Student team enters Green Energy Challenge

A team of Penn State students have submitted their energy audit of Radio Park Elementary School in State College, Pa., as part of the Green Energy Challenge.

The Green Energy Challenge asks teams across the country to conduct an energy audit of a local school building. The students develop energy efficiency and global energy concepts to apply at the school. It is sponsored by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA).

Each team submits competitive proposals to a board of seasoned electrical contractors for review. Penn State's team is coordinated by the student chapter of NECA.

Jeffrey Lackey, vice president of Penn State's NECA student chapter, said the competition is unique because it "allows students to be creative about energy solutions and it results in a product that can potentially be useful to a real client."

The contest is special in other ways. David Riley, director for the University's Center for Sustainability, said, "A unique aspect of this competition is that the teams are encouraged to seek outside input from contractors rather than remain in an educational vacuum. The teams are rewarded for their level of contact with field experts."

he top three teams will be invited to the NECA convention in September in Seattle, Wash. Other participating schools include Purdue University, Oregon State University, the University of Washington and the University of Wisconsin.