Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 56.22
Liaison Olivia Wiebe
Submission Date Jan. 28, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Idaho
IN-48: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Olivia Wiebe
Sustainability Manager
Office of the President
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Installation of Micro-Turbines in the District Energy Plant

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
After several years of feasibility studies and coordination with the Department of Energy and Avista Utilities, the District Energy Plant is in the process of installing three backpressure steam turbines to produce electrical power on campus using woody biomass fuel. This project was approved for construction in 2021 by the State of Idaho Board of Education. Work has begun to install the turbines and controls for the first campus microgrid.

Generating 13% of the campus electricity load, the project is estimated to save the university $360,000 annually.

These turbines will have the capacity to offset the facility's electrical demand, making the District Energy Plant the first carbon negative building on campus.

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://www.uidaho.edu/-/media/UIdaho-Responsive/Files/infrastructure/Facilities/info-requests/projects/micro-turbine-energy-descript.pdf

Olivia Wiebe, Sustainability Center Coordinator; Department of Student Involvement

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