THEWIRE
Written For Students, By Students
Energy Management at Delaware Tech
By Derek Street
The Energy Technologies field at Delaware Tech is encouraging students to learn more about the benefits of exploring this career path. Energy Technologies is a constantly evolving career field that can be very rewarding to those who practice it and those looking to benefit from it.
As society embraces the idea of alternative energy sources and moves toward a more eco-friendly earth, this field is projected to grow exponentially and many jobs will become available. According to salary.com, yearly income for energy management professionals can range from $63,494 to $119,645. Worldwide spending on industrial energy management systems and services is projected to grow from $11.3 billion in 2013 to $22.4 billion in 2020, according to a study from Navigant Research.
Department Chair of Energy Technologies, David LaFazia, sat down to discuss the key points of the field and its potential for Owens campus students. When asked about what prospective students can expect from this field LaFazia said, the main goal is for students to form their own businesses.
LaFazia said, “There is a growing demand for energy management in Sussex County but not every business is qualified to meet that demand.”
LaFazia’s department works with students using a variety of methods to prepare them for real life situations, along with establishing connections with local businesses. He used the example of a class going out to a business and gathering data about its daily operations. The students made suggestions and recommendations for the business, creating relationships and spreading the knowledge of potential savings that are gained through eco-friendly alternatives.
“As more people become educated about the benefits of the field, the greater the demand for work among those qualified,” Lafazia said.
With an educated populace in mind, LaFazia is always looking for new opportunities to reach potential Delaware Tech students. As a judge for the Technology Student Association, a technology advisor for Odyssey of the Mind and working with Science Olympiad, LaFazia is eager to get young people involved in the world of science and explore the benefits of technology.
On March 27, LaFazia is coordinating the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Expo. This event is designed for students to work together to create products and present them to the community. Faculty sponsors from the college work with students to create a project to present at the expo.
“I try to keep up with what young people are doing so I can expose them to the prospects of being Delaware Tech students and the advantages of that,” LaFazia said.
The energy technology department encourages not only students to get involved but the community as well. The energy house is open for business and community members to discover the benefits of alternative options to conventional energy practices. The structure makes use of solar systems, wind generation equipment, a living green roof, radiant floor heating and geothermal options. Since its inception, the energy house has gained LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification by the United States Green Building Council. LEED recognizes practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions. Only 71 institutions of higher education in the U.S. have a LEED Platinum building on their campus, and only 11 of those are community colleges.
James Volkomer, Solar ad lab specialist, said on average, “The building’s electric bill runs at about $40 to $60 per month depending on weather conditions.” When asked about accessibility regarding expenses to more energy efficient products Volkomer said “The payback on the products will be worth it.”
Before any of that work is to be done, Volkomer recommends an energy audit to be done to see where a household lies specifically in potential energy improvement. This audit incorporates everything from replacing light bulbs to adding solar technology to the household.
Such an audit was conducted on the student services center at the Owens campus. William Beauchamp, full time energy instructor at Owens, provided the example of students getting involved right here at the college. An energy investment analysis class analyzed the cost of the lighting in the student services center. Students use this information to project what the initial savings would be from switching to more energy efficient alternatives. The result was estimated to save the college over $100,000 a year. Students then created spreadsheets and present their findings to officials within the college. Knowing this information and providing it for potential consumers is all a part of what students are expected to know at the completion of the energy technologies degree. With a diverse blend of current students in the curriculum, the energy technologies department has great opportunities for those who are just entering the workforce and those who have been in it for some time.
The energy technologies department is actively looking for qualified businesses to set up cooperative programs for their students to gain employment. Certain business, like Flexera, provide up-and-coming energy students a chance to work in the field while they complete their studies. By the time students acquire their degree many have already established contacts in the field and have secured employment.
In today’s world, society is seeing a shift in the way resources are managed. As technology and accessibility of information become more prominent there are certain voids that must be filled with those looking to take the challenge. Energy Technologies is a field that not only our country, but the global community will come to depend on more and more as time progresses. Those looking to change the way society manages its resources are encouraged to look into the program.