BOONE—Appalachian State University’s Renewable Energy Initiative (REI) has received a Leadership in Sustainability Award from the State Energy Office of North Carolina.

The award was presented at the 6th Annual North Carolina Sustainable Energy Conference. It recognizes programs, businesses and/or individuals who have demonstrated the greatest impact in renewable energy, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, economic development or environmental stewardship.

The award was accepted by Adam Milt and Ged Moody, former student chairs of REI, and Patrick Beville, a staff advisor and a project manager with Appalachian’s Office of Design and Construction. The award will be displaced in the REI kiosk in Plemmons Student Union.

“This award for REI is another example of the dedication to sustainability and the accomplishments of Appalachian students regarding renewable energy,” Beville said.

REI is a student-run organization that recommends and coordinates renewable energy projects on campus that are supported by a $5 per semester fee approved by students in 2004. To date, the student project has funded installation of a biodiesel tank, three solar electric projects and one solar thermal project.

The REI fee, along with support from the university and New River Light and Power, will be used to install a 100 kilowatt wind turbine near the Broyhill Inn and Conference center on campus. It’s anticipated that the installation will be complete by June. When complete, it will be the largest wind turbine in the state in terms of energy producing capacity.

“Other universities have a renewable energy fee, but Appalachian’s REI goes the extra step to get students involved as project managers,” said Larry Shirley, director of the State Energy Office.

In addition to serving as project managers, the students have selected designers and contractors to complete the renewable energy projects. Students conducted a wind and noise analysis, investigated the migratory bird path issue, and held a public forum about the wind turbine project.

REI currently is working with a contractor to install a 42-panel solar thermal system on the roof of Plemmons Student Union.  A centralized monitoring software package will keep track of the alternative energy produced on campus.

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