Lansing Community College's Alternative Energy Initiative
New Energy Works For You
Alternative energy sources are abundant - and renewable. Energy can be harnessed from the sun, the wind, from soybeans and other food crops, and even from the natural heat below the earth's surface. Using such energy sources is good for the environment - and for the economy. Advances in technology are making alternative energy more practical and economical for mass use.Alternative Energy Means New Jobs For Michigan
At the heart of the world's automotive industry, Michigan is in an idea position to lead this transition to a new energy economy. New industries and jobs are emerging. To land these new jobs, Michigan must be ready with a pool of workers trained in alternative energy technologies. Through its Alternative Energy Initiative, LCC is working to spur economic development and educational opportunities in Mid-Michigan and beyond in a variety of methods to provide power including the use of fuel cells, wind, solar, biomass and hybrids. The goal of the Initiative, which is supported by the federal Department of Energy (DOE), is to place LCC and the State of Michigan as a national model that will affect the education and training of technicians across the country.Alternative Energy And LCC
Lansing Community College is one of the first colleges in the nation to incorporate alternative energy into its curriculum. LCC instructors were tapped to create alternative energy curriculum for colleges and universities across the country. LCC's automotive technology students work on hybrid vehicles and are building an internal combustion engine powered by a fuel cell. LCC's Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Building Construction students learn energy management, alternative methods for heating and cooling buildings and residences.Find out more: Environmental Design Building Technology, Transportation Technologies Department and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies.
Attention Teachers!
Are you ready to bring alternative energy to your classroom?Lansing Community College is co-sponsoring a workshop with the Fuel Cell Store this Fall 2006. It's designed for teachers who wish to incorporate alternative energy education into their curriculum. With this conference, you'll be able to educate your students about the hydrogen economy, renewable energy and careers in this new and exciting field. This 1 1/2-day conference is designed for K-14 science and technology teachers and school administrators. You will leave with a curriculum kit and fuel cell model for your classroom. For more information, go to the conference website at www.H2Conference.com. This 1 1/2-day conference is designed for K-14 science and technology teachers and school administrators. You will leave with a curriculum kit and fuel cell model for your classroom. For more information, go to the conference website at www.H2Conference.com
Hot Topic on WJR
Lansing Community College's hydrogen fuel program and its students were recently featured on WJR's radio program Big Story. Listen to the live interview[ LISTEN - mp3 ]
What Is Alternative Energy?
Hydrogen and other Alternative Fuels, Geothermal, Wind, Solar, Biomass - New Energy comes in many forms. It is the product of the latest research and traditional energy sources. New Energy is about sustainability and independence, and smarter more efficient technologies.
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Hydrogen Cell |
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Alternative
Fuels |
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Geo Thermal |
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Wind
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Solar |
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Biomass |
Glossary:
Renewable- A renewable energy source is defined as any energy source that is replenishable and replenished on some reasonable time scale. Renewable energy sources include, but are not limited to wind, solar, heat from the earth's interior, oceans, rivers, and biomass. Renewable material sources include, but are not limited to wood; grass fibers, plant-based plastics, fuels and 100 percent recycled content metals, papers, plastics and glass.
Sustainability - There are hundreds of definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, but the best known is the one first coined by the United Nation's World Commission on Environment and Development. It suggests that development is sustainable where it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Source: Sustainable Research Group (Grand Rapids, MI)
