Mobile battery system to provide campus with clean power – Cornell Chronicle

Cornell University Mobile Energy Storage Pilot: A Case Study in Sustainable Development

Project Overview and Objectives

A pilot project has been initiated at Cornell University to replace diesel-powered generators with a mobile battery storage system for large-scale campus events. This initiative is a collaborative effort between Cornell University, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), energy storage firm Viridi, and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The primary objective is to transition to a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient power source for temporary needs, directly contributing to campus sustainability goals and serving as a scalable model for clean energy adoption.

• Problem Addressed: The use of diesel generators, which are costly ($1,000/day), noisy, and emit pollutants.
• Proposed Solution: An 8.5-by-3-foot mobile battery storage system designed by Viridi, providing 150 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
• Key Partners: Cornell University (Facilities and Campus Services, Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Campus Sustainability Office), NYPA, Viridi, and EPRI.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project significantly advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its design, partnerships, and intended outcomes.

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The core of the initiative is the replacement of fossil-fuel-based generators with a rechargeable, clean energy storage system. This directly supports the transition to modern, sustainable energy sources and reduces reliance on polluting fuels.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project showcases an innovative technological solution (the mobile battery) and fosters resilient infrastructure. The collaboration between academia, state authorities, and private industry exemplifies the innovative partnerships needed to upgrade infrastructure for sustainability.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By eliminating noise and exhaust fumes from campus events, the project improves the quality of life and reduces the environmental impact on the campus community, making it safer, more inclusive, and sustainable.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action: A primary outcome is the reduction of the carbon footprint associated with large events. This tangible action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions is a direct contribution to climate action.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project is founded on a multi-stakeholder partnership that brings together public (NYPA), private (Viridi), academic (Cornell), and non-profit research (EPRI) sectors to achieve shared sustainability objectives.

Technological Innovation and Safety

The Viridi-designed system represents an advancement in mobile energy storage technology with a strong emphasis on safety and reliability, crucial for achieving SDG 9.

System Specifications

• Capacity: 150 kWh, sufficient to power a small home for several days.
• Portability: Mounted on a trailer for easy transport to various campus locations.
• Safety Design: Utilizes lithium-ion cells engineered to prevent “cascading thermal runaway,” a common cause of battery fires. The system is designed to be failsafe and passive.
• Certification: The system is cETLus-listed, meeting a key safety certification standard for electronics in the U.S. and Canada.

Implementation and Performance Monitoring

A critical phase of the pilot involves comprehensive monitoring and analysis to ensure the project’s success and inform future deployments, aligning with the data-driven approach of the SDGs.

Monitoring Activities

• Performance Tracking: NYPA and EPRI will monitor the system’s performance, cost savings, and carbon reduction across different use cases.
• Regulatory Analysis: The project serves as a case study to understand and streamline the permitting, codes, and standards for adopting renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing barriers to achieving SDG 7.

Future Implications and Scalability

The pilot is envisioned as a foundational step toward broader adoption of clean energy solutions on campus and beyond.

Potential Expansion

1. Academic Integration: Cornell faculty are exploring ways to incorporate the battery system into research projects.
2. Campus Infrastructure: Cornell Facilities and Campus Services is considering the use of additional units to replace or supplement the nearly 100 fixed diesel backup generators across campus. This would represent a significant step in decarbonizing campus infrastructure and enhancing resilience, contributing to both SDG 9 and SDG 11.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights a pilot project at Cornell University that replaces diesel generators with a mobile battery storage system. This initiative directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, climate action, and collaborative partnerships.

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   This goal is central to the article. The project’s primary purpose is to replace a “noisy diesel generator that guzzles gas, emits fumes” with a “quiet, clean alternative.” This shift from fossil fuel-based power to a clean energy storage solution directly supports the transition to more sustainable energy systems.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   The article describes an innovative technological solution—a mobile battery storage system designed by Viridi. The pilot project itself is an example of testing and adopting new, sustainable infrastructure to serve campus needs, from events to potential emergency backup power. The collaboration aims to “smooth the adoption of these fully renewable technologies” by understanding regulations and permitting, fostering innovation.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   A university campus functions as a micro-community. By implementing this project, Cornell is making its “city” more sustainable. The initiative reduces the adverse environmental impact of campus activities by eliminating fumes (improving air quality) and noise pollution, thereby enhancing the quality of life for students, staff, and event guests.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   A key benefit highlighted is the reduction of the events’ “carbon footprint.” By replacing diesel generators, which are a source of greenhouse gas emissions, with a clean battery system, the project serves as a direct measure to combat climate change at a local level and contributes to broader climate action goals.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   The article repeatedly emphasizes the collaborative nature of the project. It is described as a “pilot between Cornell, New York state and industry,” specifically naming the partners: Cornell University, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Viridi (an energy storage company), and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). This multi-stakeholder partnership is crucial for “accelerating the adoption of sustainable solutions to climate change.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The project promotes a clean energy storage system, which is essential for integrating intermittent renewable sources and replacing fossil fuels, thus contributing to an increased share of clean energy. The article explicitly mentions “accelerating the clean energy transition.”
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The partnership between a university, a state authority, and industry to pilot and scale a new clean energy technology directly reflects the spirit of this target.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable… The project involves upgrading the temporary power infrastructure for campus events to a sustainable model and explores replacing nearly 100 diesel backup generators, which is a significant infrastructure upgrade.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The replacement of diesel generators that “emit fumes” with a “clean alternative” directly addresses the goal of improving local air quality and reducing the environmental impact of campus activities.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. While at a local level, Cornell’s initiative to “reduce events’ carbon footprint” is an example of integrating climate change mitigation measures into institutional planning and operations.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The project is explicitly presented as a successful public-private partnership involving Cornell (academia/civil society), NYPA (public authority), and Viridi/EPRI (private/nonprofit sector).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article explicitly and implicitly mentions several indicators that can be used to measure the project’s success and its contribution to the SDGs.

• Carbon Savings: The article states that “NYPA and EPRI will track… the cost and carbon savings.” This is a direct quantitative indicator for measuring progress towards SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Clean Energy).
• Cost Savings: The tracking of “cost savings” is another key performance indicator. The article notes that renting a diesel generator costs “up to $1,000 a day,” providing a baseline for measuring the economic benefits of the new system, relevant to SDG 9 (Sustainable Infrastructure).
• Reduction in Air and Noise Pollution: The replacement of a “noisy diesel generator that… emits fumes” with a “quiet, clean alternative” implies measurable improvements in local air quality and a reduction in noise levels. These are qualitative and quantitative indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• System Performance and Reliability: The plan to “track the system’s performance across different use cases” serves as an indicator of the technology’s effectiveness and reliability, which is crucial for scaling the solution (SDG 9). The article also highlights its safety features (“failsafe, passive system”) and certifications (“cETLus-listed”).
• Number of Units Deployed: The potential to replace “nearly 100 diesel generators” on campus with additional battery units serves as an indicator of the technology’s adoption and the scaling of its impact (SDG 7 and SDG 9).
• Formation of Multi-stakeholder Partnerships: The existence of the collaboration itself, involving four distinct types of partners (Cornell, NYPA, Viridi, EPRI), is an indicator for SDG 17.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: news.cornell.edu