Learning through a Community-based Energy Conservation Project

A local school district and the electrical engineering department worked together to identify potential school district projects to conserve both fiscal and environmental resources. The service project, “An Engineering Approach to Sustainability: Energy Saving Lighting and School District Energy Data Analysis” included an intense need for the collaboration team to work together, learn together, discover together, and apply classroom knowledge to a real world application. Students were introduced to standards and regulations of the energy industry, energy metering and billing, sustainability, and the environmental impact of power usage. They were given web access to utility data, annual energy costs, and square foot data for eight school district buildings. The district superintendent and business manager presented information to the students and were available to answer student questions on school district energy use, operating schedule, and construction history. Student teams evaluated available data, and developed energy-saving proposals and site survey plans based on their research and discussions with project collaboration members. Teams focused on computers and technology; plumbing and interior lighting; kitchen appliances and lab hoods; and building automation schedules and exterior lighting. They were given weekend access to the high school and worked closely with school district personnel to develop their site plan and to make direct measurements of water usage, power consumption and light intensity. Final reports were submitted that included results of the site survey, recommendations, and expected energy savings. The ultimate success of this community-based learning project resulted from the teamwork and collaboration of students, university and school district staff. Not only was the project an engineering success, but also was a source of career influence for student participants.