Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 30, 1993 TAG: 9311300038
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Industrial Energy Center held its formal kickoff as Virginia Power presented Tech officials a $40,000 donation.
The center, headed by Tech engineering Professors William Mashburn and W.C. Thomas, will train students to conduct energy audits to help companies conserve energy by improving lighting, heating, air-conditioning and other systems.
"We hope to create a central point in Virginia where industries can receive help and information regarding their energy conservation needs," Mashburn said.
Initially, the center will work primarily with companies that are customers of Virginia Power. In Western Virginia, the Richmond-based utility sells electricity in portions of Alleghany, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt and Rockbridge counties.
"Right now, our resources are limited; we simply can't afford to help all the companies," Mashburn said.
The center also will work some with Radford's United Cities Gas Co., which donated $10,000 to the project.
Norris Chamberlain, director of energy efficiency for Virginia Power, said the center will complement the utility's efforts at promoting conservation.
Chamberlain said energy conservation is crucial if companies in Virginia are going to increase their profitability and remain competitive in the global marketplace.
Wayne Belvin, director of Virginia Power's industrial operation, said the Tech center will target small to medium-size companies that can't afford their own engineering staffs.
"We want to keep our customer base and hopefully enhance that" by bringing in new jobs and industry, he said.
Edmund Henneke, acting dean of the engineering school, said that while the school wants to help Virginia develop "an economic edge," the center's primary purpose is to better prepare students.
It hopes to secure $50,000 in matching funds from the state's Center for Innovative Technology that would enable it to expand its services to more companies.
by CNB