Students and others at the Renewable Energy Training Center at SUNY Morrisville .
7th Annual Empire State Energy Conference
SUNY Morrisville is home to the Agricultural and Clean Energy Technology ( ACET ) Center , a $ 16 million facility that features 30,000 square feet dedicated to renewable energy , diesel technology , and agricultural engineering programs . Also , it ’ s about a 25-minute drive from Turning Stone , the casino resort where the Empire State Energy Association held its annual Energy Conference . So , it made sense to pencil in a visit as part of the program .
Kris DeLair , executive director of ESEA , said that Michael Devine , president of the National Oilheat Research Alliance , and Thomas Butcher , its research director , led fuel retailers on a tour of the facility . The group visited with students in the program , as well as the program ’ s director , Professor Ben Ballard .
DeLair said she asked Ballard what the students are interested in when they begin the program . Ballard reported that typically the students are interested in solar and wind “ because that ’ s what they hear a lot about ,” DeLair said . The program serves to expose the students to renewable liquid fuels . “ So , they ’ re going to come out of that program with a well-rounded knowledge of renewable fuels ,” DeLair said , “ and I think it ’ s fantastic that the NORA program is being integrated into that .”
SUNY Morrisville ’ s renewable energy program is a natural fit with NORA ’ s education certification program focusing on liquid fuel combustion and technologies , the Alliance said on its website . In partnership with SUNY Morrisville , the NORA curriculum leading to a Bronze certificate is being offered to students in the renewable energy program beginning in the current 2024-2025 academic year . The courses provide students the opportunity to earn a certification , which is recognized across the industry for its focus on energy efficiency and liquid renewable energy technologies . This addition to the SUNY Morrisville curriculum will give students a competitive edge in the rapidly growing renewable energy sector .
NORA and SUNY Morrisville said students gain hands-on
PHOTO CREDIT : © CREDIT EMPIRE STATE ENERGY ASSOCIATION
experience in various energy sources through biofuels , biomass processing , hydro , solar , wind , and thermal energy labs .
DeLair said of the visit , “ We sat in on one of the renewable energy classes .” Devine and Butcher addressed the class , and fuel marketers including Greg Childs of Main-Care Energy and Brandon Smith of Scott Smith & Son met the students . DeLair said of the students , “ They ’ re going to have this vast well-rounded knowledge of all renewable energy sectors which is fantastic . “ They come out with degrees and if we have companies hiring them , they can potentially help our members and their companies diversify into other renewable energy sectors , if they so choose .”
The collaboration between NORA and the college extends to an innovative research project aimed at optimizing the performance of renewable liquid fuel storage in cold climates . The project involves installation of a well-insulated and heated tank enclosure at the SUNY Morrisville campus , where the performance of the system will be monitored under various weather conditions . The data collected will be invaluable in developing more effective technologies that can withstand the challenges of harsh winter climates , contributing to the broader adoption of renewable liquid fuels in regions with similar conditions .
SUNY Morrisville is part of the State University of New York system . It offers undergraduate and graduate programs and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education . It is 30 miles from Syracuse and Utica , and about four hours north of New York City . Initially established as an agricultural and technical school , it has become a technologically advanced college with a rich diversity of bachelor ' s and associate degree programs . Notably , SUNY Morrisville offers Bachelor of Technology ( B . Tech .) and Associate of Applied Science ( A . A . S .) degrees in renewable energy . These degrees encompass all forms of renewables , including biofuels . Given this academic focus , it is clear why SUNY Morrisville is an ideal partner for NORA , which has a long-standing commitment to advancing zero carbon heating .
For more information about SUNY Morrisville ’ s Agricultural and Clean Energy Technology ( ACET ) Center , visit : https :// www . morrisville . edu / facility / agricultural-and-clean-energytechnologyacet-center .
Nearly 100 fuel marketers and industry suppliers attended the 7th Annual Empire State Energy Conference at the
Touring the Renewable Energy Training Center .
16 NOVEMBER 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com