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LAWRENCE — A new wind farm that came online in north central Kansas this month is helping the University of Kansas meet its sustainability goal of offsetting carbon emissions with energy from renewable sources.
KU’s participation in Evergy’s Renewables Direct program supported construction of the Soldier Creek Wind Farm in Nemaha County. Located approximately 80 miles northwest of Lawrence, that 300-megawatt (MW) wind farm with 121 turbines is now producing power.
The 20-year commitment KU signed with Evergy in October 2018 provides the university with a stable, affordable electricity rate for the Lawrence campus, with expected cost savings of $250,000 to $350,000 annually.
“Renewables Direct furthers the university’s commitment to sustainability by supporting Kansas wind energy,” said Jeff Severin, KU Center for Sustainability director. “Our participation in the program encourages growth of clean energy and shows our support for modernizing how electricity is produced.”
Renewables Direct allows commercial and industrial customers to offset some or all of their energy usage through a renewable resource. The program provides large customers a path toward their sustainability goals with renewable energy, while providing long-term price stability and cost savings. As new customers enroll in the program, Evergy expands its renewable energy sources to serve them and help them meet their sustainability goals.
Commercial and industrial customers who use at least 200 kilowatts (kW) a month and who are interested in the program can sign up for offsets in 200 kW increments up to 1 MW. Offsets are purchased in 500 kW increments thereafter. Participants sign an agreement lasting five, 10, 15 or 20 years, and the cost of the energy produced through the program is expected to be cheaper than energy produced by burning fossil fuels.
“I congratulate the University of Kansas for advancing its sustainability goals by supporting renewable electricity from wind,” said Jeff Martin, Evergy vice president, community and customer operations. “KU’s commitment helps grow wind development in our area, demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, drives investment in local communities and creates green jobs.”
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Contact: Nicole Perry, Center for Undergraduate Research, 785-864-3391, [email protected], @ugresearch
Undergraduate students present research projects at online event
LAWRENCE — The week of Nov. 30 through Dec. 4, more than 50 students will share their research and creative projects at the online Fall Undergraduate Research Showcase. Topics include cancer research as well as how land use changes have affected eastern Kansas streams.
An online platform will showcase the work of students from departments across campus, and the general public is invited view student work at any time during the week. This is the third iteration of this fall event that is sponsored by KU’s Center for Undergraduate Research, though it is the first time that the event is online.
“Amid all the disruptions that COVID-19 has presented, instructors, mentors and students have found creative ways to stay engaged with undergraduate research,” said Alison Olcott, director of the Center for Undergraduate Research. “Instructors have worked research projects into their online classes. Some students have been safely doing research on campus, while other student have found ways to carry on with their research from their apartments. I applaud everyone’s dedication to keep developing the research skills that are a hallmark of an undergraduate education at a research university, and I encourage the campus community to get online this week to see the fruits of their work.”
Members of the campus community and the general public are invited to view student presentations through the Fall Undergraduate Research Showcase website anytime this week. Those with a KU online ID are able to log in to leave comments for the student presenters.
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New wind farm helps KU offset electricity needs with renewable energy
