By Stephen Moore and Josh Hall

RDC celebrates Alternative Energy Lab

Feb 7, 2019 | 3:20 PM

Red Deer College enjoyed a special moment Thursday with the grand opening of its Alternative Energy Lab.

The lab is located on the main campus and showcases an impressive learning and research area for students to learn and grow in their careers. It has a wide range of technology to support the latest innovations in alternative energy.

One of the main features of the new lab is “mirrored technology”, meaning equipment within the space replicates and simulates the alternative energy units already installed on campus.  

“This lab, along with all of the other alternative energy projects we have undertaken across our college over the past few years, makes RDC a post-secondary leader in alternative energy and innovation,” says President and CEO, Joel Ward.

residential mill rate to hold steady

Penhold town council approves final tax rate increases

4h ago

tips to prevent fires

Sylvan Lake urges extra caution as dry conditions push fire risk higher

5h ago

Guest speaker Chad Reyes

Premier Danielle Smith addresses Red Deerians at Christian Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

10h ago

Around 1,000 students from a variety of programs like engineering technologies, Instrumentation and Carpentry will have access and learn from this lab every year.

Ward explains the benefits this lab will give to students.

“We are providing opportunities for our students to get applied learning experiences with alternative energy systems, and we’re also a hub for learning, demonstration, and research with our business and industry partners.”

Officials say the Alternative Energy Lab is an important component of the college’s broader Alternative Energy Initiative designed to promote environmental stewardship through the use of sustainable, energy efficient technologies. RDC has installed almost 4,200 solar panels across its campus with an estimated 23 per cent of electricity the College uses yearly coming from solar power – reducing annual CO2 emissions by almost 1,100 tons.

“We’re having an impact by becoming more energy efficient and sustainable as an organization,” says Ward. “Through our new lab, we’re also having an impact by providing teaching and learning opportunities that will help our students and industry partners to be knowledgeable about the technology that’s available today, as they create technology that’s needed for the future.”