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Appropriate technology leads the greener way |
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Thursday, 17 April 2008 |
by LINDSAY DIEDRICH
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
The Appalachian State University Sustainable Energy Society, Renewable Energy Initiative, and Collaborative Bio-diesel project are a few of the programs appropriate technology majors can be found working on.
According to Appalachian State’s Appropriate Technology Web site, appropriate technology is “an approach to technological development, characterized by creative and sound engineering, that recognizes the social, environmental, political, economic, as well as, technical aspects of a proposed technological solution to a problem facing a society.”
 Photovoltaic cells on the roof of Katherine Harper Hall help provide power. All of the PV cells combined produce over 1400 watts. Photo by Holt Menzies |
The Web site also states that the technologies are often powered by renewable energy.
The
department has been around since the 1970s and currently has over 100
students enrolled, industrial technology major and president of
Appalachian State University Sustainable Energy Society Quint B. David
said.
Appropriate technology is focused on making new developments while using the least amount of resources.
Assistant professor Dr. Brian W. Raichle said the appropriate technology major focuses on finding
better solutions rather than just building something bigger.
The major focuses on energy conservation.
“Smaller scale solutions consume less energy, and have less of an environmental footprint,” Raichle
said.
Energy conservation is becoming imperative.
“A lot of evidence suggests that in the fairly short term, we will be experiencing shortages of energy,”
Raichle said. “It’s probably already started.”
Classes offered in the major include courses on resource consumption reduction such as green
building and sustainable resource management, as well as courses on renewable technology, Raichle
said.
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