Projects and Events
current
Power Bike Expansion (ACTIVE)
UMN Energy Club has built a bicycle generator to bring to demonstrations for outreach purposes. The bike illustrates how energy gets converted throughout a system, starting from mechanical energy of pedaling, and ending up as electricity. We are looking to expand this demonstration rig by building a panel of incandescent, CFL, and LED lightbulbs. Users will be able to select a lightbulb technology, and they will light up in succession as the user pedals faster. The user will be able to light up many more LED lights than incandescent ones, demonstrating the concept of energy efficiency. We are also developing an additional interactive display panel that illustrates how energy is converted in various ways before it reaches our homes as electricity. Again, this demonstrates concepts of energy conversion and energy efficiency, as energy is lost during transport. Those interested in working on this project should contact Brandon Noel (noelx079).
UMN Energy Club has built a bicycle generator to bring to demonstrations for outreach purposes. The bike illustrates how energy gets converted throughout a system, starting from mechanical energy of pedaling, and ending up as electricity. We are looking to expand this demonstration rig by building a panel of incandescent, CFL, and LED lightbulbs. Users will be able to select a lightbulb technology, and they will light up in succession as the user pedals faster. The user will be able to light up many more LED lights than incandescent ones, demonstrating the concept of energy efficiency. We are also developing an additional interactive display panel that illustrates how energy is converted in various ways before it reaches our homes as electricity. Again, this demonstrates concepts of energy conversion and energy efficiency, as energy is lost during transport. Those interested in working on this project should contact Brandon Noel (noelx079).
Earth Day 2016, Apr-22 (ACTIVE)
We are partnering with ESA (ESPM (Environmental Science, Policy, and Management) Student Association) and Spring Jam to host an expo for Earth Day. Those interested in working on this project should contact Rachel Kosse (kosse017).
We are partnering with ESA (ESPM (Environmental Science, Policy, and Management) Student Association) and Spring Jam to host an expo for Earth Day. Those interested in working on this project should contact Rachel Kosse (kosse017).
Energy Venture Series (ACTIVE)
This is UMN Energy Club's first collaborative event with other student groups. Partnering with Design-U, a group focused on product design, and Co-Lab, a student-run entrepreneurship/incubator group, we are organizing a series of two to three events this fall that focus on innovation and entrepreneurship in energy. The events will connect students with each other, innovation resources on campus, and the greater entrepreneurship community. One key emphasis on the event is to bring together students with diverse experiences and academic backgrounds. Those interested in working on this project should contact Nathan Crymble (crymb002).
This is UMN Energy Club's first collaborative event with other student groups. Partnering with Design-U, a group focused on product design, and Co-Lab, a student-run entrepreneurship/incubator group, we are organizing a series of two to three events this fall that focus on innovation and entrepreneurship in energy. The events will connect students with each other, innovation resources on campus, and the greater entrepreneurship community. One key emphasis on the event is to bring together students with diverse experiences and academic backgrounds. Those interested in working on this project should contact Nathan Crymble (crymb002).
Solar DIY Workshop (ACTIVE)
Energy Club is also collaborating with Innovative Engineers to host a weekend DIY workshop for students to build a simple solar cellphone charger. This workshop will educate students about the bare minimum of components needed to produce electricity from solar power. At the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to take their solar charger home. Those interested in working on this project should contact Thomas Seagrist (seagr016).
Energy Club is also collaborating with Innovative Engineers to host a weekend DIY workshop for students to build a simple solar cellphone charger. This workshop will educate students about the bare minimum of components needed to produce electricity from solar power. At the end of the workshop, attendees will be able to take their solar charger home. Those interested in working on this project should contact Thomas Seagrist (seagr016).
Sub-Metering (PENDING)
Our goal is to sub-meter dorms and other campus buildings in order to show how efficient/inefficient the buildings are. This will lead to people being more conscious of their actions and ultimately reduce power usage. Reducing power usage will save money and reduce pollutants. We are currently investigating the feasibility. Here is a list of buildings and their energy usage.
Our goal is to sub-meter dorms and other campus buildings in order to show how efficient/inefficient the buildings are. This will lead to people being more conscious of their actions and ultimately reduce power usage. Reducing power usage will save money and reduce pollutants. We are currently investigating the feasibility. Here is a list of buildings and their energy usage.
Past
Boy Scouts Day 2016, Apr-2
Energy Club is teaching a workshop for Boy Scouts to earn their Energy Merit Badge! Claudia, Maaz, and Claire had a successful day teaching Boy Scouts about energy.
Energy Club is teaching a workshop for Boy Scouts to earn their Energy Merit Badge! Claudia, Maaz, and Claire had a successful day teaching Boy Scouts about energy.
Winterization Campaign
We ended up giving away 70 window films in front of Coffman! This project is focused on bringing awareness of energy-saving tips for the winter. We are compiling a short handout of said energy-saving tips and giving away free plastic window film insulation in front of Coffman. Recipients of free window film are asked to install their free film and take a picture, tagging UMN Energy Club on social media for a chance to win additional prizes.
We ended up giving away 70 window films in front of Coffman! This project is focused on bringing awareness of energy-saving tips for the winter. We are compiling a short handout of said energy-saving tips and giving away free plastic window film insulation in front of Coffman. Recipients of free window film are asked to install their free film and take a picture, tagging UMN Energy Club on social media for a chance to win additional prizes.
Paper Towel Reduction Project
Active Energy Club and Facilities Management are creating paper towel posters to put up in bathrooms all over campus. These posters will help remind students to limit the number of paper towels they use to dry their hands.
Off the Grid
Active Energy Club members went "off the grid" one night in January of 2011 to raise awareness for electrical usage among students.
Minnesota Daily Article
Minnesota Daily Article
Alternative Energy Conference
AEC hosted an alternative energy conference open to the public. This conference helped educate attendees about different aspects of energy usage, such as how power grids function and how wind turbines work.
EarthFest
AEC has taken part in EarthFest in Brooklyn Park the past two years.
Educational Studies
AEC has conducted multiple studies in the past to better understand energy usage around campus. Past studies include an escalator usage study and a parking ramp study.
Audits
Active Energy Club members took part in energy audits of Proto labs in order to help them save more energy.
Energy Bike Project
AEC successfully built a stationary bike which can turn on lighbulbs of different types. This educational tool is used quite often by AEC and other groups on campus.
Paint the Bridge
AEC participated in painting a panel of the Washington Avenue bridge this past fall.
Freshman Engineering Mentorship
AEC members have been involved with the freshman seminar, CSE 1001. Members are able to provide helpful insight to college freshman as well as help them complete an engineering project.
Energy Cycle
We fitted an exercise bike with a blender with which to make smoothies! The bike can also be used to charge a phone or a battery while it's is being ridden.
CFL/LED Giveaway
Each Spring, UMN Energy Club takes part in CSE week by hosting an efficient lightbulb giveaway. Last year give away around 1,000 bulbs!
Outreach
UMN energy club takes part in outreach at student organization fairs in order to educate the public about our club and our purpose. Our most recent outreach was at the Sustainability Action Fair on Friday September 4th in the Learning and Environmental Sciences Building on the St. Paul campus from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.