Cambrian College unveils Sustainable Energy Lab

Cambrian College has unveiled its new Sustainable Energy Lab, which will be used by students in the college's Energy Systems Technology program.

The lab is a portable construction trailer – a typical utilitarian structure – and complements the three Living Labs opened for the program in September 2009.

This past school year, third-year Energy Systems Technology students were challenged to modify two-thirds of the lab space using energy efficient technologies to significantly reduce the lab’s energy consumption and ultimately take it “off the grid.”

The students succeeded in their efforts by completing a number of modifications to the lab, including the installation of solar photovoltaic panels, the replacement of windows and the door, and the installation of a small wood pellet stove for heating.

The unmodified section of the lab was transformed into a workshop complete with workbench, vise, drill press, and band saw. This section will also serve as the lab’s baseline model for energy use and will be compared against results of future tests of energy efficient technology.

“The Sustainable Energy Lab has been an exciting addition to the fieldwork students undertake in the Energy Systems Technology program,” Geoff Dalton, dean of Cambrian’s School of Engineering Technology, said.

“The work of our students demonstrates the potential of energy efficient technologies and also provides them with the skills sought by employers in the emerging green economy.”

“This lab is a great example of how Cambrian’s training facilities provide students with the opportunity to put knowledge acquired in the classroom into action,” Sylvia Barnard, president of Cambrian College, said.

“There is an increasing demand for work-ready graduates, so applied learning is more important than ever in the learning process and in helping students to achieve success in their chosen field.”