Students in Cascadia Community College’s Environmental Technologies and Sustainable Practices (ETSP) program are getting real-world experience working on a geothermal energy project.
Students from Mel Oyler’s classes are working with environmental engineers from Haley & Aldrich to conduct a feasibility study to determine if a geothermal energy system could be a sustainable, low-cost energy option for the Cascadia/University of Washington-Bothell campus.
“The focus in our Environmental Technologies and Sustainable Practices program is on providing students with authentic experiences. This project is organized like a professional engineering project because we want our students to do the actual tasks and activities they would be doing in the work place. It’s a more valuable learning experience for our students,” says Oyler.
The team of students working with Haley & Aldrich is currently in the data-gathering phase, which includes reviewing the campus’ energy system, compiling information on energy usage and examining how campus expansion will increase energy demands in the future.
Cascadia student Rex Allen, one of three students working on the project, prepared the project timelines and coordinates the team’s work. Allen has more than 25 years of experience in architecture, project and construction management and consulting.
“The ETSP program was attractive to me as a way of refocusing my business on green-energy projects. Once the geothermal project is over, I will have the real-world experience working on a green technology project that I’ll need,” says Allen.
Sharon Schultz, another student working on the project, enrolled in the ETSP program to enhance her background of 25 years in the soils and construction materials business with a new focus on sustainability.
“On this project, I’ve enjoyed using my soils knowledge in the data-gathering process. I like the challenge of trying to figure out which methods of geothermal energy would work best on campus and why,” says Schultz.
Haley & Aldrich will provide technical information for different types of geothermal systems. Once the students finish gathering data, they will use it to evaluate the various systems and make recommendations regarding their feasibility for Cascadia/UW-Bothell.
“We are pleased with the team of students with whom we’re working, as well as the support we’ve received from campus administration. With this project, we hope to help Cascadia meet its carbon-emission-reduction goals and find a low-cost alternative energy source to support its master plan,” says David Winter, senior vice president at Haley & Aldrich.
