Exploring sustainable energy- from more efficient production, to energy conservation, to biomass and wind energy alternatives. The “crown jewel” of the campus’ energy conservation efforts is the university’s oat hull burning program. The program, which began in 2002, burns biomass from a nearby Quaker Oats plant to generate heat and energy for the campus. The oat hulls are cheaper than coal, saving the university about $1 million per year, and are considered a renewable, or carbon-neutral, fuel. In January the US Environmental Protection Agency lauded the UI for reducing carbon emissions at its power plant by using one system to generate both heat and energy, saving the equivalent amount of carbon stored by 11232 acres of pine forests for one year or the emissions from 8046 passenger vehicles. Currently, the university gets 14 percent of its purchased power from renewable sources, says Christiansen. The UI is working to expand its renewable fuel use and considering options for a power plant that could eventually use 100 percent renewable energy. energy.uiowa.edu
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