Earth Day, April 22, is around the corner, and this year, the designers of four projects that advance renewable energy research, education, and infrastructure on campus have an extra reason to celebrate. The UVM Clean Energy Fund (CEF), which is generated from a $10 self-assessed fee by undergraduate and graduate students each semester, totaling $225,000 per year, will provide nearly $102,000 to the winning environmentally friendly projects selected by the CEF committee for 2011-12.

Awarded projects include the following:

• Clean Greenhouse Energy at Miller Farm: A first phase, feasibility and design, project that will look into compost heat as an agricultural energy source for a combined research and production greenhouse at Miller Research Farm. In combination with the grid-tied 32kW static electric PV system on the Equine Center roof, this project will meet the heating needs as well as address the treatment of wastewater at this facility. Project cost: $23,654. Project timeline: To begin July 1.

• CleanSpeed- A Student-Developed, Zero Emission Vehicle: The student run Alternative Energy Racing Organization (AERO) will design, build, test, and race of a zero emission vehicle for the 2012 Formula Hybrid International Competition. UVM would be among a small group of competitors racing in both the hybrid and electric car categories. Upon completion of the race, the car will be used for future research in alternative fuel transportation and smart grid implementation. Project cost:  $38,200. Project timeline: To begin July 1.

• Virtualized Desktop Lab at Kalkin Hall: The Virtualized Desktop Lab is a collaborative project involving Enterprise Technology Services and the School of Business Administration. This project is focused on virtualizing one computer lab in Kalkin as a pilot to build the required infrastructure, administrative processes, and to have a demonstrable configuration to show other units on campus. The project drivers include: reducing power consumption, extending the useful life of lab-client equipment, and improving lab image management and deployment. Project cost: $25,000. Project timeline: To begin Aug. 1.
  

• Compost Power for Slade Hall Greenhouse: This project involves composting onsite and providing a source of heat for an existing greenhouse structure at Slade Hall. In addition, it will produce organic compost as a byproduct for on-farm use and support student internships on-campus. Project cost: $14,780. Project timeline: To begin July 1.