LBCC has a new automotive center called the Advanced Transportation Technology Center(ATTC) that is well past the development stage. The new center, based in Lebanon Oregon, ten miles from the main campus, will specialize in "alternative fuels", and will help train and employ technicians in the burgeoning field.
AT A GLANCE
WHO: ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY CENTER
WHAT: LINN BENTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WHERE: LEBANON CAMPUS
WHEN: SUMMER 2013
WHY: ALTERNATIVE FUELS
DONATE: dale.stowell@linnbenton.edu
The ATTC is located on Airport Road in Lebanon, and has an existing building. Current progress is on pace to move the automotive program there in the summer of 2013. Applications for grants are pending, and fundraising is ongoing. Upgrades and renovations to the new building are being assessed as well as cost.
The new curriculum has a "Flex" designation, meaning that the program is open-minded in its approach to what and how. This industry, is moving fast and changing by the moment, and so versatility is an asset in regards to a successful program. That versatility will not only help LBCC students to learn the technical lessons surrounding alternative fuels, LBCC partnerships with local business will also provide instruction for maintenance of infrastructure. Part of the Lebanon build will be a CNG filling station close to the new school.
What are alternative fuels? How are they produced and used? Who does the labor? What are the maintenance requirements? And finally, what is the scope of LBCC's new automotive focus?
Let's go see.
The focus on this day was "student vehicles", and all were gasoline. Alternative fuels are not gasoline. The most obvious vehicles today, with alternative fuels are: electric hybrids, compressed natural gas(CNG), and propane. But there are other fuels as well, and include bio-diesel and vegetable oil, compressed air, hydrogen, and others.
Bio-diesel has been popular on a small scale for the last 10 years, and has many applications. Oregon based retailers exist, and the market seems to have room to grow. The popularity of the fuel is based in its renewable resources and easy use, as all diesel engines can run on the product. There are varying degrees of mixtures, and some engines run solely on the bio product. Even the government has a site now, called "biodiesel.org", with data and information. Some studies have shown significant emission reduction from biodiesel. It is often collected locally and used locally, such as BIODIESEL STATION in Ashland Oregon: 541-552-1037.
Bio-diesel experiments began in the middle 19th century, and in fact, ran on vegetable and peanut oil. There was some publicity about the process, but it wasn't until the end of the century, in 1893, when Rudolf Diesel ran a single cylinder diesel engine successfully, that the engine gained popularity. By the 1920s, petroleum products had become widespread, and although research into "bio-diesel" continued, use slowed significantly.
The new center is located on Airport Road in Lebanon, and has an existing building. Current progress is on pace to move the automotive program there in the summer of 2013. Applications for grants are pending, and fundraising is ongoing. Upgrades and renovations to the new building are being assessed as well as cost.
Starting as recently as 20 years ago, patents involving sunflower seed oil and such, have been used to advance the field. As petroleum based products lose popularity, bio-diesel may become a norm, but only if it can compete with existing status quos.
In Albany, at my local filling station Courtesy Corner, biodiesel is no longer sold. "It got expensive and less people were buying," said longtime station owner Ron Smith. The station does sell the other two kinds of diesel commonly found in Oregon. The fuels are distinguished by the sulphur in them, and "low" is what is on our roads. The "high sulphur" diesel is for heating and farm use.
Bio-diesel is extremely available and renewable.
Algae. There has also been internet chatter about algae as a possible bio fuel. So far, government tests look promising. And that too, has a ".org" website. The Aquatic Species Program, ran by the Department of Energy, also explored those alternatives for fuel, during President Jimmy Carter's term. Some studies have shown projected yields to be high, translating to good availablility, and opportunity.
Hydrogen cells are being explored as a means to store power and fuel. These experiments and studies of hydrogen for fuel have been hampered by hydrogen's relative inefficient reproduction of power.
The fuel cell concept is getting more efficient, and studies continue around the world. Germany is a leader in the industry and has hydrogen refueling stations readily available. California has some hydrogen filling stations, and continues to lead America into the field of hydrogen fuel cells.
Part of LBCC's focus and attention is on implementing the curriculum into the industry locally. Hydrogen is a good example, as the technology is booming, and training in maintenance is in high demand.
Electric/Hybrid vehicles are in mass production and are the most visible in the industry. LBCC has electric charge station parking spots. The spots on the south side, by the gymnasium, are getting more use as time goes by. Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more advanced and practical, and with that comes the need for these kinds of parking spaces, and for a labor force that is experienced and knowledgeable.
In the early 19th century, various experimentors and inventors, were producing electric motors. In a 2006 CNNMoney report, the first "hybrid" is profiled. The maker of this car, Woods, failed in this venture. The car, the "Dual Power", was too slow and too expensive. And had nobody to service it.
A Chevy Volt charges up in the LBCC parking lot. Photo by Ronald Borst
Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) is another viable, and very established alternative fuel. Northwest Natural Gas in Portland has a fleet of Ford trucks that run on natural gas, or CNG. The engines run on regular fuel but get an assist by switching to CNG.
At an Alternative Fuels Fair at LBCC in October 2012, Northwest Natural Gas(NWNG) had a Ford F250 that ran on both gasoline and CNG. It is not a mixture, but rather an alternating flow based on efficiency. "There is no difference between the two when you are sitting in the cab," said NWNG representative Steven Cole. The natural gas is less expensive to produce than conventional fuel, and burns with less emissions, Cole added.
Projected reserves of natural gas are very high. It is an industry that has much potential, and is established. Because of that, translating LBCC's new classes into jobs for the future, is good.
LBCC's focus is on the three most popular alternative fuels(CNG, electric,propane), but as Director Of College Advancement Dale Stowell said, "The idea is to remain open as to what alternative fuels," and added compressed air, hybrids, etc...
Optimism is high, and enthusiasm higher. The program is ready to lead the area's students into a new era of fuel technology.
A car waits to be worked on. Below: A student works on his pickup. LBCC Garage, 2013.
.JPG)
The new curriculum has a "Flex" designation, meaning that the program is open-minded in its approach to what and how. This industry, is moving fast and changing by the moment, and so versatility is an asset in regards to a successful program. That versatility will help LBCC students to learn the technical lessons surrounding alternative fuels, and LBCC partnerships with local business will also provide instruction for maintenance of infrastructure. Part of the Lebanon build will be a CNG filling station close to the new school.
LBCC has been extremely active in fundraising and creating alliances in the local arena. With LBCC being a "commuter" school, this focus is extraordinary and relevant. "Local involvement and local influence has helped make this opportunity a reality," said Stowell.
No comments:
Post a Comment