By Theme:Arts and Literature | Campus Sustainability | Community Perspectives | Development | Economic Analysis | Ecosystem Analysis | Education | Energy | Environmental Justice | Food Systems | Geology of the Watershed | Green Architecture | Green Business | History of the Watershed | Invasive Species | Land Use Patterns | Public Policy | Recreation | Transportation | Water Quality
Energy
Laura Adelman and Davide Gill-Austern (2011)
We conducted a conceptual analysis of a potential anaerobic digestion installation
at the Saratoga County wastewater treatment plant as a waste to energy solution. We
concluded that an anaerobic digester would prove beneficial to the plant based on
long term environmental, social, and economic benefits.
A Cultured Revolution: Growing Native Algae in Wastewater to Produce EthanolPia Ruisi-Besares and Peter McInerney (2012)
Production of bioethanol from algae presents a sustainable alternative to first generation biofuels and fossil fuels. We grew two native algal species in different treatments of wastewater and measured total biomass and ethanol production. Penium margaritaceum and Scenedesmus quadricuada were most productive in 50% wastewater treatments; S. quadricuada produced greater amounts of biomass per treatment and ethanol per gram. Wastewater composition determined the total biomass per treatment while cell physiology determined ethanol production.
Taking the (Sun) Initiative: An analysis of solar installations in New York’s Capital
Region
Jenna Spooner, Caitlin White, and Anne Weis (2014)
Fossil fuels are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. We investigated the incentives, challenges, and barriers to implementing commercial solar installations at three sites in Saratoga Springs and Troy, and at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, through research and interviews. While financial incentives for solar projects are difficult to get but necessary for implementation, the people behind these initiatives seem more interested in their moral responsibility.
Retrofitting Homes for Energy Efficiency for Low Income People: A Case Study of Saratoga
CountyAmy Weaver, Melissa Chilinski, and Spencer Nelson (2015)
We analyzed the effectiveness of low-income weatherization in Saratoga County, NY. Based on a comprehensive examination of literature on weatherization programs at a global and national level, funding appears to be the greatest barrier for low-income weatherization programs. We suggest allocating more funding to programs that focus on a streamlined approach to weatherizing mobile homes as a way to maximize funding and houses weatherized.
Incentives and Barriers for Implementing Solar Energy Technology in Schools in Saratoga
Springs, NY
Osheen Srinivas (2015)
In New York, there are many state tax incentives to use solar energy. This research
works to better understand the incentives, barriers, and power of decision-making
in the Saratoga Springs, NY school district. The Saratoga Springs School District
is not yet ready to implement solar technology due to barriers such as lack of comprehensible
information from the initiative to users, and the upfront costs of installation.
Report is not available. Please contact Karen Kellogg for more information.
Tackling the Challenge of Smarter Energy Design
Kyle Downey, Sam Holmberg, & Michaela Kerxhalli-Kleinfield (2016)
Traditional power generation and distribution via the macrogrid is outdated, inefficient, and susceptible to outages from natural disasters. Microgrids are localized grid systems capable of producing energy using small-scale sources. We analyzed microgrid development across NY State. Functionality, reliability, and cost-effective design were more important to participating communities than environmental considerations. Obstacles include financial and technological challenges along with lack of coordination and prior experience.
Bright Lights and Charged Cars: Improving Energy Efficiency in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs has been a Climate Smart Community engaged in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience since 2011, but there is room for improvement in the city’s energy efficiency sector. The implementation of LED lighting in both City building indoor lights and historic street lights, as well as the installation of new EV charging stations, will increase the energy efficiency and decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of Saratoga Springs, while expanding the sustainability portfolio of the City.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has committed itself to reaching 60% of electricity from renewable sources and a 75% reduction in GHG emissions by 2025. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is currently at 40% for each of these goals. We propose four projects (solar on campus, community shared solar, alternative student housing, and hydropower), which, if implemented, would increase our share of electricity from renewable sources to 51.2% and reduce our GHG emissions by 5.2%. Engagement from students and community members would also increase.
Heating, Cooling and Energizing New York's Empire State Plaza: A Proposal for a Just
Transition to Renewable Energy
Anna Merrens, Mac Dill, and Nicol La Cumbre-Gibbs (2020)
Sheridan Hollow has housed fossil-fuel facilities that power Empire State Plaza (ESP) in Albany, NY, for decades. In 2019, the New York Power Authority created a plan to generate approximately 50% of ESP’s electricity from renewable sources. We then created a proposal to cover ESP’s remaining electricity demand, so it could be powered by 100% green energy, in order to alleviate stress on a historical Environmental Justice community.
Paper is not available. For information, please contact the ESS Program Director.
Ben Burns, Teddy Heroux, Jack Lipson & JC Mueller (2021)
This project sought to measure the adoption of residential energy efficiency in Saratoga County. Data was collected through eleven interviews with local stakeholders and over five hundred survey responses. We found significant disparities in adoption and engagement of energy efficiency between locations and income groups in Saratoga County. We propose state-funded programs to increase community education and outreach to maximize the residential energy efficiency in Saratoga County.