Bradley Receives Nearly $1 Million for Renewable Energy Tech Lab

Bradley University is confirmed to receive $950,000 in federal funding through the Scientific and Technical Research and Services Program from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 

These funds will directly support the development of a cutting-edge laboratory designed to train engineering students to manage and understand electrification standards for reliable power production.

This new lab equipment will provide photovoltaic power production systems with battery backup; natural gas engines; and heat pump systems with variable speed compressors. These resources will allow Bradley University to train 32 students each year on modern strategies aimed at reducing dependence on fossil fuels in electrical power generation and use. The lab will be housed in the Business and Engineering Convergence Center on campus (BECC).

Funding provided for the laboratory and related equipment upgrades will enhance Bradley’s ability to provide a state-of-the-art, technology-rich learning environment that will better prepare students for success and serve as a workforce development pipeline to business and industry partners.

“Bradley University's vision is to be a leader in higher education nationally in promoting the use of sustainable energy on a college campus,” remarked University President Stephen Standifird. “As we prepare to train the next generation of engineers to help develop the technology to enhance renewable energy for America's future, we want to thank our dedicated lawmakers who have made this funding possible, especially Senator Dick Durbin. Senator Durbin is not only a champion for Bradley University, but for renewable energy development across the nation.”

“One of the challenges we will face in the future is maintaining a reliable energy supply,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) said. “The federal funding I have secured for Bradley University will help develop the standards necessary to ensure America maintains its safe and reliable power supply.”

This NIST appropriation compliments Bradley's recent announcement that the university will be subscribing to four Nexamp community solar farms located across central Illinois. Together the solar farms will generate almost 17.5 Megawatts of solar generating capacity for Bradley's campus and surrounding residents. This will result in approximately $115,000 in annual energy cost savings to the university.

–Libby Derry