Chevron Donates Turbine Generators To UL Lafayette Mechanical Engineering

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The Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette can now claim ownership of two micro turbine generator sets thanks to Chevron.

The two Capstone brand micro turbines were donated to the department in the College of Engineering late last month. One of the turbines is a 30 kW unit while the other is a 60 kW unit.

Both are expected to help the department and college become leaders in the alternative energy area. The donation enhances the department’s capabilities and complements previous donations and equipment purchases for studying alternative energy sources.

“ We believe that these two turbines will be a significant asset to the Mechanical Engineering Department, both in terms of research and teaching,” said Dr. Terry Chambers, interim department head. “This donation complements the earlier donation of a very large (1 MW) turbine generator set from Solar Turbines, the donation of a solar vehicle from British Petroleum, and purchases of other research equipment for studying wind and fuel cell power generation as well.

“ These turbines will be especially useful because they are of a size that will allow them to be used as a cost-effective teaching/research platform for distributed generation and investigations of alternative fuels, including Bio-diesel, Biogas (landfill, wastewater treatment centers, anaerobic), Low or High Pressure Natural Gas, Flare gas, Propane and Kerosene,” he continued.

Chevron is a consistent supporter of UL Lafayette’s College of Engineering.