RIT Celebrates National Alternative Fuel Day

Rochester Institute of Technology will join organizations around the country in celebrating National Alternative Fuel Day Oct. 3. The effort seeks to enhance education surrounding sustainable development both on campus and in the broader community.

As part of the day’s events, the Golisano Institute for Sustainability will hold a green vehicle and alternative fuels research demonstration from 11:45 to 2 p.m. at Simone Circle in front of the Student Alumni Union.

The event is co-sponsored by Monroe County and the Genesee Region Clean Communities coalition and will include a green vehicle parade ending at the RIT campus. Here flex-fuel, fuel cell, hydrogen, biodiesel, hybrid-electric, and ethanol vehicles will be displayed and discussed. RIT researchers and students from the Golisano Institute will also be on hand to talk about their ongoing and future plans for research and development activities for alternative fuels and vehicles.

In addition, RIT’s student chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World will use a human-powered generator to demonstrate the difference in energy requirements between standard lighting and energy-efficient lighting. A bicycle and rider serve as the power source to generate energy for the light bulbs. The project means to prove that energy-efficient lighting requires less energy.

National Alternative Fuel Day is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy with the goal of enhancing the understanding of different forms of alternative energy and there uses in everyday society.

WHAT: Green Vehicle and Alternative Energy Research Demonstrations

WHO: Golisano Institute for Sustainability and Engineers for a Sustainable World

WHEN: 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3

WHERE: Student Alumni Union, Simone Circle, RIT Campus