Richland Community College Commitment to Sustainability.

Richland Community Richland Community CollegeCollege

Commitment to Commitment to SustainabilitySustainability

Richland's Richland's Renewable/Sustainable Renewable/Sustainable Resources & ProgramsResources & Programs

Wind EnergyWind Energy Solar EnergySolar Energy Geothermal & Biomass HeatingGeothermal & Biomass Heating Sustainable Agriculture ProgramSustainable Agriculture Program Biofuels ProgramBiofuels Program Carbon Sequestration ProgramCarbon Sequestration Program

Richland Community College Richland Community College Wind TurbineWind Turbine

Erected in 2009, this Erected in 2009, this is the first wind is the first wind turbine on a turbine on a community college in community college in Illinois.Illinois.

The turbine has the The turbine has the potential to provide potential to provide all of the electricity all of the electricity for Richland’s new for Richland’s new Center for Center for Sustainability and Sustainability and Innovation.Innovation.

Richland Community College Richland Community College Wind TurbineWind Turbine

RCC Wind TurbineRCC Wind Turbine

-- 150’ tall ; blades 32’ 10” 150’ tall ; blades 32’ 10”

-- Generates 100 kilowatts (kw) of electricity Generates 100 kilowatts (kw) of electricity at its peakat its peak

-- Potential to generate 200,000 kilowatt Potential to generate 200,000 kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity per yearhours (kwh) of electricity per year

-- Cost: $600,000Cost: $600,000

RCC Wind Turbine RCC Wind Turbine Performance Since Performance Since

October 2009 October 2009 Total EnergyTotal Energy

459,444 kwh459,444 kwhTotal energy Total energy generated by generated by system since system since installationinstallation


October 2009 October 2009 Cost SavingsCost Savings

$41,349$41,349Estimated Estimated avoided avoided electricity cost electricity cost based on based on $0.09/kwh$0.09/kwh


October 2009 October 2009 Environmental Environmental

EquivalentEquivalent

RCC turbine has RCC turbine has generated generated enough enough electricity to electricity to power 143 power 143 houses for one houses for one year.year.


October 2009October 2009 Pollution PreventedPollution Prevented

RCC turbine has RCC turbine has prevented 613,357 prevented 613,357 lbs of COlbs of CO22 from being from being emitted into the emitted into the atmosphere.atmosphere.


October 2009October 2009 613,357 lbs of 613,357 lbs of

COCO2 2 is is equivalent to the equivalent to the COCO22 emitted by a emitted by a family car family car driving 971,907 driving 971,907 miles.miles.


October 2009October 2009 It would take It would take

12,772 mature 12,772 mature trees one year to trees one year to remove 613,357 remove 613,357 lbs of COlbs of CO22 from from the atmosphere the atmosphere in the process of in the process of photosynthesisphotosynthesis..


October 2009October 2009 Pollution Pollution

PreventedPrevented

RCC turbine has RCC turbine has prevented 2,205 lbs prevented 2,205 lbs of SOof SO2 2 from being from being emitted into the emitted into the atmosphere.atmosphere.


October 2009October 2009 Pollution Pollution

PreventedPrevented

RCC turbine has RCC turbine has prevented 872 lbs prevented 872 lbs of NOxof NOx from being from being emitted into the emitted into the atmosphere.atmosphere.

Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture ProgramProgram For over 25 years, there has been an For over 25 years, there has been an

agriculture program at Richland Community agriculture program at Richland Community College.College.

The program provides students practical The program provides students practical experience in planting, cultivating, and experience in planting, cultivating, and harvesting a variety of agricultural and harvesting a variety of agricultural and horticultural plants.horticultural plants.

Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture ProgramProgram Richland’s Land Lab is an outdoor classroom for Richland’s Land Lab is an outdoor classroom for

research, demonstration, and crop production.research, demonstration, and crop production. The site includes:The site includes:-- 2 production greenhouses (2,400 sq. ft.)2 production greenhouses (2,400 sq. ft.)-- perennial nurseryperennial nursery-- composting binscomposting bins-- All American Selections Display Garden for flowers and All American Selections Display Garden for flowers and

vegetablesvegetables

Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture ProgramProgram-- farm plots with fruit trees, brambles, and farm plots with fruit trees, brambles, and

vegetables (38,400 sq. ft.)vegetables (38,400 sq. ft.)

