Engineering SIUE's green energy
Wind, solar power fuels classrooms
Clay Beyersdorfer
Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: News
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The Environmental Resources Training Center, located on the north side of campus , recently learned that they would be receiving a wind-powered generator and 150 solar panels by the end of next semester. The initial stages of the project start later this month, thanks to the $416,000 received from the ICECF and IEPA.
The power generated from both the generator and solar panels will be used in various operations at the ERTC, including the training-scale wastewater and drinking water treatment plants, as well as the laboratories and offices used to conduct research.
According to IEPA's Web site, the ERTC, along with other water protection centers are responsible for providing water that is safe to drink and beneficial for other uses, including bathing and recreation, to the university and surrounding areas. When students drink from water fountains or brush their teeth in the morning, that water has been through and handled by the ERTC.
Paul Shetley, the director of ERTC says the project is a step in the right direction in terms of finding alternative energy resources.
"As our world changes and time goes on, the importance for finding alternative, affordable energy resources is huge," Shetley said. "We have always wanted to further our research with what we do over at the center, and this money will allow us to conduct further studies into trying and finding alternate energy to use."
According to Shetley, students from the School of Engineering will benefit from this generous donation, as the research and studies provided, as well as the construction of both the generator and solar panels, will be incorporated into the curriculum. Students will receive firsthand instruction on how the new greener energy sources power the building, as well as the processes and work that is conducted at the ERTC.
"Future engineers, as well as students and people from the community all around will get to witness the construction of devices that are attempts at making our planet greener," Shetley said.
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