WHERE DO WE GET ENERGY?
Non-Renewable Sources:
Non-renewable sources of energy are found in fossil fuels, so called because they are the natural deposits of carbon that accumulate over millions of years. There are two main sources:
Oil is drilled from deep within the earth. Almost 60% of the oil used in the United States is imported. Oil meets the demands of more than 40% of our energy. The environmental impacts of oil include air pollution, oil spills, and contributions to greenhouse gases.
Coal is mined from the earth. About 92% of coal used in the US is for the production of electricity. The combustion of coal contributes to green house gases and a reduction in air quality. Coal mining can also affect water quality.
It is estimated that 400 years of photosynthetic carbon are consumed globally every year in the form of fossil fuels.3 Although coal is still relatively abundant, our oil supply is dwindling and some estimate that it has already peaked.
Renewable Sources:
Renewable sources of energy pose alternate methods of energy production. There are several main forms, each presenting their own limitations.
Solar energy is absorbed directly from the sun and can be used as electricity or heat.
Wind energy, like solar, is a clean energy source that does not produce pollution or greenhouse gases. The disadvantage of wind energy is that turbines are often erected in rural locations that get the best wind flow. Furthermore, wind energy cannot be stored and thus has little effect on the urban areas where most American live.
Hydroelectric power is the nation’s largest renewable energy source. While it is a clean energy, hydroelectric power dams may disrupt ecosystems.
Biofuels involve the conversion of plant energy into ethanol and biodiesel which both serve as alternatives to gasoline. The production of crops solely for biofuels competes with agriculture and poses threats to biodiversity as countries hoping to export biofuels to the United States transform natural areas to crop fields.
The Mountain's Energy - Sewanee's Sources
Our energy is provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority, or TVA, where 60% of the energy is derived from fossil fuels. The remaining energy produced by TVA is created from nuclear plants, producing 30%, and hydroelectric power dams, producing 10%. TVA has introduced a program called Green Power Switch that includes renewable energy sources in its power base. TVA has facilities generating clean power from 16 solar sites, 1 wind generated site and 1 methane gas site.
Did you know?
The University has committed to 15% clean energy in 2007. $15 of your tuition goes towards buying clean energy.
WHERE IS IT USED MOST?
In the 2005-06 school year, Sewanee used 16,012,960 kilowatt hours costing $1,166,431.00. The estimated electricity consumption for the 2006-07 year (complete data not available at the time of this publication) is 16,487,003 kilowatt hours lending a cost of $1,354,877.00. Where is this electricity being spent? The 2004 Annual Utilities costs including electric, gas, and water found the academic buildings consuming the highest energy to be
Fowler Center at $225,533.01
McClurg at $188,419.52
duPont Library at $133,192.43
Carnegie Complex at $122,493.19
Decreasing your energy consumption
There are several easy ways to decrease your energy consumption in and around Sewanee.
When you leave your dorm room, make sure to:
- Turn off all lights
- Turn off your fan, air conditioner, or heat
- Turn off your computer or put in stand by/hibernate mode. Better yet – ask your Resident Computer Consultant (RCC) to set your computer to turn off after 5 minutes of inactivity
Use your dorm resources:
- Use the common microwaves and refrigerators each dorm provides
- Wash laundry only when you have a full load and use the cold water settings
- Turn off the lights when you leave your dorm kitchen and laundry room
Getting around campus:
- Walk or ride a bicycle around campus
- Limits trips to town and carpool if necessary
Out of the bubble:
- Carpool when available
- Fly as rarely as possible
- Conserve electricity by refraining from owning multiple appliances (for example, multiple refrigerators)
