Equipment and Facilities
| ECAM | Wind Turbine | Photovoltaic Panels |
Center for Energy Conservation and Advanced Manufacturing
A new $9 Million 34,000 square-foot applied technology center at the MATC Oak Creek campus.
ECAM is developing advanced educational programs for equipping and managing the new high-performance green buildings. New technicians are being trained for the installation, maintenance and operation of latest-generation, high-efficiency, digitally controlled heating and cooling systems. Students, employers and the public also will be educated about renewable energy.
ECAM teaches high-skill competencies, but that is far from the only reason it exists. We also teach new ways for employees to work together efficiently. In the realm of systems and strategies for energy conservation, we provide technology training and best-practice counsel.
To waste energy drives up the end cost of consumer and commercial goods. The effects compound mercilessly in a context of rapidly rising energy prices. In response, more and more companies are adopting energy-efficient machines, practices and facilities. "We are here to help them make optimal choices," said John Stilp, vice president for the Oak Creek Campus and ECAM project leader.
An Advanced Software Lab features latest-generation software and hardware for energy conservation, advanced manufacturing, digital building controls and corporate training.
An Energy Solutions Lab demonstrates how technology processes can benefit from smart-energy applications and policies, aligned with principles of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
At the HVAC Digital Controls Lab, students learn how to manage and maintain the new wireless, digital technologies for high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, now being installed in the new, high-performance green buildings.
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Wind Turbine
MATC has installed a 90 kilowatt power wind generator on its Mequon Campus. The unit is a refurbished turbine taken from a large western wind farm. It is just another example of the recycling efforts of MATC and using recycled materials.
The wind generator is connected to the Mequon Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System. Day or night when there is sufficient wind the generator begins to turn. In the head of the unit there are actually two (2) different generators. In light wind there is insufficient energy to turn the larger 90kWh generator. Instead the smaller kWh generator is engaged. As the wind picks up there is a transmission similar to that in your car, which allows the generator to shift to the larger generator.
It is the largest wind turbine project to be installed by a Wisconsin Technical college. The turbine is expected to provide up to 8 percent of the campus' energy needs, saving taxpayer dollars.
The wind tower cost about $150,000, with about $57,000 coming from a grant from the Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation. The college expects to recoup its investment within eight years or less at current energy prices.
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Photovoltaic Panels and Roofing
Milwaukee Area Technical College currently has two different locations with photovoltaic solar panels installed. They are located at the Mequon and Oak Creek Campus'. They feature stationary pole mounted, roof mounted and a pole mounted tracking system that adjusts to track the sun throughout the day.
The energy produced by these systems is sold to WE Energies. The production of solar energy helps to reduce MATC's dependency on fossil fuels.
In addition, Milwaukee Area Technical College is planning to install Photovoltaic roof membrane as standard roofing material whenever possible in the future. Recently a membrane roof containing photovoltaic cells has come to market. These are Green Roofs as they convert renewable energy into useful power similar to the glass photovoltaic systems at the Mequon and Oak Creek Campus.
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