Appalachian State University
IN-47: Innovation A
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
BJ
Tipton AASHE STARS Scholar Office of Sustainability |
Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
The NEXUS research project is a collaborative effort of faculty and students from the departments of Sustainable Technology & the Built Environment and Applied Design. Their research enhances access to fresh local produce, improves the food-growing capacities and the standard of living for farmer communities in rural Appalachia, and conserves fossil-fuel energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions normally associated with greenhouse heating and transportation of non-local produce. This is done by using on-farm biomass resources/wastes such as wood chips, manures, and agricultural waste to produce energy through small-scale systems including pyrolysis (biochar), anaerobic digestion, and compost heating. These systems produce soil amendment co-products that become valuable farm inputs to build soil. Application of passive and active solar systems and thermal storage complement these greenhouse-heating systems.The Nexus demonstration site, located at the Watauga County Landfill, hosts a greenhouse with a small scale pyrolysis system, solar thermal heating system, compost heating system, an anaerobic digestion (AD) system, and aquaponics system.
https://energy.appstate.edu/nexus-integrated-sustainable-energy-enhancing-farm-productivity
Recent activities and accomplishments include:
During the Fall 2022 semester, activities at the Nexus facility included five App State classes, a tour for App State’s Renewable Energy Initiative student group, a biochar workshop and multiple field days. Research on biochar production and preparation continued, and a long-term evaluation study of biochar soil application was initiated. The biochar project received $1,500 in internal funding from the ASU Renewable Energy Initiative (REI). Oregon Kilns, used to create char on-site at farms, were built, demonstrated, and offered for loan to partner farms. A biochar demonstration plot in a raised bed with degraded soil (subsoil) was created and soil conditions were tested.
In 2021 Nexus investigated the methane potential of cheese whey produced from a local cheese factory under BCAD conditions. In the Fall 2022 semester the project continued cheese whey-BCAD research and greenhouse energy efficiency research.
https://energy.appstate.edu/news/nexus-group-furthers-study-biochar-anaerobic-digestion-and-pilot-system
In September of 2023, the Nexus team published results from multiple projects supporting sustainable farming approaches and experiments within the region. These included:
1. Biochar Preparation: Wet Biochar Crushing
2. Biochar Kiln Loaner Program
3. Biochar Soil Amendment
3.1. Rapid Restoration of Degraded Soil with Biochar
3.2. Biochar Field Trial with Hybrid Poplar at Patterson School (Caldwell County, NC)
4. Efficient design of Aerated Static Pile (ASP) for cold weather
5. On-demand water heater at Springhouse farm
6. Direct solar PV water heating and dynamic lighting system study for growing season extension
Updates and results of these projects are detailed here: https://energy.appstate.edu/news/exploring-feasible-and-sustainable-solutions-appalachian-farmers
Also noteworthy -- In Sept 2022 Appalachian State University was one of 12 universities to receive the Department of Energy's (DOE) Zero Energy Design designation. According to the DOE, schools must demonstrate a commitment to preparing students for a zero-carbon future by offering a building science education curriculum within their programs of study that showcases best practices in zero energy design, and requiring a zero energy design practicum. The two programs in our Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment (STBE) receiving the designation were:
- The Master of Science in Technology with a Sustainable Building Design
Construction Concentration, and
- the Bachelor of Science in Building Sciences with a Sustainable Buildings Concentration.
The work of the NEXUS program, which includes both programs, was instrumental to receiving this designation.
https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/us-doe-zero-energy-design-designation-recognized-programs
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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