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Volume 8, Number 4
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A $1 million retrofit renovated ap-
proximately 5,500 square feet of the
Technical Education Center (M-TEC)
to support coursework in the new tech-
nologies. The renovation includes three
geothermal fields and a solar array. For
the first time in 10 years, all HRA pro-
grams are housed in the same building.
The solar array will partially provide
heat for the center’s boiler system as
well as training for students. The fully
functioning geothermal field will give
students a hands-on lab experience in
the technology. Students will be able
to use computerized sensors to research
and analyze efficiency of the systems
under a variety of conditions.
Mark Todd, HRA instructor with 30
years’ experience as an HVACR me-
chanical contractor, anticipates the pro-
gram will make MMCC a leader in the
growing geo-technology field. “There
are very few programs across the coun-
try that take a close look at the function-
ality of alternative energy systems from
a research perspective. We will be able
to do new research into cutting edge
ideas and research on our own ideas –
something that is not common in com-
munity colleges.”