by Sandy Cutshall, Techniques Contributing Writer, and Lynn Strang, East Valley Institute of Technology
Imagine a sports car that exhausts cleaner air than the atmosphere we breathe, a lawnmower that trims grass without a carburetor and a city that uses its wastewater and garbage to power a fleet of municipal vehicles.
Is such a world possible? According to experts dedicated to the advancement of renewable resources, the practical use of non-polluting energy sources is much closer than we think.
As career and technology educators, we can see the future developing in our classrooms every day. Because our students will undoubtedly be the next generation of innovators, it is vital that they learn about and explore new technologies that can lead us into energy independence.
Today, such cutting-edge concepts are presented in a class on solar-hydrogen technologies at the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT).
EVIT?located in Mesa, Arizona?is the only technology center in the nation to offer this particular class where students learn the latest in energy technologies.
"Finding new energy sources will be critical in the future," says Roy McAlister, president of the American Hydrogen Association and a teacher in the class.
"We are using one million years? accumulation of fossil-based fuel every year. This causes economic inflation and strife between industrialized countries and oil-producing nations. It also perpetuates the pollution of our air," McAlister says.
In the EVIT "Energy Technology" class, students learn how to convert lawnmowers, generators, automobiles, boats and go-carts to operate on hydrogen fuel. The program will also include stationary and mobile fuel cells, hydrogen production technologies and renewable carbon products.
A former university professor, McAlister believes hydrogen technology will allow this country to become energy independent. It will also produce thousands of jobs to generate and distribute alternative fuels, install and maintain equipment and develop the interfaces for a smooth transition to a sustainable economy, he says.
McAlister is the inventor of Total Energy Systems for You (TESY). TESY is being used in disaster areas to produce energy and water when traditional systems are not available.
"One kilogram of hydrogen will produce nine kilograms of pure, distilled water," explains McAlister. TESY has been in use all summer in the California fire areas.
"It produces energy for cooking, water for drinking and bathing, electricity for restoring the community and provides a sanitary system to rid the site of waste and debris."
At EVIT, all courses are developed in conjunction with the needs of business and industry. Each course has an advisory committee of business and industry experts to help keep the class aligned with the expectations of employers. Energy Technology is no exception. As new alternative fuel automobiles become more commonplace, the automotive industry needs skilled, well-trained technicians and engineers.
"We are delighted to offer this course for the very first time in our nation on EVIT?s campus," says Dr. Sally Downey, superintendent at the Institute.
"When industry and education get together, the sky is the limit," remarks Downey. "Career and technical education must be at the forefront of training for new technology."
After completing the Energy Technology class, students can attain competence certifications through the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). Certified technicians are in high demand at automotive proving grounds for testing.
According to Don Anderson of DaimlerChrysler in Arizona, production of alternative fuels is crucial.
"It is a moral imperative to develop renewable hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, and there will be much demand for engineers and technicians that have the appropriate skills," says Anderson.
In the EVIT program, students in the advanced engineering program rotate through the Energy Technology class to increase their knowledge of alternative fuels.
The academically rigorous course requires students to be proficient in Algebra I and II, Geometry, General Science, Chemistry, Physics and Language Arts.
This year, 66 students are enrolled in the advanced engineering class, many of whom are top-ranked honor students with full schedules of classes at their home high schools.
To make the program work for these students, EVIT?s Energy Technology and advanced engineering classes follow "anytime hours." Students are allowed to attend any time during the day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. as long as they schedule and complete 12.5 hours of class time each week.
Senior Richard Deiner is a second-year student at EVIT. Richard completed the Engineering Technology program in 2001-02 but was so interested in Energy Technology that he returned for his senior year.
"Even if I get an engineering degree at ASU [Arizona State University], I may not be able to get this kind of training," explains Deiner. "I feel that it is important that I experience as many aspects of engineering as possible.
"This class is really exciting."
Deiner is currently working at an internship at Craken Research and Development and hopes to earn scholarships for Mesa Community College and Arizona State University. He is really excited that this one-of-a-kind training is happening at his technology center.
After completing a basic electronics class, students like Richard can select courses in Aviation Maintenance, Avionics, Advanced Electronics, Engineering Technology or Energy Technology.
Those students selecting Energy Technology will continue with a program that includes energy safety, alternative power sources, biochemical technology, fuel conversion technology, fuel storage technology and alternative fuel applications.
Students work on a variety of engine types to learn about alternative fuel applications. Because hands-on experience is vital to the educational process of the program, each student is required to put together a hydrogen-fueled engine model kit.
"Nothing is more helpful in learning how an engine works than building it yourself," explains EVIT Instructor Dr. Charles Terrey.
EVIT is Arizona?s first Joint Technical Education District (JTED), offering programs in 35 different areas. High school students spend half the day at EVIT enrolled in a technical class and half the school day at their home high school taking academic subjects. More than 2,400 students are currently registered for classes. High school students attend tuition free; adults may also attend the school for a fee.
The world market for all forms of fossil energy is equivalent to 180 million barrels of oil each day. Every day about 31.5 billion gallons of oil are at sea being transported to energy-hungry markets. Each year about 100 million gallons of oil are spilled. Greenhouse gases are being added to the atmosphere at alarming rates.
According to the American Hydrogen Association, solar-hydrogen can one day offer the United States both energy independence and freedom from pollution. Figuring out how to incorporate emerging energy technologies is clearly vital to developing a sustainable future for our nation and the world.
And?as can be seen at the East Valley Institute of Technology?it is the students sitting in our classrooms today who will lead us to a brighter energy-independent tomorrow.
Sandy Cutshall is a writer and adult educator in Mountain View, California. Lynn Strang is the public relations director at the East Valley Institute of Technology in Mesa, Arizona.
Some Facts about Solving the Energy Crisis
(according to the American Hydrogen Association)
- Hydrogen can be manufactured by using solar energy and water. It can also be produced from wind energy and hydro-electricity and water. This is known as "solar-hydrogen."
- Solar-hydrogen is a non-polluting renewable energy carrier. Hydrogen burned as a fuel produces only water and traces of oxides of nitrogen. Water and oxides of nitrogen are natural in our atmosphere.
- Hydrogen could be cost competitive at 75 cents per gallon equivalent of gasoline.
- Existing automobiles can right now be economically converted to burn hydrogen fuel.
- Any of the following states could eventually be richer (produce more wealth) than Saudi Arabia by making and selling solar-hydrogen: California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Texas. These states could provide endless supplies of solar-hydrogen for the U.S. and other countries.
For more information about those featured in this article:
East Valley Institute of Technology
480-461-4000
www.evit.com
American Hydrogen Association
www.clean-air.org
American Association of Energy Engineers
www.aeecenter.org
