{"id":66,"date":"2020-10-02T19:38:48","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T19:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu\/?post_type=location&p=66"},"modified":"2023-12-14T21:57:51","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T21:57:51","slug":"uc-merced","status":"publish","type":"location","link":"https:\/\/sustainabilityreport.ucop.edu\/2023\/locations\/uc-merced\/","title":{"rendered":"UC Merced"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UC Merced continues to make great strides to build on its culture of sustainability. Efforts are underway to engage a consultant to assess existing fossil fuel-based systems on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The consultant will develop strategies the campus can adopt to transition existing systems to electric and eliminate the use of fossil fuels in future operations. UC Merced also recently installed electric vehicle charging on-site, increasing the campus\u2019s capacity to accommodate the transition to clean vehicle use for community members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More about Sustainability at UC Merced<\/summary>\n

The campus is planning for and designing a medical education building that will target LEED Platinum certification. This building will be all-electric, prioritizing in the design a shade structure to reduce energy consumption and a smart facade to avoid excess solar heat gain and glare. The building will also include infrastructure to accommodate the installation of a photovoltaic system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An infrastructure and utility master plan for future campus expansion is also in progress. Planned efforts for the phased expansion will evaluate the campus utility capacity and include strategies to support the electrification of the next phase of campus development. The concepts will also include consideration of on-site renewable energy and electrical and thermal energy storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UC Merced is also prioritizing the assessment of existing on-site infrastructure to eliminate waste. Scaling and increasing centralized waste locations has been essential to establishing the infrastructure needed to support zero waste on campus. The Pavilion and Dining Commons transitioned to reusable dishware to reduce waste, cut costs and enhance the overall dining experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UC Merced will also launch an on-site composting program utilizing green waste. The program will serve as a demonstration site for student learning and support faculty research. It will also reduce the amount of compost purchased by the campus and expenses associated with green waste hauling fees. Students will be a vital part of the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the campus is exploring establishing nature trails on campus that will give students an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, highlight native plant species and provide areas of respite for animals and insects to help build biodiversity on campus.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

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Sustainability at UC Merced<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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Experimental Smart Farm at UC Merced Integrates Fossil-free Technology<\/a><\/h3>\n

UC Merced\u2019s Experimental Smart Farm enables experiments, such as use of a state-of-the art electric tractor and study of agrivoltaics to generate shade and renewable energy via solar voltaic panels. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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UC Merced Researchers Receive State-funded Grants To Spur Climate Action<\/a><\/h3>\n

Four researchers at UC Merced received grants stemming from a historic partnership between UC and the state of California. The projects \u2014 focused on improving community preparedness for emergency evacuation using zero-emission vehicles, increasing publicly available tools for climate-smart seed sourcing for reforestation, developing new equity-centered water planning tools and providing decision support for optimal benefits from California\u2019s methane policy \u2014 respond to the call for innovative proposals to support California\u2019s climate action. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n