Smart Energy, Smart Campus
Stanford's Opportunity to Lead in Sustainable Energy
By Robert Kroon
Stanford University's Doerr School of Sustainability stands as a beacon of innovation in environmental stewardship. Its commitment to green building practices is commendable, but the next leap forward lies in the intelligent integration of cutting-edge energy technologies.
With its pending investment in new school facilities, we urge Stanford to embrace a holistic approach, combining onsite electricity generation, robust energy storage, fault-managed power delivery, and battery-powered agile furniture to create a truly groundbreaking model for sustainable campuses.
The Doerr School has already demonstrated a commitment to energy efficiency. Now, it's time to take control of the energy supply itself. Expanding onsite renewable generation, primarily through solar photovoltaic arrays on rooftops and available land, will reduce reliance on the grid and provide a clean, decentralized power source. This distributed generation model offers resilience against grid outages, a crucial consideration in an era of increasing climate instability.
However, intermittent renewable energy sources require intelligent management. This is where energy storage systems become paramount. Advanced battery technologies can store excess solar power generated during peak times, allowing it to be used when the sun isn't shining or demand is high. This ensures a consistent and reliable power supply, maximizing the effectiveness of renewable generation and minimizing waste.
The next critical piece of the puzzle is how that power is distributed. Fault-managed power systems, such as Digital Electricity™, offer a compelling solution. These systems enhance safety by limiting the energy delivered during faults, reducing the risk of electrical fires and improving overall system reliability. Furthermore, they can contribute to energy efficiency by minimizing losses in the distribution network. Integrating fault-managed power with onsite generation and storage creates a robust and intelligent energy ecosystem.
Finally, consider the evolving nature of work itself. Battery-powered agile furniture offers unparalleled flexibility in workspace and classroom design. Desks, tables, and other furniture can be easily reconfigured without the constraints of traditional wiring. This optimizes space utilization, reduces material use, and minimizes the environmental impact of renovations. Imagine a campus where workspaces adapt to the needs of researchers and students, all powered by clean, locally generated energy.
By combining these four elements – onsite generation, energy storage, fault-managed power, and agile furniture – Stanford can create a living laboratory for sustainable energy solutions. This integrated approach will reduce the university's carbon footprint as well as provide invaluable data and insights that can be shared with the world. It will solidify Stanford's position as a leader in sustainability and inspire other institutions to follow suit.
The challenge is significant, but the potential rewards are immense. We urge Stanford to embrace this vision and demonstrate the power of integrated sustainable energy solutions. The future of our planet depends on bold leadership, and Stanford is uniquely positioned to provide it.
