Earning a Degree in Renewable Energy

by Mick Sagrillo

One question that those looking for training in renewable energy often raise is, “Where can I go to get a degree in RE?” It’s a good question!

Several decades ago, after the oil embargos of 1973 and 1979, various colleges and institutions of higher learning began offering degree programs in renewable energy. As the “energy crisis” waned, and with it, our recognition of our precarious energy situation, higher education programs dwindled into a handful of courses, or more often, fell by the wayside. By the early 1990s, few opportunities remained to formally study renewable energy or sustainable technologies.

One university, however, still offers a complete curriculum. Appalachian State University (ASU) in Boone, North Carolina, is the only U.S. university that still offers four-year undergraduate degrees as well as graduate degrees in various renewable and sustainable technologies. Its programs have become quite impressive in the 23 years since they were first offered.

RE Offerings Abound

ASU offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Technology, with a concentration in Appropriate Technology (AT). Areas of study include:

* wind power,
* solar energy applications,
* photovoltaics (PV),
* hydro electric power,
* green building technologies,
* sustainable transportation,
* resource management, and
* organic and sustainable agriculture.

While the course offerings that support these technology areas all sound compelling, it is the student projects and extracurricular activities that make ASU’s program a shining star. The opportunities available to ASU students are truly overwhelming. Students are encouraged to tackle any number of research or hands-on projects:

* designing and installing solar water, air-and space-heating systems;
* designing and building an alternative-fueled or electric vehicle;
* designing and constructing a greenhouse;
* installing a wind system;
* distilling and pasteurizing water with solar energy;
* composting techniques;
* developing sustainable agricultural and horticultural techniques;
* drying food and lumber with solar energy;
* designing, building and installing a hydroelectric generator; and
* installing and maintaining PV systems.

Though most of the projects are local initiatives, students have opportunities for international work, as well. They have carried out projects throughout the southern Appalachian region, in Honduras and Costa Rica, and as far away as Alaska, Poland and Slovakia.

In addition, ASU has the most active Solar Club I have ever run across. Each fall, this student organization, which is a local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), choreographs the ASES National Solar Tour in the region. Every Monday night during the school year, the club offers a public forum on some aspect of renewable energy, sustainable living or appropriate technology. The Solar Club provides speakers to local civic organizations, and also offers guest lectures on relevant topics to the area’s primary and secondary schools. It organizes a solar-powered Christmas tree-lighting celebration in downtown Boone every year and conducts renewable energy site assessments for interested property owners in the region.

Most recently, the Solar Club has proposed and received approval for a renewable energy initiative on campus. This program, which will operate like a systems benefit charge, was supported by more than 80% of the students. Students pay and extra $5 per semester in fees, to be used to develop renewable energy projects on campus. The program is expected to generate several hundred thousand dollars in the next few years.

Wind Program is Unrivaled

My particular interest is wind power, and the way ASU involves its students in this field is unrivaled. Dennis Scanlin, Ph.D., the coordinator of the AT program, has developed the North Carolina Small Wind Initiative, which offers students and residents various opportunities in the area of small wind. Another initiative, the NC Wind Working Group, is a collaborative effort that includes environmental groups, policy and decision makers, industry, civic organizations, educators and ASU students. The group promotes legislation, siting guidelines and solutions to communities working on wind projects.

ASU students also host an Anemometer Loan Program for North Carolinians. Through the program they install anemometers, tilt-up towers and data loggers on the properties of people interested in possibly installing wind systems. In addition to setting up the wind-monitoring equipment, students collect and analyze data and issue reports to the hosting property owners on their wind resources. In the past three years, students have monitored and reported on more than 15 sites.

Besides its own faculty expertise, ASU brings in experts to stage workshops on wind technology and installation. The National Renewable Energy Lab has presented workshops, as have three wind turbine manufacturers.

Finally, ASU students operate a wind energy research and development facility on nearby Beach Mountain. They have installed six turbines, ranging in size from 400 watts to 20 kW, on towers up to 120 feet tall. Besides installing the turbines, students perform maintenance and repairs on them. They have set up a data collection system for each turbine, and monitor wind speed and turbine output. They are also responsible for documenting their findings in formal reports.

If I sound enthusiastic and impressed, I truly am. I visited ASU several years ago, and was dazzled by what this small university tucked away in the mountains of North Carolina has accomplished. Every student I met was thrilled to be part of the program and eager to go out into the world and make a difference.

++++

ASU: www.tec.appstate.edu

Mick Sagrillo owns Sagrillo Power & Light, a Forestville, Wisconsin-based firm specializing in home-sized wind turbines and educational workshops. Contact him: msagrillo@itol.com

FROM Solar Today, a SustainableBusiness.com Content Partner.