Campuses promote sustainable energy use
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Sustainable energy use was the focus of The Maine Better Transportation Association’s meeting held Aug. 4 at the Northeastland Hotel.
Speakers from both the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Northern Maine Community College shared their experience with high-energy education: wind, wood and sustainable energy initiatives, with the university and college noted to be leaders on the forefront of energy efficiency and sustainability in education.
Randy Mace, president of the association, welcomed participants. He briefly discussed the board’s meeting earlier that afternoon, noting MBTA members would “work closely with the governor, his staff and DOT to come up with palatable projects.”
“We need to come up with more funding for capital projects. We need to work on getting roads rebuilt so we don’t have to repatch. There’s bridge work to be done too,” said Mace.
MBTA’s members are committed to improving the safety and efficiency of Maine’s transportation network, he said. Members represent the public and private sectors and include state transportation officials, transportation planners, municipalities, transportation construction and supplier firms, rail companies, truck and shipping interests, bus companies, manufacturing, travel and tourism interests and others.
Mace introduced the first speaker, UMPI President Don Zillman, who provided an overview of what his staff has been doing to make the campus more energy-efficient.
“My talking topic is renewable energy and concerns for future generations. The attitude of ‘stay the course, things are fine’” led to a number of concessions, Zillman said.
Use of fossil fuels has resulted in higher transportation costs, added Zillman, resulting in energy shortages.
“In summary, in the countryside of Nigeria, if someone gets ill, you die, due to a lack of transportation and electrical supply in communities. That’s why UMPI and the community (Presque Isle) are looking for energy sources, especially renewable,” said Zillman.
Zillman said UMPI is taking an active role in teaching and research, while demonstrating how new technology can help reduce dependence on fossil fuel.
“The neat part of teaching is the students are also involved. They get a hands-on education,” he said.
University officials continue to look for new ways to expand the University’s use of energy-efficient systems, said Zillman, with one of the latest upgrades being solar panels.
“The wind turbine is a good, consistent generator of electricity when up. We’ve had some difficulties but it’s been a good learning tool and has helped reduce our energy use (fossil fuel-based),” Zillman said.
UMPI is also incorporating other forms of renewable energy into the mix, with the installation of a biomass boiler that will burn wood pellets.
“We hope to use Aroostook County wood pellets instead of fuel oil,” said Zillman, noting small campuses can fit into the international picture. “We can make a difference. We need to make a difference.”
Next, NMCC’s Jason Parent took to the podium, filling in for NMCC President Tim Crowley who was unable to attend.
Parent noted that innovation at NMCC is “first class,” explaining how in 2008 the college began offering wind turbine technology classes.
“We had 18 students the first year – will have another 18 this fall. We had 14 graduates this spring. Some work here, while others go to the West Coast,” Parent said. “We’re pleased the first graduates are finding success.”
Like UMPI, Parent said NMCC is now offering courses that “mesh together with other programs.” He explained how the Center of Excellence and Alternative Energy offers training and education for students interested in the field of wind technology.
“This center provided us a way to bring the pieces together and a lab to utilize,” said Parent. “This was a true partnership — the campus worked with the city on leasing (a building it owned). There was also significant investment of $1.2 million by Mary Smith who’d read in the Star-Herald the work NM was doing in alternative/wind energy.”
Parent explained that additional funding was obtained through grants that enabled “expanding courses and upgrading classrooms.”
“Maine Housing funds allowed us to create the weatherization training facility — all computer-driven — one of only four sites in Maine and NMCC is one of them,” he said.
Parent also indicated the college would be using a biomass boiler that would benefit students in the plumbing and heating programs.
“We plan to integrate it into our curriculum to move the industry forward. We’re not just talking the talk but walking the walk,” said Parent.
Rounding out the event’s speakers was Barry Ingraham, director of development and college relations at NMCC.
Ingraham said through collaboration with the University of Maine System and UMPI’s wind turbine project, it “helped us with our feasibility study to determine if NM should put one up.”
In addition to wind energy, Ingraham said NMCC has switched to LED lighting, reinsulated buildings and installed new monitors, alarm systems and switches, “with a projected savings of $73,000” a year.
“NMCC has also received a $500,000 Maine Forest Service grant to be used toward the installation of a biomass boiler,” said Ingraham.
