Hagerstown Community College will host the Go Green, Save Green Expo on Sat., Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Valley Mall in Hagerstown.
The Go Green, Save Green Expo is an educational forum that will feature several energy-efficient, renewable energy, and recycling businesses from the tri-state area. Businesses will have the opportunity to give two 15-minute presentations on their products, with a special emphasis on the cost-saving benefits of alternative energy technology. HCC’s Alternative Energy Technology (AET) Program will also be featured.
This event is free and is open to the public. For more information, contact Sherry Donovan at 301-790-2800, ext. 658, or email skdonovan@hagerstowncc.edu.
Hagerstown Community College announced that Zebulon Hull, of Hancock, is the first student in HCC’s Alternative Energy Technology (AET) Program to intern at a renewable energy company.
Although he had taken classes previously at the college, Hull, 27, decided to enroll full-time in fall 2010 once he learned of HCC’s new AET program, which was launched the same year. According to Hull, he became interested in alternative energy sources after high school as he learned more about the rising costs of energy and the negative impact that fossil fuels have on the environment.
“I was hit hard by the recession and the internship as a whole has opened my eyes to the reality that people are serious about utilizing alternative energy and that jobs in the field really do exist,” says Hull.
During his internship at Millennium 3 Energy, an energy company that specializes in solar photovoltaic (PV) system design and installation, Hull was able to gain first-hand experience with the installation of solar PV systems when he worked with the company on a variety of solar installation projects including the addition of a 100.8 kilowatt system on a building at Sharrett Auto Mall in Hagerstown and the installation of 52.17 kilowatt system on a milking barn in Boonsboro. For the Sharrett project, Hull worked with solar technicians and electricians to install 429 solar panels on the import garage building, which will produce over 120,000 kilowatt hours per year. The system is expected to last for more than 25 years and will pay for itself in four years time.
“My internship began with the Sharrett project right here in Hagerstown,” says Hull. "The fact that a local business has the foresight to invest in this technology and implement a change in how its energy needs are met is refreshing. Hopefully, other area businesses will follow Sharrett's example in taking steps to initiate energy independence and the financial benefits ensuant with it."
“It’s exciting to see our first alternative energy intern performing so well with Millennium 3 Energy,” says Anthony Valente, lead instructor of HCC’s alternative energy program. “These internships provide students with real-world experience and a sense of accomplishment, while at the same time providing part-time workers with skills that would have otherwise taken years to master if only learned on the job.”
“As a young company in a growth industry, it's a great help to me that HCC has the alternative energy program,” says Phil Kelly, owner, Millennium 3 Energy. “My first, and probably not last, intern from the program, Zebulon Hull, came to me with excellent knowledge of solar PV systems, and he was productive immediately on the job. While solar PV is not widespread in our region yet, it will be one day, and knowledgeable workers will be needed to support it. Most of those workers will probably come from HCC's AET program.”
To learn more about Millennium 3 Energy, go to www.m3-energy.com. For more information about HCC’s Alternative Energy Technology Program, go to www.hagerstowncc.edu/energy.
Officials at Hagerstown Community College have reached a written understanding with Maryland Solar to incorporate the development, construction, and operation of the proposed Washington County-based 20 megawatt solar farm, into the college’s alternative energy technology curriculum.
“Being involved with a project of this scope allows HCC students to be exposed to the real-world implementation of an alternative energy system at a level beyond the typical residential and commercial application,” said Tony Valente, HCC’s lead instructor of alternative energy technology. “Site visits and videotaping of the installation, along with the ongoing data collection from the system’s operation, will be extremely valuable to HCC’s alternative energy curriculum.”
“I’m excited about the leadership that HCC is showing in the areas of technology, not only for our community, but for our state,” said Del. Andrew Serafini. “In STEM programs, such as solar, biotech, and cybersecurity, Dr. Altieri and the HCC staff are leading the way and I am fully committed to working with them as they move forward with these projects.”
This proposed system will require advanced instrumentation and monitoring of its daily production, which can be easily incorporated into the STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Building that is currently under construction on the HCC campus. The 65,000 square-foot STEM Building is scheduled to open in January of 2012 and will offer the most current technology to support HCC’s math and science programs, including alternative energy technology, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. Space will be designated in the STEM Building to house the monitoring and data collection equipment for the solar farm, for use by HCC faculty and students.
“This project is significant, not only to HCC and its students, but to regional economic development as well,” said HCC President Guy Altieri. “Washington County is ideally positioned to be a leader in renewable energy and this partnership illustrates the importance of HCC’s alternative energy technology program.”
Maryland Solar LLC, an Easton-based energy company, has proposed building the 20 MW solar farm on leased state land surrounding the Maryland Correctional Institution, just south of Hagerstown. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2011 with the commercial operation to begin in late 2012. The project would employ approximately 125 workers in the course of the one-year build out and would double the amount of solar power currently on the Maryland grid. It would be the largest solar facility in the state and one of the largest on the East Coast.
Come out and learn about HCC's new Alternative Energy Technology Program at the open house on Thurs., Dec. 9. The open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Center. Learn about solar, wind, and geothermal technologies. HCC industrial and energy technology instructor Tony Valente will give a demonstration at 12 noon.
The first 100 students will receive a free walking taco. Raffle prizes will be awarded every 15 minutes.
For more information, contact Sherry Donovan at skdonovan@hagerstowncc.edu or call 301-790-2800, ext. 658.
Hagerstown Community College’s Technology and Computer Studies Division will offer a new three-credit course this spring entitled “Introduction to Alternative Energy” as part of its brand new Alternative Energy Technology Program.
The course will introduce students to the various types of alternative and renewable energy available in today’s global market. Students will learn the basics about different types of energy, such as solar, wind, bio fuel, solar thermal, geothermal, magnetism, pressure, and mechanical energy. The course will also incorporate hands-on labs including a miniature wind-turbine operation, solar energy collection, and hydro-fuel vehicle operation.
“Introduction to Alternative Energy” will be offered on Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., as well as on Wednesdays, from 2:30 to 5:15 p.m., beginning in the spring 2010 semester. Students may take either session.
HCC’s Alternative Energy Technology Program is designed to prepare students for entry into the rapidly growing field of renewable solar, wind, and geothermal energy technologies. HCC now offers various certificates in solar, wind, and geothermal energy technology, as well as an A.A.S. degree in alternative energy.
For more information about the Alternative Energy Technology Program, contact Anthony Valente, HCC instructor, industrial and energy technology, at 301-790-2800, ext. 581, or via e-mail at
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As part of the new Alternative Energy Technology program at Hagerstown Community College, several two-hour, non-credit introductory sessions will be offered in October and November. These sessions are designed to provide more information to those interested in careers in alternative energy technology or others who want to learn about the technology for their own use.
Introduction to Alternative Energy for Electricians will be offered on Sat., Oct. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. This course is designed to help participants gain a basic understanding of the relationship between traditional electrical circuits design and the design used in alternative energy systems such as wind turbines or photovoltaic. It will be held in room 213 of the Advanced Technology Center on the HCC campus.
Alternative Energy by the Numbers will be offered on Sat., Oct. 30, from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants will learn how to use simple steps to calculate the amount of energy consumed in a residence on a monthly and yearly basis. The emphasis is on preparing participants to consider a career in the alternative energy field. It will be held in room 213 of the Advanced Technology Center on the HCC campus.
Introduction to Geothermal Technology for HVAC Technicians will be offered on Sat., Nov. 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. Through this course, participants will learn to use their current knowledge of HVAC to better understand the application of geothermal heat pump systems for heating and cooling. It will be held in room 142 of the Career Programs Building.
