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MATC RECEIVES
HIGH TECH DONATION FROM ALLIANT ENERGY
Microturbine on the Cutting Edge of Alternative Energy Production
The Alliant Energy Corporation recently donated a $43,000
Capstone MicroTurbine™ to Madison Area Technical College. Microturbines
are very low emission heat and power systems capable of producing both
electrical power and heat on low-pressure gas lines. MATC plans to install
the microturbine for use in a noncritical heat and power location such
as the college’s swimming pool to supplement energy needs. In addition,
the equipment will be used to train students in unit operation and repair.
The technology used in microturbines is new and is based
on jet engine technology. Unlike standard engines, they use no oil or
antifreeze and have only one moving part resulting in very low emissions
and low noise. As an alternative energy source, the units can use a variety
of fuels including waste gas from farms, landfills and waste water treatment
plants.
Currently, Alliant Energy is using microturbines at a dairy
farm anaerobic digester in Westgate, Iowa, and landfills near Antioch,
Illinois, and Baraboo, Wisconsin. The company also is using microturbines
at the Antioch landfill to provide energy to a nearby high school.
Because the technology is new, there is a need for trained service providers.
“We view distributed generation as part of our future
energy mix,” says Kim Zuhlke, vice president of New Energy Resources
at Alliant. “We are pleased to donate this microturbine to an organization
that can help advance the important learning that needs to occur in this
area.”
The microturbine donation complements the efforts of the Consortium for
Education in Renewable Energy Technologies, created in 2002, with the
help of a grant from the National Science Foundation to MATC and a partnership
with the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board. The goals of the
consortium are to provide technical training and education in renewable
energy to students and the workforce and to train teachers on both the
college and high school level to provide education in this area.
"Microturbine technology is an alternative to conventional
power and heat generation systems. These microturbines can be used in
the biogas operations on farms or other places where waste is used to
generate methane gas,” explains Dr. Joy McMillan, MATC’s principle
investigator on the renewable energy grant project. “They also provide
an alternative source for electrical power and generate few emissions.
As more businesses and industries focus on their energy use, it is important
that our students have the opportunity to work with these new systems.
Alliant Energy has been very supportive of our Consortium for Education
in Renewable Energy Technologies. We look forward to our partnership with
Alliant Energy in building the workforce skills for the future."
Alliant Energy has been very supportive of MATC programs
and students. Recently, the Alliant Energy Foundation, which makes financial
contributions to the community on behalf of Alliant Energy, has announced
a $2,100 grant to the MATC Foundation to fund three scholarships for students
in one of the following programs: Accounting, Administrative Assistant,
Computer and Information Systems, Automotive Technology, Diesel and Heavy
Equipment Technician, or Electronics.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s
16 colleges and serves approximately 50,000 individuals annually. It provides
a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and science, adult
basic education and life enrichment studies and activities, as well as
customized employee training. MATC provides training in more than 100
career programs. It awards associate degrees, vocational diplomas and
certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college serves all or
parts of 12 counties located in south-central Wisconsin and offers instruction
through five campuses and various locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
March 25, 2004
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