Browsing by Author "Thomann, Wayne"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    Carbon Offset Opportunities at the Duke University Health System
    (2012-04-27) Wallis, Kimberly; Shown, Erin; Lin, Ye
    Over the past century, global temperatures have increased in large part due to anthropogenic fossil fuel combustion. The impact of this change can already be seen in disappearing ice cover across the world. This trend has caused concern about the impact climate change will have on the environmental systems that civilization depends upon. Governments and other large bodies are acting now to address climate change; Duke University is among them. In 2007, Duke University President, Richard H. Brodhead, signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, and made the pledge to be carbon neutral by 2024. This master's project can aid the University in achieving its carbon neutrality pledge through the discovery of new and innovative carbon emission reduction opportunities within the Duke University Health System (DUHS). The opportunity exploration process consisted of: engaging in discussions with senior management, engineers, and staff; performing a broad literature review; and researching best practices at other institutions. Initial research areas identified were: energy efficient lighting, Energy Star equipment, sustainable medical and organic waste disposal, sustainable tableware, renewable energy, green purchasing, workplace transportation, and retrofits to existing buildings. After identification of the initial research areas, we reiterated the exploratory process and narrowed our focus to energy efficient lighting, sustainable organic waste disposal, sustainable tableware, and Energy Star equipment. In particular, the project focused on these areas within the boundaries of the Duke University Hospital (DUH) commercial-scale kitchen. After exploring each of these options, several promising opportunities became apparent. The upgrades in lighting efficiency are most viable at this time, although several other opportunities are likely to become feasible in the near future. The results of the lighting analysis in the DUH kitchen revealed a total carbon reduction potential of 100 tons over the lifetime of the project and the hospital would realize annual savings of $2000 in reduced electricity and maintenance costs. The results of the organic waste and sustainable tableware analysis are promising in terms of carbon reduction potential but prohibitive due to high costs. We recommend further analysis and collaboration with key stakeholders to discover strategies to reduce these costs. A broader application of lighting efficiency upgrades could further aid the University to achieve carbon neutrality, and simultaneously provide cost savings to the institutions involved.
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    Carbon Offset Opportunities at the Duke University Health System
    (2012-04-26) Shown, Erin; Wallis, Kimberly; Lin, Ye
    The Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative (DCOI) is collaborating with the Duke University Health System (DUHS) to obtain carbon offsets that will aid in fulfilling the University’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2024. This study identified and prioritized financially feasible projects within the DUHS that would lead to carbon offsets. A number of carbon reduction opportunities were identified within the DUHS: medical waste management, renewable energy opportunities, energy efficient kitchen equipment, lighting upgrades, organic waste management, and sustainable tableware. Funding from the DCOI would allow the DUHS to invest in projects beyond what its current budget allows while at the same time generating carbon credits for the University thereby benefitting both parties.
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    Carbon Offset Opportunities at the Duke University Health System
    (2012-04-26) Lin, Ye; Shown, Erin; Wallis, Kimberly
    The Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative (DCOI) is collaborating with the Duke University Health System (DUHS) to obtain carbon offsets that will aid in fulfilling the University’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2024. This study identified and prioritized financially feasible projects within the DUHS that would lead to carbon offsets. A number of carbon reduction opportunities were identified within the DUHS: medical waste management, renewable energy opportunities, energy efficient kitchen equipment, lighting upgrades, organic waste management, and sustainable tableware. Funding from the DCOI would allow the DUHS to invest in projects beyond what its current budget allows while at the same time generating carbon credits for the University thereby benefitting both parties.
