UNC works to be coal-free

This story appeared as part of the 2010 Year In Review issue. The Daily Tar Heel resumes publication Jan. 10.

As the year comes to a close, the University has begun taking further steps toward a coal-free future.

The Energy Task Force met monthly during the spring and fall semesters with that purpose in mind, developing recommendations for UNC’s path toward sustainability. The takeaway from the meetings was the University’s promise to go coal-free by 2020 among other goals.

The University made the pledge in May, which came less than three months after the first meeting of the task force. The announcement, delivered from the top of Rams Head Center, featured a reading of Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax.”

Members of the Sierra Student Coalition, whose lobbying of UNC helped lead to the creation of the task force in the first place, were present. The group protested UNC’s coal usage on the days of its meetings with everything from anti-coal cheers to dances.

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Because UNC’s coal-fired cogeneration plant on Cameron Avenue requires at least 50 percent solid matter to be fired, the primary means being pursued by the University is biomass. Some research is being done with Orange County’s municipal waste.

In September, a 50-ton test shipment of wood pellets from Franklin-based Carolina Wood Pellets arrived at the cogeneration plant, marking one of the first steps in the transition to biomass.

“We’re just testing the mechanisms of getting wood into the furnace,” said Phil Barner, the cogeneration systems manager for energy services, at the time of testing.
A more serious test-firing of 200 tons was meant to arrive in November, but logistical issues and a miscommunication between the University and Carolina Wood Pellets have delayed further testing until March.

The miscommunication regarded which type of rail car to use for transporting the pellets to the plant. The cars, originally chosen by Carolina Wood Pellets, were too small and not covered. By the time the issue was reconciled, it was too late to begin testing.

The delay met a negative response from the Sierra Student Coalition.

“It will be pretty challenging to meet the 2020 deadline if we keep delaying the initial test burning,” said Stewart Boss, co-chairman of the group.

Ray DuBose, director of Energy Services, defended the delay, saying March was a better time for testing because heat and steam will be in less demand, minimizing the risk to the University if something goes wrong.

“We postponed it to March knowing the weather is not as cold and we can run a better test,” he said.

In addition to the wood pellet shipment, UNC is set to test torrefied wood as a means of providing energy to campus. Torrefied wood is regular wood that has been burned slightly to remove moisture more easily.

The task force issued its final list of recommendations to the chancellor’s office on Oct. 29.

In a response letter, Chancellor Thorp thanked the group for its work.
“These recommendations will help us create an even greener campus for years to come,” it read.

Contact the University Editor at university@dailytarheel.com.