Category: Water

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Partners Explore R&D Opportunities Related to Water and Sustainability

WaterEnergy

On Monday of this week, Sustainability Week, U of I researchers met at the Alice Campbell Alumni Center with colleagues from Argonne National Laboratory to explore opportunities for collaboration on energy/water nexus issues.

 

ISTC has collaborated with Argonne scientists for years on various sustainability projects. Kevin O’Brien, ISTC director and chair of the Water Council of the U of I’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment (iSEE), brought together partners to explore future points of shared interest.

 

The next day, iSEE invited business and organization leaders from Champaign-Urbana to a “Community Conversation on Energy Conservation.” The gathering emphasized local resources for improved building efficiency such as ISTC’s Illinois Green Office Challenge, and iSEE’s Certified Green Office Program.

 

The gatherings took place just as the 2015 Illinois Climate Action Plan (ICAP) was being released on campus. The five-year update of the plan reported that sustainability efforts in campus buildings has reduced energy consumption by 20 percent, greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent, and potable water use by 20 percent. Continuing commitment to improving efficiency of water and energy use at the University of Illinois will contribute to the ICAP meeting its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

 

 

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Interview with Kate Zerrenner – Environmental Defense Fund

kate zerrennerTo highlight our speakers at the Governor’s Sustainability Awards Ceremony, we asked them to answer a few short questions to give a sneak peak into their presentation before the event. Kate Zerrenner, Climate and Energy Project Manager for the Environmental Defense Fund, gave us a little more insight into the energy-water nexus. Join us on October 27th at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers to learn more.

 

We know that there is more buzz about the energy-water nexus and how it relates to our utility systems and economy, but tell me briefly why you started working on this topic.

 

When the drought hit Texas in 2010, I felt that we needed to have a voice in the environmental community about energy as a water conservation strategy. My background is in energy and I saw the connection, and I wanted to help make that connection for others: water saves energy and energy saves water.

 

There are many opportunities for infrastructure to improve their policy and development of these systems to save both energy and water, but why is this nexus so important for businesses to be aware of?

 

Many businesses have large energy bills – one way to improve that line item is through water efficiency, which also saves energy. Also, in water-stressed areas, investing in things like energy efficiency and other clean energy can help preserve scarce water resources.

 

Sometimes, as we are working in companies and manufacturers throughout Illinois, we see that energy efficiency can be tough sell, even with a significant payback. How can companies or organizations speak with upper management about the importance of both energy and water efficiency, and how they affect each other?

 

zerrenner diagram

Evidence shows that in some cases water conservation could save as much energy as the utility energy efficiency programs, but at half the cost. By looking at both energy and water together we can find the synergies and opportunities for efficiency—investing in one saves both, so businesses can maximize their resources by investing in a more coherent strategy.

 

So there are savings opportunities and efficiency opportunities here that organizations can capitalize on – Why is it important to share this information on the energy-water nexus  at events such as the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Awards?

 

Many people think that water scarcity is just something that dry Western states have to worry about, but climate models predict hotter and drier conditions for much of the country, including parts of the Midwest. In addition to preparing for new normal of drier or hotter conditions, it’s important to help businesses and industry realize the connection between energy and water so they can make their usage more efficient and lower their utility bills and their carbon footprints.

 

Are there any new initiatives that you are working on at the Environmental Defense Fund that you would like to share?

 

We are starting work with cities to help understand how much embedded energy is in municipal water systems, which will hopefully lead to opportunities to invest in targeted efforts to reduce cities’ energy bills and protect water resources.

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Event: Water Problems, Water Solutions: The Future of Clean Water in Illinois

Nutrient runoff, pollution, and sewage contamination are just a few of issues threatening the water we all depend upon. The Clean Water Rule went into effect on August 28th, closing loopholes in the Clean Water Act and restoring protections to over 48,000 miles of waterways in Illinois.

 

Impact, Environment Illinois, the Green Observer, and Students for Environmental Concerns are co-hosting a panel discussion with open Q&A on the importance of clean water for Illinois, and in general, as well as the threats it faces. The event, entitled “Water Problems, Water Solutions: The Future of Clean Water in Illinois,” will be held from 5:00 – 6:15 PM on Wednesday, September 30, in Room 319 Gregory Hall (810 South Wright Street Urbana, IL 61801) on the UI campus.