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    Decontamination and Reuse of N95 Respirators with Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor to Address Worldwide Personal Protective Equipment Shortages During the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Pandemic
    (Applied Biosafety, 2020-01-01) Schwartz, Antony; Stiegel, Matthew; Greeson, Nicole; Vogel, Andrea; Thomann, Wayne; Brown, Monte; Sempowski, Gregory D; Alderman, Thomas Scott; Condreay, James Patrick; Burch, James; Wolfe, Cameron; Smith, Becky; Lewis, Sarah
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    Duke University Health System Demand Response Prospectus
    (2014-04-25) Ong, Justin; Yuan, Michelle
    The Duke University Health System Demand Response Prospectus is a client-based Masters Project that explores the profitability and environmental impacts of enrolling Duke University Health System and Duke University into Duke Energy’s PowerShare demand response program. Demand response programs are mechanisms used by utilities to decrease energy demand during high-usage periods (e.g. hot days when air conditioning use is highest) by incentivizing their customers to reduce grid consumption for a limited time. This temporary demand reduction results in cost savings to utilities because it allows them to avoid using their most inefficient and expensive power plants. In our project, we analyze the economic, environmental, and regulatory feasibility of using Duke University and Duke Medicine emergency generators in a Duke Energy demand response program called PowerShare, more specifically the Generator Curtailment Option. Duke Carbon Offset Initiative credits, a Duke University funding mechanism to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, were also considered as a potential revenue source. In order to conduct the analysis, an MS Excel and Visual Basic model was created to calculate the impacts of enrollment. The model provided to the client was designed to offer an easy user interface to quickly conduct the analyses. It was also specially designed to offer the flexibility to incorporate future changes in the energy market and user preferences. The model results indicated that, while feasible, demand response enrollment is not currently attractive from environmental and financial perspectives. The financials are poor for two mains reasons. First, expected net revenues are strictly negative because PowerShare enrollment requires Duke University to re-enroll into paying a demand side management rider (DSM) to which they are currently exempt. The DSM fee, although minimal individually, amounts to an astronomical fee for large consumers like Duke University and Duke Medicine since it is charged per unit of energy purchased. Second, PowerShare curtailment compensation is lower than current cost of diesel fuel. From an environmental perspective, PowerShare is also not a favorable option. Instead of offering a carbon emissions reduction opportunity, PowerShare participation is actually expected to increase the amount of global carbon emissions because Duke University generators emit more carbon than Duke Energy’s natural gas peak usage plants.
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    Improve Energy and Water Efficiency in Duke Laboratory Buildings
    (2013-04-26) Liu, Luqin; Zhang, Shuai; Lee, Andy
    The Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) supports the university-wide efforts to manage safety and environmental programs in education, healthcare delivery, medical teaching and research. While the organization focuses on health and safety issues, it also extends its reach to those projects that will further the institutionalization of sustainability at Duke University. This Masters project is a collaborative effort between OESO and the Nicholas School of the Environment to frame and study the challenges of reducing environmental impacts and further improving environmental performance at Duke University. The team focused on two metrics: electric power generation and water conservation in scientific research laboratories. This research paper (1) investigated whether it is environmentally and financially viable to participate in the Demand Response program with a local utility provider; (2) strategized ways to promote appropriate waste disposal, and (3) suggested potential opportunities to enhance water efficiency in laboratories. By conducting an electric generator pilot study and interviews with key stakeholders, the results of the study concluded that all eligible emergency generators at Duke University should participate in the Demand Response program, which would lead to significant cost savings and potential carbon dioxide reductions. Interviews with the staff in ten laboratories identified promising opportunities to strengthen environmental performance such as reusing water locally and identifying behavioral best practices. These recommendations could be rolled out to additional laboratories at Duke University and other academic institutions to promote environmental sustainability within the American higher education sector.