-- 2 cold frame greenhouses (960 sq. ft.)2 cold frame greenhouses (960 sq. ft.)

-- flower and perennial gardens (16,000 sq. flower and perennial gardens (16,000 sq. ft.)ft.)

-- shade plant structure (500 sq. ft.)shade plant structure (500 sq. ft.)

-- student designed and constructed walks, student designed and constructed walks, waterfall, retaining walls, patio, and waterfall, retaining walls, patio, and outdoor kitchenoutdoor kitchen

Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture ProgramProgram The Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is designed to The Sustainable Agriculture curriculum is designed to

provide the entrepreneurial and technical skills provide the entrepreneurial and technical skills necessary to manage a profitable, environmentally necessary to manage a profitable, environmentally sound, community-based small farm or agricultural sound, community-based small farm or agricultural business. Students learn the fundamentals of business. Students learn the fundamentals of sustainable agriculture focusing on crop production, sustainable agriculture focusing on crop production, sustainable livestock production, and farm business. sustainable livestock production, and farm business. Emphasis is placed on entrepreneurial and practical Emphasis is placed on entrepreneurial and practical field training. Students will complete a business plan field training. Students will complete a business plan and an agricultural internship in sustainable farming.and an agricultural internship in sustainable farming.

Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture ProgramProgram For more information, contact:For more information, contact:

David McLaughlinDavid McLaughlinProfessor of HorticultureProfessor of Horticulture217-875-7211, ext. 562217-875-7211, ext. [email protected]@richland.edu

Biofuels ProgramBiofuels Program Associate of Associate of

Applied ScienceApplied ScienceBioprocess Operator SpecialtyBioprocess Operator SpecialtyBiofuels Technician SpecialtyBiofuels Technician Specialty

CertificatesCertificatesBiofuels TechnicianBiofuels TechnicianBiofuels Control Systems Biofuels Control Systems TechnicianTechnician

Biofuels ProgramBiofuels Program For what will I be prepared?For what will I be prepared?

The knowledge base of this program The knowledge base of this program prepares students for hands-on careers in prepares students for hands-on careers in plant operation, management, and repair plant operation, management, and repair at the technician level. Classes are taught at the technician level. Classes are taught by Richland and industry-experienced by Richland and industry-experienced professional instructors to become a vital professional instructors to become a vital part of the workforce. part of the workforce.

Ethanol Trainer SystemEthanol Trainer System

Biodiesel Trainer SystemBiodiesel Trainer System

MYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOLMYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOL Myth #1: It Takes More Myth #1: It Takes More

Energy To Produce Alcohol Energy To Produce Alcohol Than You Get From It!Than You Get From It!

Energy returned on energy invested (EROEI) Energy returned on energy invested (EROEI) for fuel alcohol production is dependent on co-for fuel alcohol production is dependent on co-products and their contribution to an accurate products and their contribution to an accurate portrayal. Oil has a negative EROEI. Alcohol in portrayal. Oil has a negative EROEI. Alcohol in America is already energy-positive on grain, America is already energy-positive on grain, will be greater on cellulose, and even greater will be greater on cellulose, and even greater EROEI on algae, even when using coal and EROEI on algae, even when using coal and natural gas for process heat.natural gas for process heat.

MYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOLMYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOL Myth #2: There Isn’t Enough Myth #2: There Isn’t Enough

Land To Grow Crops For Both Land To Grow Crops For Both Food and Fuel!Food and Fuel!

According to the USDA, the United States has According to the USDA, the United States has 434,164,946 acres of “cropland.” In addition 434,164,946 acres of “cropland.” In addition to cropland, the U.S. has 939,279,056 acres of to cropland, the U.S. has 939,279,056 acres of “farmland.” Using a feedstock combination of “farmland.” Using a feedstock combination of grain and grain stover, lawn grass (yes, lawn grain and grain stover, lawn grass (yes, lawn grass), and mesquite (yes, cultivated grass), and mesquite (yes, cultivated mesquite), there is enough land for both food mesquite), there is enough land for both food and fuel. and fuel.

MYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOLMYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOL Myth #3: Ethanol An Myth #3: Ethanol An

Ecological Nightmare!Ecological Nightmare! For fuel alcohol to be viable, ultimate For fuel alcohol to be viable, ultimate

feedstocks must be perennial by nature (sugar feedstocks must be perennial by nature (sugar cane, perennial grasses, shrubs, and trees). cane, perennial grasses, shrubs, and trees). Worldwide, the major crop used for alcohol Worldwide, the major crop used for alcohol fuel is sugarcane, which is planted only once fuel is sugarcane, which is planted only once every 5-10 years (compared to corn) and can every 5-10 years (compared to corn) and can be harvested continually. Additionally, little be harvested continually. Additionally, little fertilization is needed since co-products of fertilization is needed since co-products of alcohol production are applied back to the soil. alcohol production are applied back to the soil. Finally, the root systems of perennial plants Finally, the root systems of perennial plants hold the soil in place, preventing erosion.hold the soil in place, preventing erosion.

MYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOLMYTHS OF FUEL ALCOHOL Myth #4: Ethanol Doesn’t Myth #4: Ethanol Doesn’t

Substantially Improve Air Substantially Improve Air Quality!Quality!

Adding as little as 5-10% ethanol to gasoline Adding as little as 5-10% ethanol to gasoline reduces virtually every class of air pollutant from reduces virtually every class of air pollutant from automobile exhaust. Using pure ethanol reduces automobile exhaust. Using pure ethanol reduces emissions of the three major air pollutants emissions of the three major air pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons) by >90% compared to gasoline. hydrocarbons) by >90% compared to gasoline. Additionally, ethanol carries none of the heavy Additionally, ethanol carries none of the heavy metals and sulfuric acid that gasoline exhausts metals and sulfuric acid that gasoline exhausts do. do.

Biofuels ProgramBiofuels Program For more information, contact: For more information, contact:

David Larrick, Ph.D.David Larrick, Ph.D.Director, Sequestration ProgramDirector, Sequestration Program217-875-7211, ext. 730217-875-7211, ext. [email protected]@richland.edu

Illinois Industrial Carbon Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Sequestration (IL Capture and Sequestration (IL

ICCS) ProjectICCS) Project Decatur is home to the IL ICCS Project.Decatur is home to the IL ICCS Project. This project is led by ADM and is cost-This project is led by ADM and is cost-

shared by the U.S. Department of shared by the U.S. Department of Energy. Energy.

Project partners include Schlumberger Project partners include Schlumberger Carbon Services, the Illinois State Carbon Services, the Illinois State Geological Survey, and Richland Geological Survey, and Richland Community College.Community College.

Illinois Industrial Carbon Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Sequestration (IL Capture and Sequestration (IL

ICCS) ProjectICCS) Project This is an industrial-scale demonstration This is an industrial-scale demonstration

project that targets to capture and store project that targets to capture and store COCO2 2 at a rate of one million tons per year by at a rate of one million tons per year by 2015. The CO2015. The CO22 will be stored 7,000 ft. will be stored 7,000 ft. below ground in the Mt. Simon Sandstone below ground in the Mt. Simon Sandstone rock formation.rock formation.

One million tons of COOne million tons of CO22 is equivalent to the is equivalent to the annual COannual CO22 emissions of more than 200,000 emissions of more than 200,000 automobiles.automobiles.

Mount Simon Sandstone and Mount Simon Sandstone and Shale SealsShale Seals

Mount Simon SandstoneMount Simon Sandstoneporous rock formation (10-porous rock formation (10-25% pore space) at more than 25% pore space) at more than a mile below the surface in a mile below the surface in Decatur, ILDecatur, IL1,600 ft. thick in Decatur, IL1,600 ft. thick in Decatur, ILliquid COliquid CO22 injected into pore injected into pore spacesspaces

Shale SealsShale Sealsmultiple cap rocks hundreds multiple cap rocks hundreds of ft. thick in Decatur, ILof ft. thick in Decatur, ILlow porosity low porosity act as a cap or seal for the act as a cap or seal for the injected COinjected CO22

Mount Simon Sandstone and Mount Simon Sandstone and Shale SealsShale Seals

Mount Simon Mount Simon Sandstone Sandstone Top photo shows sand Top photo shows sand grains (white structures) grains (white structures) and pore spaces (blue and pore spaces (blue structures).structures).

Shale SealsShale SealsBottom photo shows noBottom photo shows no

visible pore visible pore spaces.spaces.Red dot shows the sizeRed dot shows the size

of a pin head.of a pin head.

