Media Invitation - Centennial College introduces green energy electric-vehicle charging station on campus

TORONTO, Nov. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - Centennial College and its partners, Grasshopper Solar and Siemens Canada, will be snipping the ribbon on the college's new off-grid electric vehicle charging station at Progress Campus tomorrow. The station allows electric vehicles to recharge using energy harnessed from the wind and sun, rather than power from conventional sources on the electrical grid.

The installation began a few years ago as a demonstration site for the college's wind turbine and tracking solar panel technology, which were set up to allow students to become familiar with the equipment and monitor their condition and performance. The turbine and the solar panel generate electrical energy that is stored in a battery bank powering an artificial load.

Last year, Centennial faculty suggested the equipment could be put to good use by powering the electric cars that come on campus every day. Siemens Canada donated its Level 2 (240-volt) electric-vehicle charging station and Grasshopper provided the interface that connected the storage batteries to the charging system.

The initiative involved the college's engineering technology students, who helped to plan and assemble the station and monitor its performance daily. Centennial offers programs in Electrical Engineering Technician, Construction Maintenance Electrician and Energy Systems Technology.

The students, faculty, staff and guests of Centennial College will be gathering outdoors at the off-grid electric vehicle charging station in the Progress Campus north parking lot near Highway 401 at 12:15 pm tomorrow to inaugurate Centennial's newest green initiative. Members of the media are invited to come and speak with participants.

What:	Centennial College reps cut ribbon on a new off-grid electric vehicle charging station
Date:	Thursday, November 5
Time:	12:15 pm to 1 pm
Location:	Parking Lot #5, Progress Campus, Centennial College
	941 Progress Ave. (east of Markham Rd.), Scarborough

SOURCE Centennial College

Media contact: Mark Toljagic, Communications Officer, 416-289-5000, ext. 7142, mobile [phone]; [email protected]