2 – Investing in Existing Technologies for Alternative Energy Production

Penn State has done remarkably well at implementing energy efficiency and conservation projects in past years. At University Park, electricity use is down 7.5% from 2005, despite there being an additional one million square feet of building area. Amory Lovins of the Rocky Mountain Institute claims that today’s cost-effective technologies can further reduce energy use to a fraction of its current level. In this workshop, we’ll creatively consider what else should be done with current technologies, including renewable energy.

PARTICIPANTS

JAMES BRASSEUR
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics and Founding Chair of the APS Topical Group on the Physics of Climate

At Penn State since 1989, Jim specializes in fluid dynamics and has long-standing research programs in turbulence physics, including the dynamics of the lower atmosphere and its interaction with wind turbines, and in the physiology and mechanics of the gastrointestinal tract. Jim was a recent member of the Executive Committee for the American Physical Society (APS) is past chair of the APS Topical Group on the Physics of Climate. Jim currently leads a research team that is developing a high performance computing “Cyber Wind Facility” for wind turbine research.

JEFFREY R. S. BROWNSON
Associate Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering
John and  Willie Leone Family Department of                                        Energy and Mineral Engineering

Dr. Jeffrey Brownson serves as lead for the Solar Option within the RESS program. Dr. Brownson’s research is focused on solar resource assessment and systems performance in photovoltaics and buildings, and he has participated with the DoE SunShot Initiative for Solar Forecasting and the DoE Energy Efficient Buildings Hub at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. Dr. Brownson also served as the faculty lead for the Penn State team in the 2009 Solar Decathlon, held in Washington, DC. He is a member of the American Solar Energy Society’s Board of Directors, representing the interests and voice of students and faculty, and advocating the critical importance of our young professionals in the health and future of the industry.

MARY EASTERLING
Associate Director, Metrics and Assessment
Sustainability Institute

In her current role at Penn State’s Sustainability Institute, Ms. Easterling is responsible for tracking the University’s sustainability performance in both academic and operational areas.  In past positions, as an ecologist and modeler, she has supported a variety of research projects that assess human impacts on the environment, including the biophysical and economic impacts of climate change.

JASON GROTTINI
Director of Operations & Business Development, Envinity, Inc.

Jason is responsible for solar project development at Envinity.  Jason’s professional areas of interest include high performance building, residential energy retrofits, and sustainable community energy development .   Jason has worked directly with numerous municipalities , schools, small businesses, and home owners to achieve their energy reduction goals.

ANDY LAU
Associate Professor, Engineering Design

LAURA LITTLE MILLER
Senior Energy Engineer, OPP

Laura received her PhD in Education and her BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology at Penn State. Her career at Penn State spans 15 years including work with the Department of Architectural Engineering, Outreach Continuing Education, and OPP. Before Laura’s time at Penn State, she spent 10 years working at Metropolitan Edison which is now a First Energy Company.

NICK PRATT
Student

Nick is a senior graduating this spring in Energy Engineering.  He is currently the president of Penn State’s chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. Nick is passionate about the implementation of renewable energy systems in an economic and environmental way. He is beginning his career with PPL in Allentown, PA as an asset manager for landfill gas and photovoltaic power plants.

2014 Conference Information