Week 8

Through many tenuous hours of learning how to use SimaPro, the group manage to start the finishing touches to the project, by doing the calculations of the general freshman of Drexel. Below, there are also some substantial information regarding the sustainability here at Drexel. Presented in Drexel Sustainability, there is efficiency, reduction, and recycling. Additionally to Drexel Sustainability, there is information regarding the average water usage.

Drexel Sustainability

EFFICIENCY

Drexel University is one of the leading schools in terms of using alternative energy, becoming one of the first universities to purchase wind powered energy, and signing a contract with Community Energy in January 2011 to purchase 100 % of its energy strictly from wind energy. Drexel has also committed to reducing its carbon footprint by at least 80% by the year 2050. Drexel University is also one of the more efficient schools with applications like the Biowall, serving as a natural air filter, as well as built in automation systems that control lighting schedules and temperature controls. Even the campus police are efficient, as they use environmentally – friendly battery powered Chariots and Segways to patrol the grounds. Among some of the other innovations, such as the Rain Bird immigration system, it is responsible for measuring moisture in the soil and activating zoned sprinklers [11].

REDUCTION

Drexel also plays a huge part in the reduction of CO2 , because of the university efforts, over 1,802,087 pounds of CO2 are avoided annually by reducing the amount of electricity used on campus. From the wind energy that Drexel has purchased, 5,348,305 pounds of CO2 emissions are avoided annually. In total this means that 7,150,392 pounds of CO2 are avoided annually with considerable amounts of SO2 and NOx emissions are avoided as well. The university is also one of the first to install digital controls into their buildings, allowing for lights, temperature, and some lab equipment to be controlled digitally [11].

RECYCLING

Drexel’s recycling programs also help in removing fallen tree limbs, cut grass and other waste and develop into compost for later use. All of the cooking oils used at the dining centers are converted into biofuels. 100% of the milk used at these dining facilities comes from Pennsylvania dairy cows, while many local farms provide Drexel with fresh fruits and vegetables. Also materials like paper, glass and other materials are recycle into fluorescent lamps, motor oil, and even printer fluid [11]!

Average Water Usage

The graphs below are based on the data that is given by The American Water Works Association [12]. The data was counted in gdp and the total was 151.6 ± 40.8. The toilet and washing machine are used most often of an individual. In addition, a great amount of water is lost because of leakage, but due to the fact that each house has a different pipe condition, the leaking problem may have a big percentage error.