The 小蝌蚪APP and Louisiana Generating LLC, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc., have signed an agreement for the construction and operation of a $5 million solar project on campus.
The Photovoltaic Applied Research and Testing Laboratory will be located on about five acres in the northeastern portion of 小蝌蚪APP Research Park, near Eraste Landry Road.
Dr. Terry Chambers, an associate professor of mechanical engineering who is leading the project, said it will be used to evaluate emerging solar technologies. 小蝌蚪APP淎t the same time, it小蝌蚪APP檚 a power generator. Essentially, we小蝌蚪APP檙e building our own renewable power plant on campus,小蝌蚪APP he said.
The PART Lab will give students training in the field of alternative energy, reduce the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 net fossil-fueled energy consumption by up to 10 percent, and offset air emissions like sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and greenhouse gases.
NRG is funding the entire solar project, which will be owned and operated by the 小蝌蚪APP. Construction is expected to take less than a year.
Dr. Mark Zappi, dean of UL Lafayette小蝌蚪APP檚 and director of the Energy Institute of Louisiana, said the state-of-the-art PART Lab 小蝌蚪APP渞epresents how industry, university, and government partnerships can be leveraged to better position Louisiana as the energy state for the United States. It will further entrench UL Lafayette as a key national player in the alternative energy development and applications arena.小蝌蚪APP
Chambers is also director of the 小蝌蚪APP小蝌蚪APP檚 Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy. He said the PART Lab 小蝌蚪APP渨ill provide Louisiana-specific performance and price information regarding the use of various solar technologies in Louisiana.小蝌蚪APP
小蝌蚪APP淚n addition, since this lab will be the largest renewable energy project ever installed in Lafayette, and one of the largest solar projects ever in the state, it will provide valuable information regarding the proper way to integrate a large renewable energy project into an existing power grid. Information and experience gained from this project will be disseminated to the public to further the development of commercial-scale use of solar technology in Louisiana in the future.小蝌蚪APP
NRG will also fund an endowment at the UL Lafayette Foundation that will enable the 小蝌蚪APP to operate and maintain the system to ensure clean power generation for at least 25 years.
小蝌蚪APP淭his project is a powerful demonstration of how one solar energy project can provide multiple and far-reaching benefits in Louisiana 小蝌蚪APP reducing energy costs for the 小蝌蚪APP, abating emissions, and providing valuable opportunities to advance solar energy research,小蝌蚪APP said Jennifer Vosburg, president of Louisiana Generating and senior vice president of NRG. 小蝌蚪APP淲e are proud to work with the UL Lafayette on such an impactful project.小蝌蚪APP
NRG has corporate headquarters in Princeton, N.J., and in Houston. Louisiana Generating is located in New Roads, La.
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About UL Lafayette
The 小蝌蚪APP, the largest campus of the 小蝌蚪APP of Louisiana System, offers bachelor小蝌蚪APP檚, master小蝌蚪APP檚, and doctoral degrees. The 小蝌蚪APP has a total enrollment over 18,000 students. Within the Carnegie classification, the 小蝌蚪APP is designated as a Research 小蝌蚪APP with High Research Activity. The 小蝌蚪APP is dedicated to achieving excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, in research, and in public service.
About NRG
NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of the nation小蝌蚪APP檚 largest and most diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune 200 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large and small, we continually innovate, embrace and implement sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy. We aim to be pioneers in developing smarter energy choices and delivering exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout the country.