University of Iowa
Renewable Energy
The University of Iowa is an emerging leader in renewable energy strategies and sustainability practices. From renewable fuels to wind power and sustainable design, Iowa is pioneering the way in current efforts toward an energy-independent future.
The UI's Environmental Portfolio
Biomass Fuels
Carbon Emission Reduction - Chicago Climate Exchange
Oakdale Renewable Energy Plant
Exploring New Energy Sources
Video Feature
UI Power Plant - Oat Hull Project Take a front row seat as cameras go inside the UI Power Plant for an up close view of the innovative and award-winning Biomass Fuel Project. The biomass fuel represents 20% of the fuel (coal, natural gas, and biomass) consumed in UI’s Main Power Plant.
Biomass Fuels
The UI Power Plant has pioneered a unique and innovative source of biomass fuel. A partnership with Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids Plant provides an economical, environmentally friendly source of fuel, oat hulls. The hulls are a by-product of the cereal making process at Quaker. They are trucked to the Power Plant and co-fired with coal in the circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler. Biomass Fuel Project
The energy produced from oat hull combustion replaces energy that would have been generated by burning coal. The oat hulls are biomass, and burning biomass does not result in new CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. When the oat plant grew, it absorbed CO2 from the atmosphere and released oxygen (photosynthesis). When the plant matter is burned, atmospheric oxygen is used in combustion and CO2 is released back into the atmosphere. However, when fossil fuels (such as coal and oil) are burned the CO2 they release adds to the global inventory of CO2, because the carbon in the fuel came from underground, versus the atmosphere. In 2004, the UI Biomass Fuel Project received two Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards and in 2005 received an Effective and Innovative Practices Award from the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers.
Protecting the environment with green power
The UI's on-site power plant uses oat hulls to generate:
- Nearly 9 million kilowatt-hours of biomass power annually, equivalent to 3 percent of its electricity use
- Enough energy to power almost 900 average American homes annually
- Carbon dioxide emissions saved by burning oat hulls in place of coal is equivalent to taking 1,200 passenger vehicles off the road each year.
FAQs about Biomass at UI
Calendar Year |
Biomass Oat Hulls (tons) |
Coal Displaced (tons) |
CO2 Reduction (tons) |
Boiler 11 Heat Input from Biomass |
2003 |
20,941 |
11,511 |
28,385 |
18% |
2004 |
27,396 |
16,636 |
41,024 |
24% |
2005 |
36,945 |
24,290 |
59,899 |
36% |
2006 |
41,514 |
27,424 |
67,627 |
41% |
2007 |
36,152 |
23,324 |
57,518 |
43% |
2008 |
26,915 |
17,929 |
44,213 |
41% |
**Note that in 2008 the power plant was off-line for about 4-months due to flooding. This resulted in less biomass and coal being burned during that time.
During this period (2003 – 2008), biomass represents an average of 12% of the University’s fuel (coal, natural gas, biomass) and electric power consumption.
How does the cost compare to coal? The UI pays for the oat hulls delivered to the main plant at a cost of about 1/2 that of an equivalent amount of coal.
How does the energy output of oat hulls compare to coal? Oat hulls have an energy content of 7,000 Btu/lb. Coal used in Boiler 11 has an energy content of 10,900 Btu/lb.
See how the University of Iowa has reduced its green house gas emissions with the oat hull (biomass) project. UI CO2 footprint
Carbon emission reduction
The University of Iowa reduced its CY07 carbon dioxide emissions 46,800 
metric tons more than required to meet the conditions of the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) membership. The requirement is 264,100 metric tons of CO2 - the UI emitted 217,200 actual metric tons. The University of Iowa partners with Quaker Oats Cedar Rapids Facility to use oat hulls, a byproduct of food making, as fuel in one of its boilers. The oat hull fuel displaces coal, and is considered a renewable, or CO2 neutral fuel.
In August 2004, The University of Iowa was the first Iowa-based commercial entity to join the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX). The University of Iowa is one of only five public Universities that belong to CCX. CCX is North America's only, and the world's first, greenhouse gas emission registry, reduction, and trading system for all six greenhouse gases (GHG). CCX is a self-regulatory, rules-based exchange designed and governed by CCX members. Members make a voluntary but legally binding commitment to reduce GHG emissions. The University completed CCX Phase I in 2006 and successfully reduced direct GHG emissions more than 4 percent below its baseline (average of 1998-2001emissions). The University has now entered CCX Phase II, which extends the reduction program through 2010; and will require all members to reduce GHG emissions another 2 percent, for a total of 6 percent below baseline by the end of 2010.
As a result of UI’s oat hull fuel project, from January 2003 through December 2007, the University displaced 103,185 tons of coal and avoided 254,000 tons of new CO2 emissions from coal burning. This equates to one year’s worth of coal consumption by UI, or the amount of CO2 emitted from more than 44,000 mid-size automobiles in one year, or the amount of CO2 absorbed by 39 million trees in one year.
Exploring New Energy Sources
The University of Iowa is continually looking for ways to conserve energy and utilize renewable energy sources.
Current projects in the investigative or planning stages:
Oakdale Renewable Energy Plant (OREP)- consideration is being given to constructing and operating an Oakdale Renewable Energy Plant (OREP) using alternative and renewable energy sources such as biomass, landfill gas, anaerobic digester methane, and gasified snags.
Wind Energy: The University of Iowa is exploring the possibilities of developing wind energy at or near the UI campus. This includes collecting wind velocity data at multiple sites and partnering with our utility providers, the College of Engineering and others to define what a project might look like.
Hydroelectric capabilities: The Power Plant was built in the 1920s and enclosed an existing hydroelectric facility. The hydroelectric facility continued to generate power until the 1960s, when the unit was shut down and the equipment removed. However, the structural portion of this facility is still inside the Power Plant and would support installation of hydroelectric generation equipment. An initial study has confirmed that it would be possible to restore hydroelectric generation to the Power Plant. We would expect about 500-KW of renewable energy would be generated from a restored hydroelectric generator.
Biomass alternatives: A number of biomass fuels are being studied. The success of the oat hull burning project has resulted in much favorable publicity regarding the University’s biomass fuel program. We are continuing to evaluate additional sources and types of biomass for use in the Power Plant.
Expand steam capabilities: The steam production capacity of the Power Plant needs to be increased in the near future. We are evaluating the possibility of installing a solid fuel furnace to produce steam using biomass fuels. This would substantially increase the percent of renewable energy in the University’s purchased energy portfolio.
Want to learn more?
Want to find out more about renewable energy at the UI or support renewable energy technologies?
Contact:
Ferman Milster
Associate Director, Utilities & Energy Management
319-335-5132
ferman-milster@uiowa.edu
List of UI Sustainable Practices