SERC - Projects - Community Work - EE & RE

UNPEPP

SERC and Partners Bring Renewable Energy to Redwood National and State Parks

UNPEPP Interns Erin McDonald and Matt Smith (bottom right) and Park personnel pose with the newly installed PV array.

In the spring of 2000, SERC initiated a collaboration with the University-National Park Energy Partnership Program (UNPEPP). UNPEPP links national parks with university energy programs all over the United States. Students work as summer interns in the parks, identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency or use renewable energy. UNPEPP is jointly supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Park Service. SERC’s participation in UNPEPP has allowed us to forge a strong collaborative relationship with Redwood National and State Parks. This relationship has so far given ten engineering and science students from Humboldt State University the opportunity to build their skills and resumes while helping the Park to reduce its environmental impact.

UNPEPP 2000: Praire Creek State Park: Design of solar/fuel cell electric system for ranger residence and solar hot water and lighting for campground restroom
UNPEPP 2001: Wolf Creek Outdoor School – Design of a solar electric system, efficient outdoor lighting, and solar water and space heat for restrooms.
UNPEPP 2002 & 2004: Kuchel Visitor Center – Design and installation of a solar water heating system, design of a solar electric system, and energy efficiency audit.
UNPEPP 2006: Espa Lagoon Ranger Residence – Installation of a solar electric system.
UNPEPP 2008: Redwood National and State Park Headquarters Energy Study – Energy audit of park headquarters in Crescent City, CA, design of a solar electric system for park headquarters, and an emissions inventory for Redwood National and State Parks.

Page Highlights: See a map of the RNSP area (PDF); Visit UNPEPP's website; Visit the Redwood National and State Parks website; Read the UNPEPP 2002 KVC Project Report (PDF); Read the UNPEPP 2004 KVC Project Report (PDF); Read the UNPEPP 2006 Espa Lagoon Project Report (PDF)