Energy

While standing in line for breakfast, I noticed that our energy usage had spiked to 197kWh.  All of our campus energy harnessing systems only managed to capture 122 kWh.  Compared to the last reading of only 4kWh greater usage than capture, this spike was dramatic.  A likely reason for this fluctuation is that students had just come to campus and were not yet used to living in an environment where all resources are precious and nothing goes to waste.

A large reason for the need for energy came from the weather.  A stifling hot and humid day, with temperatures in the mid-80s, yielded conditions that prompted fans to be used constantly.  One fan can use as much energy per hour as 15 compact fluorescent light-bulbs.  Two dorms housing the 48 students on campus have a total of 24 fans.  Despite being set to a timer, it does not ensure that the fans will go off when no one is present.  These were on all day, even during dinner when no one was occupying the dorm. 

Our limited energy is harnessed in both solar and wind forms.  On a calm day, the energy production is diminished.  Additional wasteful energy practices continued throughout the day as numerous students kept their laptops or iPods plugged in all day even though they were fully charged.  When The Island School is producing power that exceeds the on-campus needs, it can send the power out to the grid and the national energy company purchases that energy.  Conversely, when the school uses more energy than is being created, we draw in from the grid. 

As students settle into the dorms in the evening, naturally they will have to use power.  Recharging the computer is a necessary draw on energy.  Leaving a fully charged laptop connected into the wall overnight is not.  By eliminating these wasteful practices of unnecessary energy use, we can potentially get to a point where we are consistently selling energy to the grid.  Even on an individual level, these small and simple steps can have a noticeable impact.  When expanded to include the entire community, the actions taken to reduce our energy draws will get the campus on track towards energy sustainability.