PROJECT ABSTRACT
Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
(Cooperative Agreement # H1200-09-0005)
Park: Petrified Forest National Park
Project Title: Performing a Sustainability Assessment and Developing an Energy Plan for: Park
Employee Housing on the former Suglia Property at Petrified Forest National Park. Petrified
Forest, Arizona.
Funding Amount: $15,000
CPCESU Partner Institution: Board of Regents University of Arizona
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Nader Chalfoun, Professor (faculty);
Coordinator, Graduate Program in Design & Energy Conservation,
520.621.6740 (tel)
chalfoun@u.arizona.edu
College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
P.O. Box 210075
Tucson, AZ 85721
Co-Investigator:
R. Brooks Jeffery: Associate Dean, College of Architecture and
Landscape Architecture (CALA)
Coordinator, Preservation Studies – College of Architecture, Planning
and Landscape Architecture (CAPLA)
The University of Arizona
P.O. Box 210075
Tucson, Arizona 85721-0075
520.621.2991 – (TEL)
520.621.8700 – (FAX)
rbjeffer@email.arizona.edu
NPS Key Official:
Patricia Thompson, Chief of Resource Management
1 Park Rd
Petrified Forest, AZ 86028
928.524.6228 x267
928.524.2567 (FAX)
Patricia_Thompson@nps.gov
Start Date: September 30, 2009
End Date: September 30, 2011
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Abstract:
The University of Arizona will perform a sustainability assessment that evaluates the potential of
wind turbines and upgraded solar photovoltaic panels to contribute enough energy to free the
property from dependence on generators and significantly lower the environmental impact of its
use. Currently, propane generator use is necessary to make up energy shortfalls at the facility
when sunlight is insufficient to power the existing solar (photovoltaic) array, and a diesel
generator is in regular use pumping water to the property from the adjacent Lithodendron Wash.
Additionally, the unexploited potential of water running off roofs on the property will be
explored. The assessment will produce a detailed report outlining whether and how the energy
currently supplied by the diesel and propane generators can instead be produced on the property
using wind turbines and upgrading solar (photovoltaic) panel arrays. The report will also outline
the possibilities for maximizing the collection of water that strikes the roofs of the structures on
the property. The most obvious use of the water is in the greenhouse and orchard adjacent to the
buildings but other potential uses might include heating or cooling applications or aquaculture.
The report will present alternatives available to the park in bringing about the desired selfsufficiency.
The property is capable of supporting additional arrays of solar photovoltaic panels, wind
turbines and structures to capture, direct and process water without greatly impacting existing
resources or the surrounding landscape. The sustainability assessment and energy plan will also
provide supporting documentation for competitive funding available through the Department of
Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, and other
organizations and agencies supporting the development of non-hydroelectric sustainable energy.
A condensed version of the sustainability assessment and plan will be made available to park
visitors and the general public through the park’s web-site in order to encourage the general
public to improve energy efficiency in their own homes and reduce our Nation’s dependence on
fossil fuels.
Keywords:
Energy audit, energy assessment, sustainable energy, solar energy, photovoltaic, windturbine generated power, renewable energy, energy efficiency,
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