Breaking ground
Renewable energy research center to be built on campus
by Marti Klinsing
Issue date: 11/17/09
Section: Campus News
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On Friday, ground was broken for a new, renewable energy research center on campus near Wiecking Center. The $1.8 million, 6,300-square foot building will be the Center for Renewable Energy Research and Technology Transfer. Within the center, 1,500-square feet will be dedicated for the International Renewable Energy Technology Institute and 4,800-square feet will be dedicated to an emissions laboratory.
Before taking their gold plated shovels to the ground, President Richard Davenport, Director of Business and Industry Partnerships John Frey, automotive engineering technology chairperson Kirk Ready, and numerous other faculty, legislators, trustees, and donors gathered in "Johnny's Garage," right next to the groundbreaking site, to give thanks and discuss what will come with the new center.
"This new research, testing and technology facility is a cutting-edge addition to Minnesota's alternative energy," said Davenport. "It will stimulate growth and development in bio-fuels and related fields, and it will keep the state at the top of the list of green energy innovators."
The center will be designed to test emissions and efficiency for fuels for engines as well as building heating units. The center's emissions laboratory will be the only research facility in the Upper Midwest capable of conducting biodiesel, ethanol, hybrid and other bio-fuel engine tests according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.
"The footprints are small, but global in terms of concept," Frey said. "The university has a role to move forward to commercialization and building public and private partnerships [within the International Renewable Energy Technology Institute]."
Frey and State Rep. Bob Gunther began their funding quest two years ago and were approved in the 2009 legislative session. Since then, the institute has brought international attention to Mankato's renewable energy efforts, such as speeding up the process for automakers to meet higher Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards by 2016, helping public agencies and private companies acquire more fuel efficient vehicles for their fleet, measuring exhaust and evaporative emissions from biodeisel and producing certifiable data that business and industry can use to improve the efficiency of bio-fuel engines.
The center will work globally starting with Sweden because of its renewable energy leadership. A Swedish representative was present for the groundbreaking and said Sweden has become such a leader in the renewable energy efforts because in "1990 the country put a carbon tax in Sweden which resulted in the rise in the price for energy so they decided to buy renewable energy sources."Â
Sweden is now saving about 80 percent with bioenergy and their industry now holds 43 percent of all turnover of energy. "Companies need a platform like this university for more bioenergy resources," said the representative.Â
In addition to research, the center's goal is to provide technology transfer that will move new products toward commercialization, increasing the manufacture of products in Minnesota.Â
The new center will also allow automotive engineering technology students and other engineering and science students to do top-level "green" energy research with faculty members in all elements of renewable energy.
The center is expected to be completed in mid-2010. It is funded through federal, state and private sources, including the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Minnesota Department of Economic Employment Development, the Department of Energy, the Minnesota Corn Growers, Fagen, Inc., AgStar Financial and other partners.Â
"We are grateful to the Minnesota Legislature, the federal government and the private donors for making this new building possible," Davenport said.
Marti Klinsing is a Reporter staff writer
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