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Home > Project Startups > Helping National Parks Stay Green
Helping National Parks Stay Green
In the demonstration project, EPRI is joining forces with the National Park Service (NPS), Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and vehicle and equipment manufacturers to evaluate an AFV’s performance, energy use, and benefits at GSMNP. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of electric vehicles in various park applications and determine if the technology can be applied to other areas of the park or similar environments in other national parks. Project kickoff was marked December 5 at the park with a brief ceremony and preview of AFV technologies. As the popularity of the GSMNP has grown in recent years, so have issues associated with air quality and transportation access. During 1999, more than 10 million people visited the park, bringing increased air pollution and traffic congestion in the park and surrounding communities. While air pollution emissions come from a variety of sources, motor vehicles are a major contributor. The AFV project will conduct a study of, identify the needs for, and demonstrate the availability of AFV technologies for a park environment. Specific objectives include: EPRI will participate in several capacities, including working with the GSMNP and the Sevier County Electric System to assess the potential for a distributed energy resource in the Cades Cove area and to evaluate the existing infrastructure of the area. In addition, EPRI and TVA will work with manufacturers to secure manuals and other information necessary for the safe and reliable operation and maintenance of the vehicles. Kickoff speakers "The partnership between TVA and the park service further strengthens our commitment to reduce air pollution in the park," said park superintendent Mike Tollefson. "This project will help determine if this is a practical solution that will lead us to a cleaner environment." "We are excited the National Park Service is willing to showcase emission-free vehicles in a place where visitors can see innovative transportation alternatives," said Anda Ray, director of TVA's Public Power Institute. "Using the real world as a living laboratory is vital for us as we look for ways to use energy efficiently and economically, while protecting the environment," he said. “EPRI is excited to participate in this valuable demonstration,” said Andra Michel, EPRI project manager for transportation. “We have worked for years with the country’s electric utilities to develop and demonstrate electric vehicles. This project offers a unique opportunity to assist utilities in bringing this emission-free technology to a national park environment and to employ it to improve area air quality.” Energy, water, power quality audits
In 1994, an executive order required all federal agencies to develop and implement programs to reduce energy consumption at their facilities by 30% by 2005, using 1985 as the baseline. In 1985, buildings operated by the NPS consumed an average of just under 88,000 Btu per gross square foot (Btu/gsf) annually. A 30% reduction would mean a reduction of 26,400 Btu/gsf to 61,600 Btu/gsf annually by 2005—a significant reduction over a 10-year period. The current audit demonstration project is part of the University-National Park Energy Partnership Program and is being managed by James Madison University at Harrisonburg, Virginia. Funding for the projects is being provided by JMU, First Energy, and TVA. The seven national park sites included: More about audits Project methodology, project findings, and the benefits of improving energy and water management at the seven sites are being presented in a document entitled Energy Audits—Value for the National Park Service, which is being published in mid-January 2002. The document will provide an example of the potential for modernization planning in terms of energy efficiency for the seven representative parks that can lead to implementation of immediate improvements to these parks. “This project is an important demonstration of the audit process and its benefits for the national park service,” said EPRI’s Andra Michel. “The project will characterize the level of effort required for future audits and help chart a plan for improving energy efficiency and water usage throughout the park system.” “EPRI is providing its expertise in conducting audits, analyzing data, developing recommendations, and designing implementation plans. In addition, our association with national and local utilities will play a vital role in implementing recommended improvements, and in training and educating those responsible for the ensuring the most cost-effective operation and maintenance of our national parks.” For more information contact Andra Michel, amichel@epri.com 650-855-2101. Photos Top: Bill Baxter, Director, Tennessee Valley Authority; and Mike Tollefson, Superintendent, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, test drive the AFV. Bottom: Solar photovoltaic panels at a national park
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Two new EPRI research projects are helping America’s national parks maintain their green environment. EPRI is participating in a collaborative project to demonstrate the use of alternative-fueled vehicle (AFV) technologies to reduce air pollution emissions in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and recently completed energy, water, and power quality audits at seven national parks.
Audit results will assist the participating parks in implementing improvements to reduce energy usage, optimize water quality, and mitigate and avoid power quality problems. More broadly, the demonstration will provide a template for the audit process and its benefits at all 370 national parks and offer the basis for a plan to improve energy and water management throughout the national park system.