Strategic implications of wind power

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P. Kratochvil

Students from RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology will host, and take part in, a debate about the viability of wind power as a strategic energy resource for the United States at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11 in the Bamboo Room of the Campus Life Center.

The debate is titled, “A Student Case Analysis on Public Policy and Wind Energy Power Systems” and is in response to a 2008 Department of Energy report “20 Percent Wind Energy by 2030.” The report was a collaborative effort to explore a modeled energy scenario in which wind provides 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030 leading to a more diversified energy portfolio.

“Our students will take the roles of the different stakeholders representing consumers, utility companies, wind energy firms, traditional energy sources associations, environmental groups and the Obama administration,” says Larry Villasmil, assistant professor in CAST’s manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology department, who is coordinating the event with Ron Hira, associate professor of public policy in RIT’s College of Liberal Arts. “The students will debate what the role of government should be, the strategic implications and the feasibility of accomplishing the 20 percent wind energy capacity by 2030 scenario and what it would mean for the future of our nation.”

The event is free and open to students, faculty and staff. Contact Villasmil for more information at larry.villasmil@rit.edu or by calling 475-5304.