Unpepp: Bringing Renewable Energy To Redwood National Park

In the summer of 2000 and the following two summers of 2001 and 2002, Schatz Energy Research Center (SERC) used University-National Park Energy Partnership Program (UNPEPP) funding to hire two student interns from Humboldt State University's Environmental Resources Engineering (ERE) program to identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency or use renewable energy in the Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California. In this paper we will describe each of the three projects and discuss the benefits of involving undergraduate students in engineering design projects. In summer 2000, the interns, Lonny Grafman and Angi Sorensen, spent twelve weeks monitoring on-site energy use, tracking solar energy availability, and creating preliminary designs for the two systems: a solar thermal water heater and a DC-powered lighting system for the campground restroom at Gold Bluffs Beach and a 2-kilowatt solar electric system for the ranger residence at Espa Lagoon. In 2001, the second year, interns Matthew Rhode and Steven Koldis designed solar thermal hot water and ventilation systems for the restroom facility at WCOS at Wolf Creek Outdoor School, a new lighting system to illuminate walking paths and the amphitheater, and a 2-kilowatt gridconnected solar electric system to offset the increased electrical load. The Park installed the systems designed by Matt and Steve in 2002-2003 with assistance from Bonneville Power Administration, California Conservation Corps, and HSU ERE students. For the third year in 2002, interns Kelly Miess and Andrew Sorter designed and installed a solar thermal hot water system for the Redwood Information Center in Orick, California. In the twelve-week project period, they monitored energy use, designed the system, procured materials, and performed the installation. For each of the three projects, we will discuss the experience of the interns in collecting relevant data, refining the project objectives, developing design alternatives, selecting the alternative of choice, and reporting the results. We will also describe the experience of the third team of interns who were able to procure the materials and equipment and install and test the completed system. We will evaluate the benefits of involving undergraduate students in engineering design projects.