Sustainability and Alternative Energy

Faculty: Brian Adams, Environmental Science,,  GCC

GCC has undertaken a new 2 year degree program in sustainable energy and building design. Using area technicians and energy professionals, the degree program is not only training new professionals for careers in renewable energy but is also leading the way campus wide with a sustainable building program. A new greenhouse is under design and several other building retrofits are planned. Teachers and students participating in this thread will explore world energy use and primary energy sources, local energy issues, and an overview of sustainable energy technologies (e.g. solar, photovoltaics, wind, microhydro, fuel cells, biodiesel and others). Through their research students will explore the scientific underpinning of global warming and how consumption of fossil fuels relates to atmospheric change. Additional research topics include residential building site analysis and design; air, heat and moisture flow; green building materials; climate and designing with nature; energy conservation and efficiency; sustainable energy systems; and on-site power generation. Students visit green buildings to reinforce classroom learning.