Direct Energy electric vehicle charging bay and solar array unveiled at Georgian’s Owen Sound Campus
Sept. 21, 2016
Georgian professor Dr. Ron Sky explains the benefits of having a solar array on the Owen Sound Campus. The solar array was donated to the college by Direct Energy. The company also installed an electric vehicle charging bay, which will be used by drivers who visit, study or work at the campus as well as for student research.
Representatives from Direct Energy gathered at Georgian’s Owen Sound Campus on Sept. 19 to celebrate the company’s collaboration with the college and the installation of a solar array and electric vehicle (EV) charging bay.
The charging bay will power up research and unique hands-on learning opportunities for students while also helping the environment.
A similar EV charging bay was installed at the Barrie Campus in 2013 with the assistance of Ford Motor Company of Canada and PowerStream. Since then, hundreds of students have undertaken major class projects related to EVs and the charging bay.
Kevin Weaver, Vice President, International, Workforce Development and Partnerships at Georgian, is hoping the same experiences will be afforded to students at the Owen Sound Campus and region.
“The solar power-assisted charging bay will teach students about the impact of electric vehicles, renewable energy and electrical distribution,” says Weaver. “It may also produce financial savings for the college and a reduced carbon footprint.”
The green energy from the solar array will be net metered so that it will either be charging electric vehicles or be used by the campus when vehicles aren’t plugged in.
Tom Marshall, Manager of Eastern Canadian Sales at Direct Energy, says the equipment is critical in helping students understand the impact of a variety of electrical vehicles on the utility grid and that it will better their education in general.
“Direct Energy’s core value is using its energy expertise to improve the lives of others and I cannot think of a better way to improve the lives of others than to partner with youth through education and to inspire the next generation of energy workers and citizens,” says Marshall.
Georgian offers a number of programs directly related to the green energy sector, including electrical, mechanical, civil and architectural engineering technology, as well as environmental technology.