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| Upcoming Events |
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Energy Generation Conference Bismarck Civic Center
Bismarck, ND
January 27-29, 2009
February 8-11, 2009
Bismarck State College
National Energy Center of Excellence Bismarck, ND
June 4-6, 2009 |
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Interactive Tools |
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While technically WebLab is an interactive learning tool like the others used at BSC, it is significantly different in its operation to warrant its own category of learning tool. Even though BSC's development of online curriculum has evolved, the need for online student laboratory experiences was yet to be fulfilled. After all, how can students across the nation use the laboratory equipment on BSC's campus in North Dakota? WebLab was created to answer this question.
WebLab is a learning tool that allows online students to access and control laboratory equipment in remote locations by using the public Internet. By using standard process industry equipment, almost any laboratory can be refitted into a WebLab laboratory. Students will use the WebLab portal to access the laboratory, control the equipment, schedule laboratory time, and complete lessons, assignments, and even take examinations. Result data and student progress are reported to faculty as the students complete their laboratory work.
WebLab is a next-generation online instructional tool. While simulation is more than acceptable in most cases, WebLab brings not software models, but real equipment to students' fingertips anywhere in the world. The ultimate goal of BSC's interactive learning tools is to afford online students the same educational experiences of classroom students. WebLab brings BSC and our students one step closer to that goal.
For a course demonstration, please contact us at Joan.Kleven@bsc.nodak.edu.
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| Employee Spotlights |
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Jeffrey Fasset
Adjunct Instructor
Jeffrey Fasset, Adjunct Faculty for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management program, has an extensive background in the energy industry. He is the founder of IEM Energy Consultants, a consulting practice that specializes in all operational support of power plants, from engineering design through construction, startup and management.
After graduating from North Dakota State University in 1986 with a degree in mechanical engineering, Fasset went to work for Basin Electric and their company owned facilities. After moving to Houston, Fasset worked for Mobay Chemical and Destec Energy, followed by a transfer to Florida as a startup manager on a combined cycle power plant. After several promotions, Fasset founded his current company. Since founding IEM, he has worked with almost 100 clients worldwide. Most recently Fasset addressed an industry gathering in Birmingham, England, where he presented the keynote address to the 14th Industrial & Power Gas Turbine O&M conference.
Fasset and his wife Rhonda have two sons, Brent and Scott. He is a Sunday School teacher and is on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Chapter of March of Dimes.
Thanks for your service to BSC Jeffrey! |
| We Want You!
The National Energy Center of Excellence is looking for experienced people to share their knowledge with the next generation of energy employees. As growth of our programs continues, part-time and full time instructors are needed.
We offer courses in the following degree areas:
Energy Management
Electric Power Technology
Electrical Transmission Systems Technology
Power Plant Technology
Process Plant Technology
Nuclear Power Technology
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T. Boone Pickens Draws Large Crowd at Energy Expo & Showcase |
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 T. Boone Pickens & U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan at the Great Plains Energy Expo & Showcase
Texas oil and gas businessman T. Boone Pickens outlined his plan to wean the U.S. from its dependency on foreign oil imports at the second annual Great Plains Energy Expo & Showcase Nov. 10 at the Bismarck Civic Center. More than 1,000 people listened as Pickens used a white board to illustrate his discussion points.The Expo and Showcase is a key initiative of BSC's Great Plains Energy Corridor office.
Pickens was one of several keynote speakers at the two-day event, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan, the firm Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson, and Bismarck State College.
Pickens recently has been instrumental in developing very large-scale wind energy developments in Texas. His concern about the country's continued and increasing reliance on imported oil from foreign nations prompted him to put a great deal of effort and investment into a national campaign to convince our nation's leaders to aggressively seek a solution to this reliance issue. He said that he sees this continued reliance both as a threat to our national security and as a drain of our nation's financial resources. His "Pickens Plan" proposes that large-scale, wind-based electrical generation throughout the Great Plains can replace much of the current natural gas-based electrical generation, which would then free up that natural gas for use in transportation. For a detailed explanation see www.pickensplan.com.
Other keynote speakers included Sen. Dorgan; Dr. Thomas Hunter, Director of DOE's Sandia National Lab; Dr. Thom Mason, Director of DOE's Oak Ridge National Lab; Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change and Energy Initiatives for Google Inc.; and Jack Gerard, the recently named CEO and President of the American Petroleum Institute.
The Showcase included 33 displays from all sectors of the energy industry and 10 alternative fuel vehicles ranging from a hydrogen tractor, to electric bicycles and E85 flex fuel vehicles, to Basin Electric's plug-in hybrid SUV. Two popular displays were a full-size wind turbine blade from LM Glasfiber Inc. of Grand Forks, and Xcel Energy's Smart Grid trailer. The trailer featured a walk-through display of new electric grid technologies designed for more efficient delivery and end-use monitoring and control of electricity. A Smart Grid program is currently being deployed in Boulder, Colo. |
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Bismarck State College Online Student Honored by CAEL |
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(L to R: Richard 'Mert' Probasco - Entergy, Karla Sahl - Entergy, Kari Knudson - Bismarck State College, Jo Winger de Rondon - CAEL)
A six-year employee of Entergy Corp., who received a degree in Nuclear Power Technology from Bismarck State College, was recognized recently as the 2008 Learner of the Year by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL).
Karla Sahl, a waste technician/custodian at Entergy's Pilgrim Nuclear Station in Massachusetts, earned her Associate in Applied Science from BSC in less than two years. Sahl now has the job she wanted in plant operations and works as a non-licensed plant operator. She continues to study online to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Energy Management through BSC, the only college in the United State offering the four-year degree.
Sahl hoped to advance and was earning her fireman's license through Entergy, when an instructor told her about Entergy's affiliation with Energy Providers Coalition for Education (EPCE), a national coalition of energy providers connected to workforce training institutions such as BSC. She found an EPCE link on Entergy's Web site and signed up immediately.
Sahl's persistence and commitment to her educational goal was recognized by CAEL during its recent annual conference in Philadelphia. Helping honor Sahl was Kari Knudson, BSC vice president, Energy Technology Programs and director, National Energy Center of Excellence, home to BSC's energy and workforce training programs.
CAEL is a national, nonprofit organization that works to remove barriers to learning opportunities by helping institutions, companies, unions and government entities create tools and strategies for solutions.
Bismarck State College has worked with industry since 1976 to develop standardized courses in Power Plant Technology, Process Plant Technology, Electric Power Technology, Nuclear Power Technology, and Electrical Transmission Systems Technology. All programs are available online and used by 180 energy companies nationwide. In 2007, BSC was designated the National Power Plant Operations Technology and Education Center by U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman.
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| The National Energy Center of Excellence staff and faculty offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of James Conlon. James graduated from BSC's Energy Education programs in 2005 and was fatally injured in a car accident in North Lindenhurst, NY in November 2008. James was a volunteer for the United States Coast Guard and worked at National Grid in New York. | |
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