Carbon Sequestration Carbon Sequestration ProgramProgram

In collaboration with IL ICCS project In collaboration with IL ICCS project partners, Richland will develop an partners, Richland will develop an Associate of Applied Science degree in Associate of Applied Science degree in Engineering Technology, with a Engineering Technology, with a Sequestration Specialty.Sequestration Specialty.

Richland’s new degree program will Richland’s new degree program will provide students with a provide students with a broad broad understandingunderstanding of energy issues and an in- of energy issues and an in-depth knowledge of depth knowledge of technical conceptstechnical concepts associated with Carbon Capture, associated with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).


BIOL 210 – Environmental BiologyBIOL 210 – Environmental Biology

BIOL 210 provides a BIOL 210 provides a broad understandingbroad understanding of energy of energy issues and resources. Topics of discussion include:issues and resources. Topics of discussion include:Global WarmingGlobal WarmingFossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas)Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil, Natural Gas)Renewable Energy Sources (Hydroelectricity, Renewable Energy Sources (Hydroelectricity, Geothermal, Solar, Wind)Geothermal, Solar, Wind)Nuclear EnergyNuclear EnergyEnergy ConservationEnergy ConservationPersonal Energy ConsumptionPersonal Energy ConsumptionBiofuelsBiofuelsPerennial Energy GrassesPerennial Energy Grasses

Global WarmingGlobal WarmingCorrelation Between COCorrelation Between CO22 and and

TemperatureTemperature

Global WarmingGlobal Warming Global warming is Global warming is

causing the melting of causing the melting of glaciers – all over the glaciers – all over the world.world.

Rhone Glacier in Rhone Glacier in Switzerland in 1859 and Switzerland in 1859 and 20012001

In 1859, the glacier was In 1859, the glacier was 1.5 miles longer, with ice 1.5 miles longer, with ice filling much of the valley filling much of the valley in the photo.in the photo.

In 2001, the glacier was In 2001, the glacier was nearly out of view – nearly out of view – retreating 1500 feet in retreating 1500 feet in elevation.elevation.

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Global Global warming is warming is also causing also causing the melting of the melting of arctic sea ice.arctic sea ice.

Polar bears Polar bears live on sea live on sea iceice..

Global WarmingGlobal Warming

Polar bears are Polar bears are now an now an endangered endangered species due to species due to melting of arctic melting of arctic sea ice.sea ice.

By 2040, all By 2040, all arctic sea ice arctic sea ice may have may have meltedmelted..


In terms of In terms of technical conceptstechnical concepts associated with associated with CCUS, topics may include:CCUS, topics may include:Regional Geologic CharacterizationRegional Geologic CharacterizationFuture Commercial PotentialFuture Commercial PotentialTypes of Carbon SequestrationTypes of Carbon Sequestration

National Sequestration Education National Sequestration Education Center (NSEC)Center (NSEC)

Richland will construct Richland will construct the National the National Sequestration Education Sequestration Education Center (NSEC).Center (NSEC).

The NSEC will serve as (1) The NSEC will serve as (1) the training and education the training and education center for Richland’s AAS center for Richland’s AAS degree in Sequestration degree in Sequestration Technology and (2) the Technology and (2) the focal point for community focal point for community CCUS educational CCUS educational outreach activities such as outreach activities such as workshops, conferences, workshops, conferences, and public information and public information sessions.sessions.

National Sequestration National Sequestration Education Center (NSEC)Education Center (NSEC)

The NSEC will contain sustainability features, The NSEC will contain sustainability features, including a geothermal system for facility heating including a geothermal system for facility heating and cooling, two additional biomass furnaces, three and cooling, two additional biomass furnaces, three wind turbines, and three solar arrays.wind turbines, and three solar arrays.


For more For more information, contact:information, contact:David Larrick, Ph.D.David Larrick, Ph.D.Director, Director, Sequestration Sequestration ProgramProgram217-875-7211, ext. 217-875-7211, ext. 730730

[email protected]@richland.eduu


Wind energy, solar energy, geothermal and Wind energy, solar energy, geothermal and biomass heating, as well as sustainable biomass heating, as well as sustainable agriculture, biofuels, and carbon agriculture, biofuels, and carbon sequestration programs, all further sequestration programs, all further Richland’sRichland’s

““Commitment to Sustainability”Commitment to Sustainability”

Richland Community College Commitment to Sustainability.

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