Energy
Vanderbilt celebrates the end of coal
Apr. 13, 2015—Originally published by Vanderbilt News. See a video of the event here. University leaders, students, faculty and staff gathered in the shadow of the university power plant Thursday, April 9, to celebrate Vanderbilt’s conversion from coal to natural gas for its heating, cooling and electricity needs. “Our campus is a place of energy, excitement and...
Turning cellulose into biofuel: VU prof, grad student search for key on molecular level
Mar. 24, 2015—Originally published by the Vanderbilt School of Engineering found here. Brady, left, and Matt Lang, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Vanderbilt University. (Susan Urmy/Vanderbilt University) Nature exquisitely engineered a way to produce fuel from organic matter. The answer to how lies in decaying leaves on the forest floor or a backyard compost pile...
Vanderbilt Coal Free Celebration
Mar. 18, 2015—
Cheaper wind power possible through “talking” turbines
Mar. 16, 2015—Originally published by Reuters. The measurements taken inside a Vanderbilt University wind tunnel could hold the key to making wind power a viable, cost effective energy source in the future, according to Professor Doug Adams and his team of engineers. Inside a massive 20,000 square foot laboratory, Adams and his team fitted inertial sensors on two...
Inaugural Commons Unplugged Week includes Green Forum and Green Fair
Feb. 11, 2015—The first-ever Commons Unplugged environmental awareness week, from Sunday, February 15 to Saturday February 21, 2015 will celebrate sustainability, natural resource conservation and energy conservation through various events focusing on Vanderbilt’s first-year student population. Commons Unplugged is co-sponsored by The Ingram Commons, in partnership with the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office and the School for...
Dr. Randy Blakely’s lab wins 2015 basketball “Greenest Group on Campus” award
Feb. 11, 2015—Read the MyVU story here. Dr. Randy Blakely’s lab group has been named winner of the 2015 Vanderbilt Basketball Sustainability Competition. Dr. Blakely’s lab staff celebrated their title of “greenest group on campus” at the Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina basketball game Feb. 7 with a catered hospitality event, tickets to the game, an autographed basketball...
Energy conservation urged as temperatures plummet
Jan. 7, 2015—Read the Vanderbilt News story here. A polar vortex will bring bitterly cold weather to Nashville this week and with it an unusually increased demand for energy on campus. The demand is expected to peak between 9 a.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Friday. Plant Operations is asking the Vanderbilt community to take small steps for...
Vanderbilt Power Plant Now Coal Free
Dec. 17, 2014—Read the Vanderbilt News article here. At 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 19, the Vanderbilt co-generation power plant burned off its last lump of coal! The plant, which produces 23 percent of Vanderbilt’s electricity, 90 percent of its heat and 40 percent of its cooling, now runs exclusively on natural gas. The decommissioning of the plant’s last...
Power down before leaving for the holidays
Dec. 5, 2014—See the MyVU story here. Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff who are going to be away from their residence halls, offices, classrooms or homes for an extended period of time over the holidays should remember to shut off lights and appliances, unplug electronics, and lower thermostats before leaving. Doing so is a great way to...
SPEAR named greenest group on campus
Nov. 13, 2014—Read the Vanderbilt News story here. The Vanderbilt student organization Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (SPEAR) has been named winner of the 2014 football sustainability competition and can boast the title “greenest group on campus.” The group celebrated its win with a VIP catered tailgate before the Nov. 8 home football game versus Florida...