Week 10

Conclusion:

Group015-03 is ready for the presentation. As for the lab report, it's preceding rough but I believe we can finish on time.

Thank you message:

I would like to thank everybody that supported us. I would also like to thank my group members: Amon, Hong, and Runjie for all their work they contributed and the assistance that allowed the project to be completed on time. I would also like to thank our TA, Ghasideh Pourhashem, for all the valuable feedback she gave. I can now say that this project has finally come to a close. 

We have concluded that the daily emission or carbon footprint of a Drexel Freshman is 710g.

Week 9

SimaPro calculations have been finished!

The work presented underneath shows the carbon footprint of Drexel students, specifically freshmen. There are two links which give the data of the impact assessment on students.

SimaPro - IPCC GWP 100a link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AopvLsAuUIPqdDlYYkVjbmlXMDY2OU00UDA3Q2hPTVE

SimaPro - Specification per Substance link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AopvLsAuUIPqdGJwRXNkbC1FRmxKSThLSlZUMElCZVE


The first graph underneath shows the number of kg of each gas that is produce. Looking at the first graph, carbon dioxide flat out wins as the most produced gas of Drexel freshmen students. Moving on to the second picture, this graph show the percentage of each activity that is done in one day. The percentage is piled on top of one another which shows a bar. Looking at the bar, the most pollutant causing factor stands out more in while the least causing factor of pollution is not visible. Lastly, the chart map below shows the possible pollutant in creating the items we used or electricity we use, in this case, it is of the typical Drexel Freshman student. 

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.

Week 7

The results have been updated!

Here is the new updated statistics of the survey. The survey is out of 74 people which is a decent amount of responses and an excellent gathering considering the target audience is of Drexel's Freshmen.

Survey Statistics Part 2

For a better detailed view of the results, a compiled visual form of each question was made. The visual results can be found here:

http://du2012-grp015-03.blogspot.com/p/visual-forms-of-each-question.html

Also, this link can be found in the tabs menu, next to references.

Week 6

There have been a few changes added to this blog. As viewers can see, there is a fancy animated slideshow on the front page. This slideshow will express the amazing activities that this group has been doing! Please look forward to that! Additionally, a "Terms to Know" and "Full Survey" have been added to the tabs section above. Another addition is the link to the online survey can be found on the side bar for easier access.

In addition to the changes to the blog, research on the sources of electricity in Pennsylvania was found:
 

Energy we are using

According to the researched, the tables below show the fuel source used to generate electric power in USA and Pennsylvania. From the data we gathered we build a table listed below (Note that the data is from 2005 and is the latest data that is available):

Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation in Pennsylvania in 2005

Energy source	summer capacity(Megawatts)	Percentage
Coal	18659	42%
Hydroelectric	748	2%
Natural Gas	9400	21%
Nuclear	9195	20%
Other Biomass	344	1%
Other Gases	110	0%
Petroleum	4604	10%
Pumped Storage	1505	3%
Wind	223	0%
Wood and Wood Derived Fuels	108	0%

Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation in the United States in 2005

ENERGY SOURCE	SUMMER CAPACITY (Megawatts)	Percentage
Coal	313380	32%
Geothermal	2285	0%
Hydroelectric	77541	8%
Natural Gas	383061	39%
Nuclear	99988	10%
Other	887	0%
Other Biomass	3609	0%
Other Gases	2063	0%
Petroleum	58548	6%
Pumped Storage	21347	2%
Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic	411	0%
Wind	8706	1%
Wood and Wood Derived Fuels	6193	1%

Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation in the United States in 2010

ENERGY SOURCE	SUMMER CAPACITY (Megawatts)	Percentage
Coal	18481	41%
Hydroelectric	747	2%
Natural Gas	9415	21%
Nuclear	9540	21%
Other Biomass	424	1%
Other Gases	100	0%
Petroleum	4534	10%
Pumped Storage	1521	3%
Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic	9	0%
Wind	696	2%
Wood and Wood Derived Fuels	108	0%

Comparing the data in 2005 with the data in 2010 it has been found that that the use of non –renewable resources like coal, petroleum and gas has declined significantly. Simultaneously, there has been an increase of usage in nuclear power and renewable resources, contributing to the reduction of the general population’s carbon footprint.

From the database and our calculations, we have discovered a relationship between the amount of electricity we use and the emission of the carbon dioxide caused by the electricity generation in Pennsylvania. The summer capacity of Pennsylvania was 45575 megawatts. About 40.5% came from coal, 20.9% came from nuclear power, 20.7% came from natural gas, 9.9% came from petroleum, rest about 10% came from other energy source such as solar, wind or hydroelectric.

From the data from EngineeringToolBox.com, burning 1 kg of coal will release 7.5 kWh of energy, and in the meantime, it will also release 2.3 kg of CO2. 1 kg of petroleum (diesel) will release 11.8 kWh of energy and 3.2 kg of CO2. 1 kg of natural gas will release 12 kWh of energy and 2.8 kg of CO2. After computing the amount of energy as well as the amount of CO2, we’ve found that: for coal, producing 1 kWh of energy will release 0.37 kg of CO2; for petroleum (diesel), producing 1 kWh of energy will release 0.24 kg of CO2.

Week 5

An additional survey have been made and printed out. In this survey, it includes all the previous questions that can be found on the online survey but with three additional questions. The online survey only allows up to ten questions, therefore limiting the amount of feedback that can be received. As for the online surveys, a few number of  survey's have been filled out and the group is waiting for more. With the results, we will plan to use next week to calculate the carbon footprint of Drexel students.

The current statistics of the replied survey's are shown:
This statistics exclude the survey's gathered from 2 group members and the online surveys. The reason that these portions are excluded is due to the fact that the information are still being gathered.  

 This response is out of 16.

Survey Statistics Part 1

Once the group meet in class, the surveys will be readjusted and visual statistics will be made.

An updated version can be accessed under the "Current Statistics" tab.

Week 4

A survey is created, the question are based around the daily activities of students that could impact the environment in a certain form (e.g shower, electronic usage, etc). Since the survey is based around Drexel students, the questions are based on what student do during their stay in Drexel University. The survey has been published and a wait period is in progress for student responses. The survey can be found here:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HXDW5XW

The survey is published through both print and online. Once a satisfaction amount of replies have been received, or a duration of one week has passed, the group will used the survey results and proceed to calculating Drexel student's carbon footprint.

Online version: