The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Black Hills Power have unveiled the Black Hills Power Renewable Energy Research Facility, the product of an exciting partnership established to address tomorrow's energy needs.
The facility, funded through a $90,000 donation from Black Hills Power, consists of one 20 kW ReDriven wind turbine, one 2.4 kW Skystream 3.7 wind turbine, and three EnPhase photovoltaic panels, providing modern technology for researching wind and solar energy opportunities.
"An awareness of sustainable principles is an important part of any engineering and science curricula, and this endeavor will allow the School of Mines to equip our students with the technology they need to face these issues," School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D., said. "I am proud of our partnership with Black Hills Power - together, we are inventing tomorrow."
The knowledge of renewable energy principles will be an increasingly important skill for students as they compete for technology jobs in the future. The best way to incorporate these principles at the School of Mines is by practicing sustainability as a campus. Through this partnership with Black Hills Power, there is an unprecedented opportunity to provide meaningful research experiences for engineering and science students and to establish collaborative outreach activities for the community and K-12 teachers and students.
"Black Hills Power believes a diverse portfolio of resources produces the best results for customers, and our partnership with the School of Mines demonstrates that philosophy," Chuck Loomis, Black Hills Power's vice president of operations, said. "What is learned through this renewable energy research facility will be applied to meeting the challenges associated with the emerging field of renewable energy generation and distribution."
Construction support provided by Birdsall Sand and Gravel, Border States Electric, Horst Masonry and Concrete Pumping, FMG Engineering, Inc., Knology of the Black Hills, Power Plus, Inc., Robert C. Scull Construction, Timberline and Western Dakota Technical Institute.
