Colin Reagle, assistant professor of mechanical engineering is the University Libraries' Fenwick Fellow for the 2014-15 academic year. His project, "The role of renewables in George Mason University's future energy portfolio," will examine the hurdles Mason faces in reaching the 15 percent statewide goal for renewable energy utilization before 2025 and exceeding the state minimum beyond 2025. The study aims to explore different options available to Mason and provide a roadmap for other regional institutions to diversify their energy portfolio in a responsible manner.
Reagle is the sole recipient of the award but received help from Assistant Head, Fenwick Library Research Department and Liaison Librarian to Volgenau School of Engineering, Theresa Calcagno in identifying current and potential library resources for the project. University Sustainability Director Margaret Lo, Mason Sustainability Studies Fellow Andrew Wingfield, and Engineering Planner/Campus Planner Erik Backus all helped with advice, discussion, and inspiration for the proposal.
"I would like this to be part of my contribution to the Mason community," says Reagle. "I'm very interested in small and medium scale renewable energy and would like to pursue further research in these topics in parallel to this project."
Reagle's Mechanical Engineering Design class spent half of the 2014 spring semester designing a methane digester for use in conjunction with the university's Southside dining hall. During summer and into the fall of 2014, he will be working with undergraduate researchers to develop a prototype to process on campus food waste to generate biogas and fertilizer.
"We hope both will be utilized by the campus greenhouse being constructed in President's Park," says Reagle.
