UNC's Cogeneration Facility is looking to fill a nine month fellowship position to help them investigating the use of renewable fuels.
The UNC Institute for the Environment is partnering with multiple departments and professional schools across campus to bring undergraduate and graduate students an energy internship program, Developing Energy Leaders Through Action (DELTA), to promote the development of a skilled workforce of trained professionals in energy fields. DELTA is made possible through federal ARRA funding, which has been administered to the UNC Institute for the Environment through the North Carolina State Energy Office, and by the support of UNC student led Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RESPC). Because this position is full-time, recent UNC graduates are encouraged to apply. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
To apply, please send your cover letter, resume, two professional references (contact information only) and unofficial transcript to Kelly Robinson at krobin@email.unc.edu. Complete applications considered on a rolling basis. Please also direct questions concerning these positions to the same address.
The University’s Cogeneration Facility on West Cameron is the major steam generation source and the only facility to produce both steam and electricity. Well over 95 percent of the fuel burned at this facility is coal. As part of the University’s commitment to become climate neutral, the University is considering renewable energy options at the Cogeneration Facility by investigating renewable fuels to burn in its existing boilers. One of the Chancellor’s energy task force recommendations requires that the biomass be from certified sustainably managed forests. Another recommendation encourages life cycle analyses of alternative fuels. Energy Services believes these tasks require a significant effort that could best be accomplished by a nine month fellowship. The work of this fellowship would contribute to both a biofuel feasibility study to decrease the use of coal fuel on campus, as well as a long term energy plan to reduce the University’s coal consumption and its carbon footprint.
The fellow will perform the following tasks:
- Investigate sustainably harvested certification organizations and criteria. Develop criteria that could be used in the University’s procurement of biomass fuel. It is anticipated that this task will work closely with the Forestry Department at NC State University.
- Identify costs, advantages and impediments to implementation of a sustainable harvest of woody biomass for fuel.
- Investigate the availability, both current and potential, of sustainably harvested biomass in the region.
- Perform life cycle analyses of alternative fuels, including dried wood pellets and torrified wood, identifying as much as practical “Cradle to grave” carbon footprints. As a point of reference, a life cycle analysis of coal from Central Appalachia should be performed. (Assistance from University’s carbon advisor and Greenhouse Gas Specialist to be made available.)
- Intern will work 40 hours per week as an 8-9 month fellow. Salary range: $12-18/hr. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8 am-5 pm.