The ABCs of Alternative Energy will be offered on Sat., Nov. 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. Renewable and alternative energy are options available now for homes and businesses. Participants will discover the latest trends in solar, wind, and geothermal energy that can benefit residential and commercial buildings. It will be held in room 213 of the Advanced Technology Center on the HCC campus.
The fee for each course is $20, with a $5 registration fee. To register or learn more, contact HCC at 301-790-2800, ext. 236.
A new associate degree and two certificates in Alternative Energy Technology at Hagerstown Community College have been approved by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and received statewide designation for Maryland public community colleges, which allows out-of-county students to pay in-county tuition rates for these programs.
HCC offers an associate of applied science degree in Alternative Energy Technology and related certificates in Geothermal Energy Installation/Service and Solar/Wind Energy Installation/Service. The goal of these programs is to prepare students to enter industrial, commercial, and residential settings in the growing areas of renewable energy (solar, wind, and geothermal) technologies.
HCC is also offering non-credit two-hour information sessions in alternative energy technology. These include Introduction to Alternative Energy for Electricians on October 23, from 9-11 a.m.; Alternative Energy by the Numbers on October 30, from 9 to 11 a.m.; Introduction to Geothermal Technology for HVAC Technicians on November 6, from 9 to 11 a.m.; and The ABCs of Alternative Energy on November 13, from 9 to 11 a.m.
The Industrial Technology degree and certificate and Facilities Maintenance Technology certificate at HCC have also been designated as statewide programs, giving out-of-county students the same opportunity to pay in-county tuition rates for these programs.
For more information on these programs, contact Tony Valente, instructor of industrial technology and energy, at arvalente@hagerstowncc.edu, or 301-790-2800, ext. 581.
Hagerstown Community College was recently accepted into the Maryland Green Registry. The Maryland Green Registry is a voluntary, self-certification program that provides resources to aid organizations in adopting green practices to better protect the environment.
HCC was accepted into the Maryland Green Registry based on the following categories: management and leadership, waste disposal, energy use, renewable energy initiatives, and water management. HCC currently recycles paper, glass, plastic and cardboard and contracts with Daycon, Inc. to purchase green cleaning products and custodial supplies, as well as Green Seal training for employees.
In terms of energy usage, HCC operates a central heating and cooling plant that houses two large boilers, as well as two large chillers. A new variable, speed drive was recently installed to reduce energy costs and has saved more than $30,000 to date.
In terms of water conservation, HCC included six bio-retention ponds into the design and construction of the Career Programs Building, which was renovated in 2008. The ponds are specifically designed to absorb water flow from parking lots and roof drains, allowing water to drain slowly into the main culvert.
Future buildings constructed on HCC’s campus will be designed using the latest environmentally friendly standards currently available in the construction industry. In particular, HCC’s new STEM building (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) has been designed to include a green roof, solar panels, and a wind turbine, and will also house cisterns to collect rain water runoff. Construction on HCC’s new STEM building is expected to start in spring 2010.
On Aug. 2, U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) visited the campus of Hagerstown Community College to present a ceremonial check for $1.8 million as part of a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support HCC’s alternative energy technology program.
“This funding will allow us to greatly expand our alternative energy program,” said HCC President Guy Altieri. “During the next three years, we anticipate that through credit and non-credit courses in this area, we will be able to train 675 students, who will be able to take these skills and get good jobs in this growing industry.”
HCC received the money as part of a the U.S. Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training grant to expand training in clean energy technology. HCC’s credit-based program includes an associate degree in alternative energy technology as well as certificates in solar/wind energy and geothermal energy. Non-credit courses will also be offered as a way to allow students to explore areas in this field or add to their existing job skills.
“Jobs are the key to our economic recovery and this job training grant for the U.S. Department of Labor will make it easier for residents of Washington County to obtain the training they need to get jobs in new and emerging industries,” said Senator Cardin.
For more information on HCC’s alternative energy technology program, contact Tony Valente, lead instructor, at 301-790-2800, ext. 581, or via e-mail at arvalente@hagerstowncc.edu.
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