Energy Island Provides Substantial Savings
Clemens Joins Give Back’ s Board
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Williamson Offers 2nd Power Course
“ Introduction to Large Thermal Power Generation Plants,” Williamson’ s second, 3-day, course that explained how energy is created and where it comes from through a combination of classroom instruction and the rare opportunity to tour five power plants, was held July 11-13 in the Strine Learning Center.
The continuing education course was designed for the general public and power industry professionals and focused on large, field-erected steam generators with a 500,000 to 4 million pounds per hour steam-generation rating. Plant tours included Williamson’ s Energy Island; Exelon Power’ s Eddystone Generating Station; Logan Generating Plant, a coal-fired power station in Swedesboro, N. J.; Liberty Power Station operated by Dynegy, in Eddystone; and Marcus Hook Energy Center. Williamson offered the course because it is known as“ Industry’ s Workforce Development Partner” and produces
The numerous recent additions to Williamson’ s Energy Island are saving substantial amounts of money on reduced energy bills, while providing students with expanded educational opportunities, said Scott Chilman, director of power plant technology.
“ The upgrades and improvements to our power plant are definitely helping reduce our electric bills,” he said.
Improvements include switching the fuel on both boilers to natural gas, installing economizers for better boiler efficiency, receiving an improved percentage on the condensate returns, and putting in LED lights and improved windows. The installation of the new steam condensing turbine later this school year will provide further savings.
Most recently, 372 solar panels were installed on the Restall Sports Center roof with the help of power plant technology students. They are now operating and providing substantial savings on electric bills. graduates who reach the top tier of energy and electric production companies in the U. S., said lead instructor Richard Storm, PE, 6W2, a trustee and senior consultant at Storm Technologies, Inc.
Storm said,“ The plants we visited were represented by well-qualified Williamson alumni who gave detailed tours and answered questions.
“ Only about one percent of Americans realize that over 90 percent of our daily energy comes from thermal energy— natural gas, nuclear, coal, and oil— and that renewable energy— the sun and wind— only provide 10 percent. So it was good to get this point across.”
Along with Storm, the other instructors were: Scott Chilman, Williamson’ s director of power plant technology; Kevin Hatch 0W8, shift supervisor, System Operations, at PJM Interconnection; Stacy Starr 6W8, a retired senior technical service engineer at Sunoco; and Tom Reilly 7W8, president, TJR Technical Services.
Energy Island Provides Substantial Savings
The panels can generate up to 92 kW of power and in a recent 2-week period, had an environmental impact of 11,065 miles not driven, 13 barrels of crude oil conserved, and 123 trees grown for ten years. Their effect on air quality was the avoidance of 11,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, 17 pounds of nitrogen oxides emissions, and 39 pounds of sulfur dioxide emissions.
Chilman said they now have the capacity to turn the inverters on and off and monitor the solar panel output over the internet. Each inverter is represented on a box in the control room with a light. A green light means they are operating efficiently and no light indicates they are turned off. He added that in addition to saving the school money, the panels are providing students with additional educational experiences.
Many of the upgrades were funded through a generous donation by Lee Rowan to the“ Building for the Future” capital campaign.
Scott Chilman, director of power plant technology, points to the box with lights that indicate the solar panels are operating efficiently.
Williamson’ s power plant was one of five power plants toured during the second annual course,“ Introduction to Large Thermal Power Generation Plants.”
Clemens Joins Give Back’ s Board
Williamson trustee Richard Clemens has joined the board of the Give Something Back Foundation( Give Back), announced Robert Carr, founder of Give Back.
Carr said,“ Dick brings a wealth of expertise to our board. We will benefit from his insights, judgment, and counsel, particularly as Give Back expands its community college partnerships. We look forward to his contributions.”
Clemens said,“ I received substantial scholarships while I attended college and law school. For many years, as a trustee and supporter of Williamson College and by establishing scholarships at the University of Virginia, I have worked to help students from lowincome families attend college. Give Back provides me a wonderful opportunity to continue this important work and I am delighted to be a member of their board.”
Since retiring as a senior partner in the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP, a major international law firm, Clemens has engaged in many charitable activities. He is a strong supporter of Williamson. He has been a trustee for over ten years, a generous donor for over 40 years, and lived at times on campus while attending college and law school when his father, James Clemens 3W4, was serving as president between 1954- 79. Last fall, he was instrumental in introducing Give Back to Williamson, leading to Carr presenting the school with $ 250,000 for 40 scholarships, a gift that Clemens matched.
Carr founded Give Back in 2003 to provide mentoring and scholarships to academically driven students of modest means who assume college is not an option. Pell Grant-eligible students are selected in ninth grade and mentored through high school. Upon graduation, Give Back scholars attend any partner university or college with the opportunity to graduate with no debt for tuition, fees, or room and board. Williamson was the first partner college in Pennsylvania.
Trustee Richard Clemens
To read more about Clemens joining Give Back’ s board, go to: www. giveback. ngo / meet-give-backs-newest-boardmember-richard-clemens /.
Martella Made Honorary Alumni Association Member
Carmen Martella, who passed away June 2, was made an honorary member of the Alumni Association at the Alumni Banquet on June 3. He was given the honor for his meritorious service to Williamson as director of machine tool technology for 31 years.