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    Improving Energy and Water Efficiencies in Duke Laboratory Buildings
    (2013-04-26) Lee, Andrew; Zhang, Shuai; Liu, Luqin
    The Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) supports the university-wide efforts to manage safety and environmental programs in education, healthcare delivery, medical teaching and research. While the organization focuses on health and safety issues, it also extends its reach to those projects that will further the institutionalization of sustainability at Duke University. This Masters project is a collaborative effort between OESO and the Nicholas School of the Environment to frame and study the challenges of reducing environmental impacts and further improving environmental performance at Duke University. The team focused on two metrics: electric power generation and water conservation in scientific research laboratories. This research paper (1) investigated whether it is environmentally and financially viable to participate in the Demand Response program with a local utility provider; (2) strategized ways to promote appropriate waste disposal, and (3) suggested potential opportunities to enhance water efficiency in laboratories. By conducting an electric generator pilot study and interviews with key stakeholders, the results of the study concluded that all eligible emergency generators at Duke University should participate in the Demand Response program, which would lead to significant cost savings and potential carbon dioxide reductions. Interviews with the staff in ten laboratories identified promising opportunities to strengthen environmental performance such as reusing water locally and identifying behavioral best practices. These recommendations could be rolled out to additional laboratories at Duke University and other academic institutions to promote environmental sustainability within the American higher education sector.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Improving Energy and Water Efficiencies in Duke Laboratory Buildings
    (2013-04-26) Zhang, Shuai; Liu, Luqin; Lee, Andy
    The Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) supports the university-wide efforts to manage safety and environmental programs in education, healthcare delivery, medical teaching and research. While the organization focuses on health and safety issues, it also extends its reach to those projects that will further the institutionalization of sustainability at Duke University. This Masters project is a collaborative effort between OESO and the Nicholas School of the Environment to frame and study the challenges of reducing environmental impacts and further improving environmental performance at Duke University. The team focused on two metrics: electric power generation and water conservation in scientific research laboratories. This research paper (1) investigated whether it is environmentally and financially viable to participate in the Demand Response program with a local utility provider; (2) strategized ways to promote appropriate waste disposal, and (3) suggested potential opportunities to enhance water efficiency in laboratories. By conducting an electric generator pilot study and interviews with key stakeholders, the results of the study concluded that all eligible emergency generators at Duke University should participate in the Demand Response program, which would lead to significant cost savings and potential carbon dioxide reductions. Interviews with the staff in ten laboratories identified promising opportunities to strengthen environmental performance such as reusing water locally and identifying behavioral best practices. These recommendations could be rolled out to additional laboratories at Duke University and other academic institutions to promote environmental sustainability within the American higher education sector.
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    Making the Business Case for Sustainability at the Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center
    (2011-04-29) Cheng, Joe; Fedors, Kara; Maltenfort, Megan
    Health care facilities are extremely resource intensive operations due to the multitude of equipment, environmental control requirements, and the constant monitoring required for patient care. Since patient care is the top priority for health care facilities, sustainability and resource efficiency had traditionally not been considered in their construction and operation. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of various resource reduction opportunities at the Duke Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC), an outpatient facility in the Duke University Health system. A whole-systems approach was embraced and sustainability opportunities were assessed through five focus areas: energy use, water use, waste generation, opportunities for recycling, and green purchasing. Based on discussions with the client, background research, and various analyses, it was decided that the study would focus primarily on energy, water, and waste for measuring and improving sustainability at the ASC. Energy and water audits were conducted to establish baseline energy use data. A waste characterization was performed to identify the types of waste being generated and their volumes. In addition, a two month pilot recycling program for mixed beverage containers and mixed paper was implemented in order to assess the potential for a permanent recycling program. There are a number of viable opportunities to reduce resource consumption as well as costs in the areas of energy, water, and waste. This study demonstrates opportunities to reduce overall ASC resource usage. The detailed analysis shows that through technological and behavioral changes, significant cost savings can be realized. The cost reductions estimated from energy and water initiatives could be savings or applied to offset other environmental improvements, such as the recycling program which would cost the Center $2,465 per year but also offers many intangible benefits. The ASC can expect a total annual savings of $8,582 based on our recommendations. In addition, these initiatives could be expanded to find additional opportunities for savings at the ASC and throughout Duke University.