Next in the 2015 Ohio Sustainable Farm Tour and Workshop Series: A five-day solar electric workshop at OEFFA’s office in the Ohio Lumbermen’s Building, 41 Croswell Road, Columbus. The focus: In-depth, hands-on lectures and labs on designing and installing a photovoltaic system for your home or farm. “At the end of the week,” the tour blurb says, “you will have the opportunity to sit for an internationally recognized certification Level 1 examination offered by the Electronic Technicians Association, which allows you to receive a respected industry credential demonstrating your knowledge.” There’s a sizable (but should be worth it) cost for this one. For details, click here, scroll to p. 19.
green energy
Today at 3: How to major in renewable energy at Ohio State ATI … and the places you can go from there
Learn about majoring in Renewable Energy at the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, CFAES’s two-year degree-granting unit in Wooster. Then hear how you can transition that major into a bachelor’s degree program on Ohio State’s main campus. It’s a free talk by Esther Dwyer and Jessica Diallo, both of CFAES, from 3-3:55 p.m. today, Oct. 9, in 081 Halterman Hall at ATI, 1328 Dover Road, Wooster. Details: yoder.275@osu.edu.
Sept. 25: Past, present and future of renewable energy in Ohio
Eric Romich, pictured, left, energy development field specialist for CFAES’s outreach arm, OSU Extension, presents “Renewable Energy in Ohio: Historical Perspective, Current Trends and Future Projections” at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, in 081 Halterman Hall, 1328 Dover Road, at the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. An email about the talk says Romich “finds himself ‘in the trenches’ for the university on a daily basis.” He’s also a member of ATI’s Renewable Energy Program advisory panel. ATI is CFAES’s two-year degree-granting unit. It offers among its majors an associate of science degree in renewable energy. Details: yoder.275@osu.edu.
Sept. 9: How to continue Ohio’s clean energy progress
The Environmental Professionals Network, a service of CFAES’s School of Environment and Natural Resources, hosts its next monthly breakfast program, “Challenges and Opportunities: Achieving Ohio’s Clean Energy Potential,” on Sept. 9 in Columbus. You’re invited to attend. Details.
National Climate Assessment poem, Midwest edition, #4: Gassy But Solutions Exist
Key Message 4 for the Midwest, “Fossil-Fuel Dependent Electricity System,” from the third National Climate Assessment, released May 6, 2014 (first post):
The Midwest has a highly energy-intensive economy
With per capita emissions of greenhouse gases
More than 20 percent higher than the national average. The region
Also has a large and increasingly utilized
Potential to reduce emissions
That cause climate change.
Greening the RPAC
The Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC) at The Ohio State University uses an extremely large amount of energy. As an icon of the university and an example to other organizations, we propose the start of a movement towards sustainability at the RPAC. Simple steps that can be taken immediately include new lighting practices that harness natural light and reduce unused light, and adapting cardio equipment to produce energy that can be used by RPAC.
These changes will serve multiple benefits. The RPAC will receive support from an emerging client base that are concerned about their impact on the environment and live a less impactful lifestyle. The RPAC will enjoy a lower energy bill, allowing more money to be invested into continuing the efforts to make the RPAC sustainable. Gaining a start through use of these steps will open the doors to new sustainability practices in the future and keep OSU a leader of universities everywhere.
RPAC facility at Ohio State (image courtesy of Ohio State Recreational Sports)