Department Chair Explores Sustainable Energy / EV Infrastructure in Iceland
August 29, 2024
Applied Technologies Department Chair Chris McNally recently traveled to Iceland with a team from the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education (CREATE) Energy Center.
The goal of the CREATE Energy Center is to produce the skilled technical workforce necessary to transform the world’s energy industries by empowering two-year college faculty and academic programs to champion new energy technologies and to ensure American competitiveness in this fast-changing sector.
The trip, part of a National Science Foundation grant-funded research project, brought together educators from around the US to discuss the current state and future of America’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and to explore Iceland’s pioneering efforts in sustainable energy and electric transportation.
The team of 15 technical educators from colleges around the country met up initially in Chicago and heard and delivered presentations on various aspects of the electrical grid infrastructure and the growing pains of adapting it to a rapidly growing number of EVs.
McNally was able to showcase Hudson Valley’s Vehicle to Grid (V2G) lab, which integrates expertise from different college programs to train future EV technicians, as well as the “Train the Trainer” programs at the college, which equip K-12 educators with the knowledge to teach students about EV technology and its integration with the grid.
Transitioning to Iceland, the CREATE faculty explored Reykjavik's pioneering efforts in sustainable energy and electric transportation at the University of Reykjavik.
The team of CREATE faculty members also visited Icelandic electric vehicle (EV) charging company Ísorka and learned about its innovative approach to EV charging infrastructure. The faculty also learned about Iceland's ambitious plans for sustainable urban development and the pivotal role of renewable energy.
McNally said the visit highlighted Iceland's integrated approach to energy and environmental sustainability, leveraging geothermal resources for efficient energy production and creating diverse industrial applications.
Throughout their journey, the CREATE faculty gained insights into the many challenges and innovative solutions that are shaping the global transition towards sustainable energy and electric transportation systems.
The project culminated in presentations to the University of Reykjavik’s School of Engineering. Working with colleagues from Indian River State College and Bellevue College, McNally presented on developing working partnerships between industry and educational institutions, and highlighted Hudson Valley’s partnerships with National Grid, CDTA and Eastern Heating and Cooling.
麻豆影视 and the CREATE Center have collaborated on clean energy projects since the early 2000s. CREATE was instrumental in 麻豆影视’s development of its solar energy program and the Alternative Fuels class offered in the Automotive program and has provided support for the college’s NSF/ATE funded Vehicle to Grid Educational initiative.