 

On September 18th the US Senate introduced a measure to overturn the Clean Water Rule. This event is part of Environment Illinois’ campaign to defend the Clean Water Rule. There will be the opportunity at the end of the event to participate in the campaign, as well as learn more about working on social change as a full-time career after graduation.

 

Speakers will include:

 

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/1646945918923166/.

 

Waterproblems

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Researcher Spotlight: Junhua Jiang

Photo of Junhua JiangDr. Junhua Jiang is a Senior Research Engineer in ISTC’s Applied Research on Industrial Environmental Systems Program. Jiang conducts cutting-edge research and develops interdisciplinary research programs in a range of areas, including electrochemical energy storage, nanostructured materials, electrochemical sensors, waste utilization, water treatment and purification, and green chemical processes. He joined ISTC in 2011.

 

Jiang graduated from China’s Wuhan University in 1997 with a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry. He conducted research as a postdoctoral fellow in London at Imperial College and in China at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics in the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

 

Prior to joining ISTC, Jiang worked as a staff scientist for fuel cell company NuVant Systems, and a research scientist and manager at the University of North Dakota’s Energy and Environmental Research Center. In these roles, he conducted innovative research on fuel cell and hydrogen technology, electrolytic processes of renewable ammonia, nanomaterials, and more.

 

Jiang’s research interests include energy-conversion technology, fuel cells and hydrogen technology, batteries and supercapacitors, green-chemistry processes for renewable fuels and chemicals, advanced materials, electrochemical treatment, water purification and desalination, and other areas of sustainable energy. He is currently developing biochar supercapacitors for energy storage and water purification; advanced carbon materials from renewable and waste feedstocks; and nanostructured materials and components from ionic liquids.

 

He is also working on electrochemical detection techniques for water contaminants. Jiang holds five issued and pending patents, has authored or presented more than 100 highly-cited peer-reviewed articles and conference papers, and has obtained more than $2.5 million in research grant funds.

 

Check the ISTC home page periodically for more Researcher Spotlights. Thanks to Lauren Quinn for writing the original profile of Junhua for the home page!

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ISTC hosts Events on Environmental Effects of Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products

As P2 Week kicks off this week, we are reminded of the important legislation of the past that has helped achieve cleaner waters in the U.S.; however, there is still work to be done. The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 in response to the growing awareness that raw sewage, industrial wastes, and other pollutants were regularly being dumped into waterways. The goal of the Clean Water Act was to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of our nation’s waters.” The law called for “zero discharge of pollutants into navigable waters” and water quality was to be improved so waters were both fishable and swimmable again. Progress has been made, but even after more than 40 years, water pollution is still a problem in many areas of the U.S. with excess nutrient runoff, mine drainage, oil or chemical spills, overflow of sewage during high rain events, etc.

 

In the past 10 years, the widespread occurrence of emerging contaminants, including pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) and steroid hormones, in waterways has been recognized as a critical environmental issue. To learn more about new research in that area and to provide opportunities for collaborations, ISTC is arranging a meeting on Thurs., Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.- noon for U of I faculty and staff from campus units studying PPCPs to discuss their projects. At noon, Dr. Wei Zheng from ISTC will present a talk on his PPCP research work. The talk will be broadcast live and also archived on the ISTC website. To register for the Sept. 24th webinar, visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6647723536738560514.

 

In addition, on April 4, 2016, ISTC is organizing a conference, along with IL-IN Sea Grant and funded by the U of I Extension, titled ”PPCPs in the Environment”. The event will be held at the I-Hotel Conference Center in Champaign. The call for abstracts will be announced in December. More information on the conference will be available on the ISTC website at that time.

 

 

 

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Water Environment Federation Technical Conference to broadcast two sessions free on Sept. 28

WEFTEC®, the Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference, is the largest conference of its kind in North America. Cutting-edge technical sessions and workshops address topics including collection systems; resource recovery, including nutrients and energy; plant operations, treatment, and management; regulations and research; residuals and biosolids; stormwater management; water recycling, and more.

