The Bullring is one of the oldest buildings on the University of Guelph campus, but it is the first to use 100% emission-free wind energy - Selectwind'.

Wind Powers Student-Owned Building on Campus

University of Guelph Students using 100% emission-free wind energy at the Bullring Coffee House

The Bullring is one of the oldest buildings on the University of Guelph campus, but it is the first to use 100% emission-free wind energy - Selectwind'.

The unique round red brick building was once used to show livestock at the Agricultural college. Today, the outside of the building looks much the same, but instead of showing cows inside, the Bullring is home to live music, events and students drinking lots of coffee. This year, there's another big change at the Bullring - it's using 100% wind power for all of its electricity requirements.

The University's Central Students' Association (CSA) owns the Bullring and, during their annual referendum, they asked students if they were willing to contribute 15 cents per semester to purchase enough Selectwind' to power the building.

The Guelph Students for Environmental Change (GSEC) is one of the campus clubs recognized by the CSA. GSEC campaigned for weeks encouraging students to participate in the referendum, and urged them to choose wind energy for the popular campus coffee house.

"It's important that we raise awareness about energy consumption on campus, and that we choose forms of energy that are clean and renewable." said GSEC representative Jennie McDowell. "73% of the students who voted said 'yes' to purchase Selectwind' for the Bullring. We'll even have some money left over to improve the energy-efficiency in the building."

Eco-logo' certified Selectwind' replaces coal-generated electricity in Ontario's power grid. Using coal to generate the 86,400 kWh of electricity that the Bullring uses each year would result in 76.8 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide, 527 kg of Sulphur Dioxide, and 302 kg of Nitrogen Oxide. By using Selectwind', U of G students are preventing all of these greenhouse gas emissions and smog pollutants from entering the air we breathe.

"To remove that much CO2, we'd have to take over 14 cars off the road each year," says Selectpower energy manager Shehzad Qureshi. "These students have gone beyond their studies and are taking some real initiative. It's great to see groups like GSEC and the CSA taking action on issues like renewable energy and the environment. They should be proud of their accomplishment."

To celebrate the University's first wind-powered building, GSEC is hosting the Bullring Bash on October 5, from 5pm to 7pm. During the celebration GSEC is hoping to raise awareness about renewable energy in Ontario, and educate students about how they are using wind energy on campus.

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Selectwind' is Eco-logo' certified 100% emission free wind-generated electricity that replaces coal-generated electricity in Ontario's power grid. It's available to residents and businesses anywhere in the province. Selectwind helps clean the air we breathe and encourages more wind generation in Ontario.

Selectpower is an affiliate of Guelph Hydro Inc. offering Energy-Smart Solutions including: energy advice and assessments, draft proofing, Energy-STAR rated heating and air conditioning, windows and doors, wind, solar and geothermal solutions, water heaters and softeners, water saving toilets, energy-saving lighting and more.