This past year at the CERTs 2013 Conference, a new interactive session was tried. Regional groups met and brainstormed potential community energy efficiency projects that could be implemented specifically in their region. One such idea involved installing LED lights on the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) campus. After an interesting turn of events, the wishful idea became a successful reality.
The lighting project, hatched by UMC students at the Conference, originally wanted to focus on outdoor lighting as a way to demonstrate the LED technology. The project continued to move forward after the Conference through involved leadership, but slowed when it came time for funding to be secured.
To the good fortune of the UMC students, a Northwest CERT seed grant became available. After consideration of multiple other projects, the Northwest CERT Steering Committee selected the UMC LED project to be the new recipient of the $5,000 of funding.
From that point forward, the lighting project was set in fast forward. With an abbreviated time frame, all those involved had to band together, make decisions, and implement them quickly.
The lighting project included two specific areas on campus. The first area selected was the Nature Nook. Located at the entry to the Admissions Office and One Stop Student Services, the Nature Nook is designed and maintained to represent the prairie landscape that once covered the campus. Over 80 species of prairie plants can be found across the area, as well as numerous insects and microorganisms. The Nook’s focus on preserving nature blended well with the lighting project’s energy efficiency theme.
After much research, the lighting project coordinators chose to install a solar-powered LED street light within the Nature Nook. The new light was installed in the same place an old light once stood, so re-wiring was not necessary. The coordinators decided upon a sleekly-designed light pole that also holds the solar panels.
The second area that was chosen was the Brown Dining Hall. This area was chosen for multiple reasons, the first being that lights within the building were anything but efficient. Secondly, the area was chosen due to the high traffic flow it sees every day. The lights installed within the dining hall were likewise LED, but not solar-powered.
Accompanying both lighting projects, posters were created explaining the upgrades and benefits the energy-efficient LED bulbs provide. The posters are hung around campus in the hallways and concentrated in the dining hall where students can both read about the project and experience the upgrades first hand. In addition to the posters, tours for new and potential students at UMC also highlight the upgrades and energy efficiency theme across campus.
Even with the time crunch, UMC was able to successfully implement two LED lighting projects. Being placed in two high-traffic areas, the upgrades are sure to draw attention from not only the students and faculty, but also from the touring potential students. After being hatched from a simple brainstorming session, this project has turned into a brightly-lit reality!
Project Snapshot:
- Location: Crookston, MN (Polk County)
- Technology: Efficiency, Solar Electric
- Total cost: $11,422
- CERTs Funding: $5,000
To learn more contact Brenda Bozyk at 218-281-8483 or bozy0001@crk.umn.edu.
Want to learn how your community can get a CERTs Seed Grant to advance your work? Applications for the next round of grants are available and due October 26th. To get started, visit the Seed Grant page and see other awarded projects from past years.
