Major Activities
FSU Sustainable Energy Research Facility (SERF) Construction
Frostburg State University is building “Sustainable Energy Research Facility (SERF)” on campus. The project is co-directed by Oguz Soysal and Hilkat Soysal at Department of Physics and Engineering. SERF will accommodate the “FSU Renewable Energy Center” to conduct extended research, education, and community outreach programs on renewable energy applications developed by FSU faculty and their project partners. The facility will also serve as an example of self-sufficient off-grid building for individuals such as homeowners, farmers, or entrepreneurs who seek energy security in Western Maryland or similar geographic locations. SERF will be a residential type green building of approximately 6300 square feet usable area, supplied by renewable energy sources providing sustainable heating, cooling, and electric power.
In 2009, Frostburg State University has been awarded an additional funding from the U.S. Department of Energy for SERF equipment and staffing. This funding was obtained with the assistance of Maryland Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R-6th), who also helped secure the initial funding for the construction of the building, this money will make it possible to purchase research equipment and computer hardware and software, as well as to employ researchers and student assistants.
WIND & SOLAR ENERGY (WISE) WORKSHOP
FSU is offering workshops on "Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Residential PV and Wind Generation Systems". The workshop offered twice a year (spring and fall sessions) consists of eight week online instruction and three-day hands-on instruction and training. The hands-on training is held at FSU in Compton Science.
"WISE" - RESIDENTIAL WIND-SOLAR ENERGY DEMO SYSTEM
Frostburg State University developed a residential-scale demonstration system to generate electricity from solar and wind energy. The system enables study of the efficiency of solar and wind energy in Western Maryland. Wind and solar generation data has been collected and analyzed since September 2007. The project was sponsored by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to develop a knowledge base for community outreach programs and interdisciplinary courses taught at FSU.
EMP PROTECTED MODULES POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY
Instant Access Networks (IAN) staff and Frostburg State University physics and engineering faculty members are teaming—through a $165,000 project recently approved by the MHEC - Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program—to create renewable energy-powered, electromagnetic pulse (EMP)-protected micro grids that could provide electricity for critical infrastructure facilities in the event of a disaster.