Stevens Institute of Technology is far ahead of New Jersey’s plan for “20% alternative fuels by 2020.”  The school is set to expand its solar panel system with plans to add new co-generation systems in 2009.  The new solar system will add carport panels to the 8th street parking lot, in addition to panels in other locations.  The cogen systems will also increase heating efficiency for the school by utilizing heat produced by the Schaeffer Gym pool heaters, as well as the boilers in Carnegie Labs.

Cogen systems generate electricity using a natural gas engine to produce electricity while recycling the waste heat to be reused.  The micro-cogen systems will harness the heat given off by the Schaeffer gym pool heater as well as the stacks in Carnegie Lab. 

In addition, Mark Byrd of the Physical Plant has worked with the senior design team to find out the viability of solar panel and wind turbine projects on the roof of the Babbio Center. These alternative fuel sources, he says, will ultimately help students who are doing research.  “Students will have access to this data,” reports Byrd.  “We’ll have real time data coming onto our web pages.”