On one of my first walks into Westwood, I passed by the UCLA Cogeneration Plant and assumed it was a heavy fossil fuel-consuming power plant or factory.
Hi Emma! I find it interesting that the plant provides 85% of UCLA’s electrical power, saving $50 million annually, and plays a role in water conservation by utilizing the campus's HVAC condensate system. Furthermore, I like how you touch on the broader energy landscape, noting the shift towards sustainable electric vehicles but acknowledging the challenges in making renewable energy more accessible and affordable.
Hi Emma, thank you for sharing this with us. I can really tell how much research you put into writing this piece; it is super cool that you were able to cite interviews from a research director at UCLA!
When you were discussing how this power plant uses both natural gas and biogas when available, I was intrigued by how you compared natural gas to coal with natural gas being generally more positive for the environment. I found this interesting because I have never heard this perspective before. Oftentimes, all types of fossil fuels are linked together as equally harmful, but I now realize that even moving away from coal and towards slightly less harmful energy sources is still a win, even if it’s not everything.
I also thought it was interesting how you mentioned that this large power plant being a bit of an eyesore on our campus is a good thing. You are right that if our energy sources are hidden away and buried into the built environment, it is far too easy for us to lose track of the potentially harmful ways that we produce energy. Especially since in less affluent areas, people are more likely to deal with very visible consequences of harmful energy sources, why shouldn’t a college campus like UCLA be aware?
Overall, great work and I look forward to reading your next newsletter!
wow!!!! i had no idea, this is so crazy! thanks for bringing attention to this! you go queen!!!
Hi Emma! I find it interesting that the plant provides 85% of UCLA’s electrical power, saving $50 million annually, and plays a role in water conservation by utilizing the campus's HVAC condensate system. Furthermore, I like how you touch on the broader energy landscape, noting the shift towards sustainable electric vehicles but acknowledging the challenges in making renewable energy more accessible and affordable.
Hi Emma, thank you for sharing this with us. I can really tell how much research you put into writing this piece; it is super cool that you were able to cite interviews from a research director at UCLA!
When you were discussing how this power plant uses both natural gas and biogas when available, I was intrigued by how you compared natural gas to coal with natural gas being generally more positive for the environment. I found this interesting because I have never heard this perspective before. Oftentimes, all types of fossil fuels are linked together as equally harmful, but I now realize that even moving away from coal and towards slightly less harmful energy sources is still a win, even if it’s not everything.
I also thought it was interesting how you mentioned that this large power plant being a bit of an eyesore on our campus is a good thing. You are right that if our energy sources are hidden away and buried into the built environment, it is far too easy for us to lose track of the potentially harmful ways that we produce energy. Especially since in less affluent areas, people are more likely to deal with very visible consequences of harmful energy sources, why shouldn’t a college campus like UCLA be aware?
Overall, great work and I look forward to reading your next newsletter!