ICES of Indianapolis Holds "Green & Environmental" Technology Event

On October 17, 2008, the Indianapolis chapter of the Indiana Council of Engineering Societies (ICES) held a networking event to share some local initiatives to develop "Green & Environmental" initiatives in the state of Indiana.

The event hosted speakers from other local organizations who were asked to speak about "Green & Environmental" initiatives they were hosting. Among the organizations represented were the Hoosier Environmental Council (www.HECweb.org), Cummins, Inc. (of diesel engine notoriety), and the Indy Racing League.

The Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC)

According to a 2007 Forbes magazine report (click here for details), Indiana ranks as one of the nation's most toxic states - number 49 out of 50 - stating that Indiana suffers "from a mix of toxic waste, lots of pollution and consumption and no clear plans to do anything about it. Expect [Indiana] to remain that way."

As a seeming answer to this dilemma, on behalf of the Hoosier Environmental Council (www.HECweb.org), Executive Director Jesse Kharbanda spoke out on the sad state of Indiana's environmental affairs. Jesse spoke of his group's efforts to establish a Renewable Energy Standard (RES), and other activities dedicated toward public education on environmental policy and action.

Cummins, Inc.

Jim Trueblood provided a PowerPoint presentation on behalf of Cummins' heavy transport (HT) division, and their efforts to design and manufacture a more efficient and environmentally friendly diesel powered platform in the midst of an government regulation and rising pressure from environmental and renewable energy groups.

While Mr. Trueblood's presentation was very informative, his message was somewhat obfuscated by numerous unknown acronyms and technical terminology which many of the audience (even as engineers) was not familiar with. It seemed that his presentation was some kind of high level executive summary that he had prepared for a different venue, and hastily repurposed it for the ICES meeting.

All difficulties in communication aside, Mr. Trueblood's message was overall positive, and we may expect to see higher efficiency and reduced emissions in upcoming years for the nation's overland and long-haul highway trucks.

Indy Racing League

Les McTaggart showed himself as a very affable and down to earth representative of the Indy Racing League by not showing a PowerPoint presentation. Through candid (and often humorous) storytelling and animated gesticulation, McTaggart told the story of the League's recent progress in developing methane-powered engines as a replacement for the less friendly ethane propellant used previously.

Bridge to Engineering Scholarship Award

This year's Bridge to Engineering Scholarship recipient was given to Kevin Mueller, a 2009 civil engineering graduate of Purdue University.

Green Technology & Renewable Energy Exhibitors

Exhibitors to this event included abroad mix of companies and individuals representing green technology and renewable energy. Some of these companies include:

Stellar Wind Bio-Energy, LLC - a domestic producer of biofuels derived from micro-algae which consume waste carbon dioxide as a primary raw material of production.

Purdue University Energy Center - The Purdue University Energy Center at Discovery Park to see multidisciplinary academic community of over 115 researchers, scientists, engineers, political scientists, and economists.

Thanks to Dan Gallagher

For organization of this event, thanks goes to Dan Gallagher, who serves as Vice Chair and webmaster for the East Central Indiana section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Dan holds an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

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