With more and more people seeing the need for a greener tomorrow, interest in renewable energy sources – especially biobased energy systems – has increased.
To help introduce West Virginia University students to the ever-increasing biorefining industry, the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design is offering a new class this fall – Introduction of Biobased Energy Systems.
The course will explore the legislation of and demand for renewable energy, standard terminology, types of source material, characterizations, pretreatments and productions, conversion technologies, as well as economics, sustainability and life cycle analysis.
“The current interest in the biorefining industry for biofuel production has created a huge demand for skilled technicians, facility operation managers, engineers, and scientists,” explained Kaushlendra Singh, assistant professor of wood science and technology and course instructor. “It’s not an industry exclusive to those with backgrounds in agriculture or natural resources. It also requires skilled engineers and biological scientists.”
Since the course is designed to feature broad topics, Singh has lined up a multi-disciplinary team to offer lectures throughout the semester. Participating faculty members and their areas of expertise include:
- Alan Collins, professor of agricultural and resource economics, biorefining economics
- Alan Sextone, professor of environmental microbiology, algae production
- Benjamin Dawson-Andoh, professor of wood science and technology, pre-processing of woody biomass
- David DeVallance, assistant professor of wood science and technology, biomaterials and biocomposites
- Edward M. Sabolsky, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, mechanical systems and fuel cell
- Gloria Oporto, assistant professor of wood science and technology, biomaterials and biocomposites
- James Kotcon, associate professor of plant and soil sciences, green house gas emissions
- James P. Armstrong, associate professor of wood science and technology, wood drying and anatomy
- Jeff Skousen, professor of soil sciences, agriculture based feedstock production and environmental protection
- Jingxin Wang, associate professor of wood science and technology, forest based feedstock production, logistics, preprocessing and carbon sequestration
- John Zondlo, professor of chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, thermo-chemical conversion and fuel cell
- Stephen DiFazio, assistant professor of biology in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, genetic improvement of feedstock
- Thomas Griggs, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences, biology and management of agriculture based feedstock
Classes will be held from 1-2 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in 335 Percival Hall. The three-credit hour course has no prerequisites and is open to all students.
Interested students should register under Wood Science (WDSC) 293C (CRN 88830).
For more information, contact Singh at kaushlendra.singh@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-7643.
-WVU-
la/8/18/10
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