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MAY 2014
ITS-Davis researchers discuss energy transformation findings at ARB seminar
During an Air Resources Board seminar on May 1, ITS-Davis researchers Sonia Yeh and Christopher Yang discussed how their energy optimization model is critical to understanding the ways California can meet its 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets.
The focus of their model demonstrates many optimized pathways to transform California’s energy system to a low-carbon future, from energy supply (energy resources electricity generation, and fuel production and infrastructure) to end use technologies such as cars and appliances in buildings, transportation, industrial and agriculture sectors.
According to Yeh and Yang, results from the project, "Modeling Optimal Transition Pathways to a Low Carbon Economy in California", showed that major energy transformations are needed but that achieving the 80 percent reduction goal for California is possible at reasonable average carbon reduction cost (-$75 to $124/tonne CO2 discounted cost) relative to the baseline scenario, which is already on its way to meet the 2020 GHG reduction target that the State already committed to. Availability of low-carbon resources such as nuclear power, technology to capture and sequester carbon from power plants and bio-refiners, increased availability of biomass/biofuels and wind and solar generation, and demand reduction all serve to lower the mitigation costs.
Yeh recently received the 2014 UC Davis Academic Federation Award for Excellence in Research, which recognizes her recent accomplishments in publishing, funding, and societal impact that further the research mission of the university. The award represents the highest research award on the UC Davis campus. Yang is an expert on infrastructure modeling of electricity and hydrogen supply and has published many widely cited articles on low-carbon transportation by 2050.
MAY 2013
Mark Delucchi analyses featured in new post-carbon report
Mark Delucchi, a research scientist for the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies, is featured in an international report for his work, which highlights the potential for existing technologies to deliver rapid de-carbonization in long-term renewable energy sources.
The report, published by the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute at the University of Melbourne, is part of the Post Carbon Pathways project and includes in-depth interviews from top post-carbon economy researchers and policy makers from around the world.
Delucchi is quoted in the new Melbourne report for his findings in an influential article on renewable energy which he co-authored with Mark Jacobson at Stanford University that appeared in an October 2006 issue of Scientific American.
In the article, Delucchi says that using wind, water and solar sources to provide energy to meet projected demand in the long run "is possible and definitely worth looking at in detail."
Delucchi additionally told the report authors that the change required for rapid de-carbonization is "indeed socially and politically feasible."
DECEMBER 2011
AS SEEN IN THE LAS LOMAS PAGE, VOLUME 59, ISSUE 1
Students bid farewell to vacant desks as class sizes increase throughout district
With the recent state budget cuts and consequent reductions in staff, schools around the Acalanes Union High School District, including Las Lomas, have experienced drastic increases in class size.
“General classes are much fuller now and have reached their maximum capacity due to the state budget and reduction in funds,” said Educational Services Assistant Superintendent John Nickerson. “As a result, there are fewer teachers, which means fewer classes, which then ultimately leads to increase in class size.”
According to Nickerson, the Acalanes school board has been forced to eliminate class size reduction programs that previously existed in general classes, such as English 1 and World History, which would have maintained a 20:1 student-teacher ratio in classrooms.
Nickerson adds that Las Lomas is reflecting the general changes that all of the schools from the Acalanes school district are displaying.
“Different schools experience the situation differently,” said Nickerson. “But overall, all the schools are sharing and experiencing the similar setbacks.”
To emphasize this point, Nickerson explains that one particular school in the district has an average class size of 32.5 students while another has an average of 28.5 students. This variation in average class size exemplifies how the various schools are affected differently; yet all of them are still involved in a common dilemma.
Las Lomas English teacher Beth Fursenthal has been noticing these recent changes in her own classes.
“I can’t get around to the whole class and help everyone like I used to be able to,” said Fursenthal.
According to Fursenthal, the process of learning all of her students’ names and contacting their parents and counselors in regards to student problems has taken much longer than previous years. Fursenthal has also noted that it takes longer for her to go through and grade whole assignments, notably essays.
“It used to take me 15 to 20 minutes to grade one student’s essay,” said Fursenthal. “That means it took me an average of seven and a half hours to grade all of the essays from one sophomore class. But now, it takes me nine and half hours to do the same task. I know I won’t be able to give the detailed feedback on essays that I used to.”
Fursenthal additionally states that she has noticed changes to her teaching methods which she had to revise with a larger class.
“I can’t examine students’ thesis statements individually nor can I call on every student at least once a day. Oral presentations are also majorly affected for they take much longer than they used to,” said Fursenthal.
Therefore, Fursenthal has had to implement more group work among her students and modify her assignments in order to adjust to her classes’ needs.
Senior Belinda Chung holds similar views regarding a larger class and believes reductions in class sizes will benefit both teachers and their students.
“In a smaller class, teachers can pay more closer attention to [students’] special needs,” said Chung. “In this way, students can improve more.”
Chung feels that whenever she is a large class, students pay less attention while teachers have a tendency to lecture and ask questions in a manner that does not cater to each students’ specific problems. Chung also points out how large classes can usually lead to a loud and rowdy atmosphere, which essentially produces unfavorable results.
“I can’t really concentrate in those classes sometimes because they’re too distracting and disruptive.” said Chung.
Despite these complications and setbacks brought on by the increase in class size, Nickerson still remains optimistic about the future.
“Right now, it’s unfortunate how [the increase] is affecting and changing our schools,” said Nickerson. “But if the state budget improves, the school board will definitely consider reducing class sizes again.”