Browsing by Author "Weiss, Jennifer"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Assessing the Outcomes of a Long-term, Zero-emission Strategy for GoTriangle’s Transit Fleet
    (2019-04-19) Floum, Jackson; Fu, Yingyu; Yoshizumi, Alexander; Zhang, Liyue
    The goal of this project was to assess how GoTriangle might most effectively implement battery electric vehicle (BEV) buses by analyzing possible environmental and social factors and providing recommendations for BEV bus implementation to maximize operating efficiency and social good. The core questions that drove the analyses were (1) whether GoTriangle is a good candidate for BEV bus implementation and (2) how GoTriangle might best implement BEV buses. Four analytical components were chosen to address the goals of the project based on participatory feedback from project clients: (1) analysis of potential grid impacts of charging the electric fleet, (2) comparisons between BEV bus well-to-wheel emissions and conventional diesel bus well-to-wheel emissions, (3) suitability analysis of route legs – the most granular transportation planning units used by GoTriangle, and (4) spatial analysis of emissions to address environmental health and environmental justice concerns. This report found that GoTriangle is likely a good candidate for BEV bus implementation. Increased demand to the grid would likely be negligible from a transmission point-of-view. In maximum fuel-economy scenarios with an energy mix based upon Duke Energy’s integrated resource plan, it appeared that BEV buses would contribute less emissions in every category when compared to diesel buses. Though, it should be said that comparatively larger contributions of some air pollutants were observed in minimum fuel-economy scenarios. Many bus route legs – the smallest planning units used in route optimization – appeared to be good candidates for implementation based on physical characteristics known to be associated with energy consumption. Route legs located near and around Raleigh were found to be some of the most optimal options based on their physical properties and comparatively greater potential to mitigate human exposure to criteria pollutants.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Energy Education in Wake County Public Schools: A Case Study of Leesville Elementary School
    (2012-04-17) Weiss, Jennifer
    The environmental challenges we face today will continue to become more complex and each individual will be called upon to make critical decisions that will affect the environment. These decisions must be made by an environmentally literate group of people who understand the core elements and complexities of their decisions. Given the need for increased environmental literacy, when should environmental education begin? This case study takes a look at just one element of environmental education – energy education – at two 3rd grade classes in Leesville Elementary School in Raleigh, NC. Through eight learning modules and hands-on activities, the young students demonstrate that even at the 3rd grade level, they are eager to learn more about the environment and are prepared to become environmental stewards. Based on the success of the program, this report investigates methods to integrate environmental education into the K-12 curriculum to help foster the environmental literacy of tomorrow’s leaders
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Magic school bus, deploy! Cleaner air and cost savings in North Carolina with electric school buses.
    (2022-12-16) Fromuth, Jeffrey K.
    The purpose of this project is to evaluate ways to assist the deployment of electric school buses (ESB) across the state on behalf of the client, the North Carolina Clean Energy Fund (NCCEF). In part one of this report, we simulate vehicle-to-building battery dispatch and discuss resulting savings and economic opportunities from ESB ownership. In part two, we examine potential products NCCEF can employ to expand access to ESBs. This report reviews the strengths and shortcomings of several financing models. Getting more ESBs on the road aligns with NCCEF’s mission to be a market catalyst, ensuring wider access to a proven green product. As shown here, NCCEF is well positioned to enhance some school districts’ purchasing power. We also find that if financing is structured correctly, ESB fuel savings combined with their battery energy storage capabilities, can provide returns that sustain and broaden NCCEF investments.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Policy Options to Achieve the City of Philadelphia’s Climate Change Goals
    (2020-04-24) Anger, Rebecca; Wilson, Gennelle; Conti, Matias; Rollins, Libba
    The purpose of this master’s project is to carry out a thorough policy analysis that will enable the City of Philadelphia to achieve its 2030 and 2050 carbon emission reduction and renewable energy goals. Philadelphia has a plan in place to reach these goals and its current policies are a good first step. However, there is room for their plans and policies to be augmented with strategies beyond what they currently have. This project analyses the potential of various transportation policies and presents the results of cost benefit analysis (CBAs) conducted on three carbon reduction strategies that the city expressed interest in but lacked the resources to explore on their own. A synthesis of actions taken by cities world-wide has also been added to serve as a menu of options for further exploration. With this project we aim to assist our client, the Clean Air Council, by providing insight on additional, cost-effective strategies to advocate for further action in the city, as well as to provide Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability with valuable information and resources to continue their work towards climate change mitigation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Power Sector Carbon Reduction: An Evaluation of Policies for North Carolina
    (2021-03-09) Konschnik, Kate; Ross, Martin; Monast, Jonas; Weiss, Jennifer; Wilson, Gennelle
    Well-designed clean energy policies can accelerate pollution reduction, make change more affordable for state residents and business, and stimulate job growth. For this reason, the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan—developed pursuant to Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 80—recommended the year-long study of carbon reduction policies for the power sector (Recommendation A1). The Duke University Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and the University of North Carolina’s Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics jointly conducted the study. This report reflects extensive modeling, policy and economic analysis, and stakeholder engagement. It does not make specific recommendations but evaluates different policies and offers options for decarbonizing the grid.