 

WEFTEC 2015 will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from September 26–30, 2015. Two sessions will be broadcast live on the morning of Monday, September 28.

  • Opening General session – Leading the Water Resource Revolution will be from 8:15 – 9:30 am CDT. The session will feature remarks from WEF President Ed McCormick and a keynote address from Rob Stewart, an award-winning biologist, photographer, conservationist, filmmaker, and author. Stewart will discuss his film, Revolution, and his efforts to raise awareness about the greatest evolutionary journey in human history and the awe-inspiring revolution that’s underway to save life on Earth. Stewart’s thought-provoking presentation will help frame the water sector’s own revolutionary efforts to transform sustainable water management and push water to the forefront of innovation.
  • Water Leaders session – The Impact of Leadership: Culture, Communication, and Community in Great Water Cities – will be shown from 10 – 11:45 CDT. All water utilities and cities are faced with rapidly changing pressures. Whether it’s changing economic conditions, increasing regulations, or a changing climate, strong leadership is needed to plan, respond, and move quickly, all while maintaining current levels of service. Come hear from water leaders who are driving transformational shifts at their organizations, effectively changing the culture, communicating strategically, and engaging the community for a more resilient future.
     
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ISTC @ iSEE Water Congress Sept. 14-16, 2015

iSEE Water Planet, Water Crisis? graphicISTC will participate next week in the U of I’s Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) second annual international conference titled  “Water Planet, Water Crises? Meeting the World’s Water-Food-Energy Needs Sustainably”.  The iSEE Water Congress is set for Sept. 14-16, 2015, in the Alice Campbell Alumni Center on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Registration is free for the event.

 

ISTC will have three posters in the Water Congress poster sessions showcasing various projects they are involved with on water quality and conservation:

Continue reading “ISTC @ iSEE Water Congress Sept. 14-16, 2015”

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Sustainability Seminar Series Fall 2015: Water Quality & Water Conservation

The ISTC Sustainability Seminar series continues this fall with the theme “Water Quality and Water Conservation.” The series kicks off with a talk by Walt Kelly of the Illinois State Water Survey titled “State & Regional Water Supply Planning in Illinois” on Sept. 10, 2015, from noon to 1 pm (abstract below). For more details on these seminars, please visit ISTC’s event calendar. To be added to the seminar and events email list or to receive links to the live broadcasts of the seminars, please contact Beth Meschewski at elm2@illinois.edu.

 

State & Regional Water Supply Planning in Illinois

Presented by Walt Kelly – Illinois State Water Survey on Sept. 10

In 2006, Executive Order 2006-01 called for the development of state and regional water supply planning under the direction of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois has been divided into 10 regions for water supply planning. For each region, a regional water supply planning committee (RWSPC) is formed, comprised of members from major stakeholder groups (e.g., agriculture, industry, mining, environmental, municipal, etc.). The State Water and Geological Surveys are responsible for scientific studies of Illinois’ water resources, working closely with the RWSPCs to optimize planning efforts. Plans have been developed for three regions (Northeast Illinois, East-Central Illinois, and the Kaskaskia River Basin). In 2014, funding was made available to start planning in two new regions (Middle Illinois River Basin and Northwest Illinois) and a sub-region (Kankakee River Basin). In this presentation, I will discuss past, current, and future water supply planning activities in Illinois, focusing on scientific work being done at the Water Survey.

 

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Could meat production cause pharmaceutical and hormone pollution in lakes and streams?

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy eating a big juicy steak as much as the next person. But you’ve got to wonder: How was this animal raised? Where does its waste go as it is creating that delicious steak? What impact does it have on the environment? Can we improve the “system”?

 

lots of pigs are crammed into small pens in a long large warehouse style barn

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation

A recent Science Friday episode, “Tales from ‘Big Pig’,” discussed a new book by Barry Estabrook, titled, “Pig Tales: An Omnivore’s Quest for Sustainable Meat.” In it he discusses the environmental and social impacts of raising animals on concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) for mass meat consumption. Included in the discussion are the differences in the regulations for treating animal waste versus human waste. He pointed out that there are little to no regulations requiring animal farmers to treat wastewater runoff from their farms.

Continue reading “Could meat production cause pharmaceutical and hormone pollution in lakes and streams?”