2007 Green Cup: Previous Energy Challenges

Information on rules, prizes, energy challenges, and tips

Residence Hall Energy Conservation Competition

Current week's challenge

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Energy Challenge Week 3

Did you know?
The average number of showers per week/per student is 7.3.   Statistics also show that the average shower duration is 10.5 minutes per shower.

To help reduce the water consumption, Wellesley College replaced shower heads throughout campus several years ago to heads that use 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

If each student reduced their shower by one minute how many gallons of water would be saved? Assuming 9-month academic year (270days) and 2300 students? Answer: C) 1,619,035 Gallons!  What a difference a minute can make! 57 students answered this challenge correctly.  Enter this week’s challenge for your final chance to get your name in the end of month  raffle.

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Energy Challenge Week 2

Did you know?
Wellesley College began ramping up its efforts on the recycling front in 2005. The focus up to this point has been on the waste stream.  Currently, multiple materials are being recycled including commingled waste (plastic bottles, aluminum cans and glass bottles), cardboard and paper.   In the immediate future, the sustainability group in coordination with facilities is working to expand commingled recycling to all buildings on campus.

But that’s not all:   Did you know that the Grounds department within Facilities recycles all yard waste including all brush, leaves, clippings, wood and stumps?

Composted debris mixed with soil amendments provides for all routine loam needs while the woody debris is ground to create mulch which is then used in the College's landscape.  Thereby almost eliminating the need to haul yard waste off campus or to purchase and haul loam and mulch to campus.  This is not only cost effective but reduces the amount of energy associated with transport.

In 2006, (January 2006-December 2006), Wellesley college recycled how many pounds of paper and cardboard? A) 69,180 lbs               B) 158,780 lbs             C) 227,960 lbs             D) 360,975 lbs Answer : C) 227,960.   In 2006 Wellesley College recycled 158,780lbs of mixed office paper and 69,180lbs of cardboard! 2 students answered this question correctly!   Enter your chances of winning by entering this week's challenge!

 

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Energy Challenge Week 1

Did you know?
Wellesley College has its very own cogeneration station.  Housed in the Physical Plant building, five natural gas driven reciprocating engines generate all of the electric needs for our campus.  The term Cogeneration means the production of electricity and useful thermal energy simultaniously from a common fuel source.  In our cogeneration plant, five engines/generator sets produce up to 7.5 MegaWatts of power.  Additionally, our plant uses heat from the exhaust of the engine to produce up to 11,100 lbs of steam to be used for heating. 

But that’s not all:   We also extract heat from the engine through heat exchangers to heat a water loop used for hot water absorption (cooling), preheating fuel oil, preheating domestic hot water and reheating condensate to reenter the steam cycle.

Who invented the first recorded steam engine? Answer:  100 AD Heron of Alexandria invented the first steam engine known as the aeolipile or Hero’s Engine.   13 students provided the correct answer and have earned an entry in the end of the month drawing!  Increase you chances of winning by entering the Week 2 Challenge!