University of Virginia students are helping the University refine its compliance with its environmental plan, which includes being carbon-neutral by 2030 and fossil fuel-free by 2050.
The Decarbonization Academy, sponsored by UVA Sustainability, has eight student teams focusing on topics such as plastics recycling, electric vehicles, geothermal energy and forest patches. About 24 students are fellows in the summer program, designed to focus on Grounds-engaged learning experiences around decarbonization and sustainability themes. Students commit to 40 hours of work per week over eight weeks and receive a stipend.
“They all do research on different components of the University’s decarbonization efforts, with the overall goal of helping the University meet its decarbonization goals,” said Ashlei Cleaves, a third-year student studying global commerce who is participating in the summer program.
Decarbonization Academy participants, from left, Ashlei Cleaves, Olivia Smith and Max Clements present their research in the Rotunda Dome Room. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Cleaves, from Loudoun County, is part of a three-person group working on geothermal energy, both in the abstract and in concrete; one focus is the geothermal plant the University is constructing at the Fontaine Research Park. Second-year teammate Max Clement, an economics major, is examining whether or not artificial intelligence can be used to better manage the plant. Third-year Olivia Smith, an environmental science major, is mapping geothermal feasibility nationwide. Muchun Liu and Yuhao (Ray) Ren, both Ph.D. students in civil engineering, worked as graduate mentors and contributed to the research.
“I’m comparing the Fontaine geoexchange to the historical legacy, such as combustion systems at the main heat plant,” Cleaves said, “so I can understand how we’re becoming more efficient, working toward our 2030 and 2050 decarbonization goals. To analyze their efficacy I benchmarked the combustion system to the projected the Fontaine system while also comparing them to a larger-scale geoexchange system, such as the one at Princeton University.”
Cleaves, from Loudoun County, is part of a three-person group working on geothermal energy, both in the abstract and in concrete; one focus is the geothermal plant the University is constructing at the Fontaine Research Park. Second-year teammate Max Clement, an economics major, is examining whether or not artificial intelligence can be used to better manage the plant. Third-year Olivia Smith, an environmental science major, is mapping geothermal feasibility nationwide. Muchun Liu and Yuhao (Ray) Ren, both Ph.D. students in civil engineering, worked as graduate mentors and contributed to the research.
“I’m comparing the Fontaine geoexchange to the historical legacy, such as combustion systems at the main heat plant,” Cleaves said, “so I can understand how we’re becoming more efficient, working toward our 2030 and 2050 decarbonization goals. To analyze their efficacy I benchmarked the combustion system to the projected the Fontaine system while also comparing them to a larger-scale geoexchange system, such as the one at Princeton University.”
The University is constructing a geothermal heat plant at the Fontaine Research Park. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Cleaves noted that Princeton is retrofitting geothermal into its existing system, while UVA is building a new plant, including plans to draw heat from a proposed data center. Geo-exchange, she said, is a robust method for reducing carbon as she foresees it diminishing academia’s need for carbon offsets.
Clement’s research is directed at the plant’s efficiency.
“I’m trying to see if an artificial intelligence agent can manage the plant more effectively than the rule-based controls they have implemented right now,” he said.
He said he is comparing artificial intelligence against manual operation and algorithms designed to run the place.
“I’m still getting results, so I can’t really make any conclusions right now,” he said. “It seems potentially promising to me, but I haven’t seen anything that convinces me that the University should switch off rule-based control, especially because there are a lot of environmental concerns with utilizing artificial intelligence in such an intensive way.”
Clements said the tools he learned in economics give him insight into a wide range of projects. He is also interested in trends in policy and energy, both nationally and globally.
.jpg)
