Park City Teams with USU EDL,School of Business to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Utah State University’s Energy Dynamics Laboratory and the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business have teamed with Park City, Utah, to conduct an energy feasibility study that will serve as a guide as Park City works to reach major milestones for environmental sustainability and alternative energy. 

 

“This study will help Park City better understand what needs to be done so we can reduce our carbon footprint, secure alternative forms of clean energy and broaden the mix and resiliency of our energy portfolio,” said Dana Williams, mayor of Park City.

Six teams of Utah State University students, working on six projects, will conduct research that will provide innovative recommendations to Park City. The study will include research and analysis into the feasibility of the following energy projects:

 

The micro-hydro systems team will research how to generate power from Park City’s waterways.

The micro-wind team will determine the feasible uses of wind turbines for residents, businesses and ski resorts to generate their own power.

The biomass energy generation team will research the use of algae to produce biofuels and algal byproducts.

The methane power production team will focus on ways to utilize dairies in the Park City area to generate power and natural gas.

The natural gas vehicle team will analyze the environmental and financial efficacy of converting the city’s diesel bus fleets to traditional natural gas or renewable biogas.

 

The solar team will research the feasibility of utilizing solar and solar thermal opportunities in residential, commercial and industrial applications throughout the city.

“We are pleased to work with Park City and the USU Huntsman School of Business on this important study,” said Doug Lemon, interim director of EDL. “EDL specializes in the research and commercialization of emerging and advanced technologies, including renewable energy. A number of the technologies under consideration are supported by the state’s USTAR initiative, so the city will benefit from cutting-edge solutions.”

Douglas D. Anderson, dean of the Huntsman School of Business, said the student teams helping with this project are part of the school’s field studies program.

“Our field studies students have developed a reputation for helping businesses and organizations find solutions to some very tough problems they face,” Anderson said. “We fully expect they will explore the possibilities, analyze the right data and summarize it in a way that will allow Park City officials to make the type of informed, effective decisions that taxpayers expect.”

Park City, located in southwestern Summit County, is an internationally recognized four season destination resort. Once the second largest silver producing town in the United States, Park City with its three world famous resorts (Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort & the Canyons Resort) is home to the United States Ski & Snowboard Association, the Sundance Film Festival and numerous other yearly events. As a major mountain venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Park City’s reputation for hospitality and sports continues to grow. Park City is widely recognized for pioneering many innovative planning, conservation and artistic endeavors, and stands at the forefront of preserving open space, creating trails, working on affordable housing, and its historic preservation efforts.

EDL was established in 2009 as a unit of the Utah State University Research Foundation located in North Logan, Utah. In collaboration with USTAR research teams, EDL focuses the applied research, development, design and implementation of advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy solutions, for government and commercial customers. As a business unit of USURF, EDL benefits from 50 years of expertise in applied research with unprecedented access to approximately 500 engineers, scientists, technicians and support staff.

Field studies students at the Huntsman School of Business serve as consultants to businesses and organizations around the world. School officials say the students, who are often working on their master’s degrees, draw from their experience as they find innovative solutions to some of the most complex and perplexing problems businesses face today. 

Contacts: Phyllis Robinson, Park City, 435-515-5189

Eric Warren, Utah State University Research Foundation, 435-797-4544

Steve Eaton, Utah State University, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, 435-797-8640