Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.18
Liaison Ryan Todd
Submission Date May 9, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

California State University, Sacramento
IN-1: Innovation 1

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Sustainable Technology Optimization Research Center (STORC)

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :

The Sustainable Technology Optimization Research Center (STORC) is a highly collaborative teaching and learning model. It encourages innovation and teamwork among administration, faculty and student populations from multiple educational disciplines, representing various campus interests, by promoting, supporting, and housing ongoing sustainable technology research projects within a common functional space.

Because numerous research projects coexist within the same functional footprint, knowledge of various technologies is easily acquired and transferred. Those working on STORC-related research projects quickly recognize how dissimilar technologies might be configured to contribute to the enhanced performance of other technologies. As a practical living laboratory and a multi-disciplinary center for learning, STORC synergistically enhances research outcomes and student learning experiences.

Interdisciplinary participation in STORC includes professors and students from Natural Science and Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science, Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies, and from various administrative offices such as Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management, and Facilities Management.

STORC is an example of Sac State’s ingenuity in furthering research and education, and is redefining traditional models of knowledge acquisition and transfer, and exemplifies every aspect of high-quality leadership that Sacramento State strives to instill in its faculty, staff and students.

Vision:

To be an international resource for practical, scalable, and financially viable solutions in the area of sustainable technologies that are suitable for private and/or public sector operations related to the management of energy, food, water and waste.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

At present, more than five sustainable projects are in various stages of operation at STORC. Sustainable projects in operation, in various stages of construction, or under consideration include:
• Wind Aerators: Wind aerators can be used to oxygenate agricultural ponds. These can be constructed using a variety of techniques. Items needed to build such systems are plentiful (e.g., waste drums, small vehicle axles, diaphragm pumps, etc.). As simple as this seems, the big challenge is in creating a system that actually addresses real-world O2 demands in agriculture and aquaculture operations.
• Solar Space Heaters: Building solar space heaters for homes/out-buildings, using air and/or water and passive heat transfer techniques is an idea gaining momentum with DIYers. Old car radiators can be used for heat transfer once the water has been sufficiently heated by the sun. Also, old, tempered glass such as shower doors, are easily obtainable, and can be used to trap and amplify solar energy.
• Hydroponic Gardening Systems: This is a very fascinating concept, and an amazingly efficient crop production concept when combined with aquaculture and photo-electric systems.
• Water Filtering Systems: A properly designed, passive system using 55 gallon drums can filter contaminated water very efficiently and inexpensively.
• Electric Power Generation Systems: Constructing small solar arrays for running well and pond pumps on remote properties.
• Electricity Producing Wind Turbines: Vertical axis or traditional propeller driven wind turbines can be constructed using materials that are readily available for little or no cost.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research Yes
Campus Engagement Yes
Public Engagement Yes
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds ---
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste Yes
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance ---
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.