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and participating in the College Sustainability Report Card through the Sustainable Endowments Institute.

National Wildlife Federation • Campus Ecology • 2009 3