Still Life

With four guide ropes attached to it, the east-side clock face is raised into position. While it didn't seem that windy on the ground on Saturday, Jan. 28, winds higher up were strong, requiring extra guidance to bring the clock face safely to the Old Main bell tower.

Old Main clock faces installed

Ben White of New Vibrations Audio and Video works on a ledge of the Old Main bell tower, to remove the speakers from the old chime system. The company installed a new carillon system today (Jan. 27) that will play a digital recording made of the original Old Main bell that now sits adjacent to Old Main and other bells of comparable sizes.

New carillon, restored clocks being installed

The funeral procession for Joe Paterno made its way past Beaver Stadium and down Porter Road as crowds applauded on Jan. 25. Thousands lined the procession route through the University Park campus and downtown State College to bid a last farewell to Joe Paterno.

Joe Paterno's funeral procession

Coach Joe Paterno was on the field for the first half of the Nittany Lions' football game. Penn State beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 13-3 on Oct. 8, 2011, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Beaver Stadium.

Joe Paterno through the years

Katie Knobloch and Andrew Adamietz, members of the a capella group Blue in the Face, shared a candle at the vigil held Sunday, Jan. 22, to mourn the death of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, who passed away earlier in the day. Several thousand members of the Penn State and State College community came out to the Old Main lawn on Penn State's University Park campus for the vigil.

Thousands mourn Paterno's passing

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Electricity load reduction test at University Park termed a success

Monday, June 28, 2010

University Park, Pa. -- Penn State's Office of Physical Plant (OPP) has announced that the regional electricity load reduction test conducted from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 24, was a success. During the test, consumption of electricity was reduced by as much as 11,000 kilowatts, roughly the amount of electricity needed to power 5,000 homes for one hour.

The test demonstrated Penn State’s capability to reduce its electricity load when called upon during national or regional power emergencies. The Interruptible Load for Reliability (ILR) program is an emergency "capacity" program in which participants pledge to reduce their load by a specified amount. The objective of the ILR program is to cost-effectively protect the day-to-day reliability of the regional grid upon which the University Park campus relies. During an actual electric grid event, Penn State will have two hours to respond, and the University will execute the same procedures enacted on June 24.

At the beginning of the test, OPP recorded electrical demand of about 46,000 kilowatts. As the test proceeded, demand dropped dramatically, to about 34,500 kilowatts. Average consumption was 35,900 kilowatts for the hour, exceeding OPP's goal of 37,500 kilowatts.

OPP attributed the success of the test to the many employees who cooperated by turning off unnecessary equipment and to OPP workers who made system-wide adjustments behind the scenes. Though the test has ended, employees and students still can make a difference by always turning off unnecessary electrical devices -- this will help to reduce pollution and keep Penn State efficient.

Here are some everyday electrical reduction tips to consider:

  • -- Shut off all unneeded office equipment and lights. Equipment should include computers, monitors, printers, copiers, coffee makers and task lighting.
  • -- Unplug iPod, digital camera and cell phone chargers when not in use.
  • -- Reduce water usage since water is pumped into storage tanks with electricity.
  • -- Keep exterior doors closed in air conditioned buildings. Make sure operable windows also are closed.
  • -- Personal space heaters should not be used to compensate for excessive air conditioning. Air conditioning problems should be reported to OPP.
  • -- Remember that personal portable space heaters are NOT permitted in University buildings unless provided by OPP for extraordinary circumstances.
  • -- Visit http://green.psu.edu/ for more information.

OPP received helpful feedback during the test; any further suggestions for improvements should be sent to Mike Prinkey at 814-863-4091 or mip103@psu.edu, or to Paul Ruskin at 814-863-9620 or pdr2@psu.edu.

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