National Grid gives $350,000 to Clarkson

POTSDAM — National Grid made an investment in the north country's energy future Monday.

The utility donated $350,000 to Clarkson University for the college to establish an endowment for its brightest students to study sustainability.

"Sustainable energy is a field with a bright, bright future, and this will be the generation that provides the solutions for generations to come," said Thomas King, president of National Grid US. "A clean, low-carbon energy future is on the verge, and educational institutions such as Clarkson will be instrumental in working toward that future."

Clarkson admits 30 students per class into its Honors Program each year, for a total of 120 undergraduates throughout the university. The National Grid Endowed Fund for Student Research Opportunities in Sustainable Energy will provide stipends for up to five honors students interested in conducting energy studies each summer.

"This gives students the opportunity to work on problems that don't have any answers," said Kenneth D. Visser, director of Clarkson's Center for Sustainable Energy Systems. "It also demonstrates to them how National Grid focuses on this problem. It's not stuck in some ivory tower. It gives students the sense that these are real-world problems, with real world companies interested in investing in solutions."

Honors students also will be able to take part in a series of seminars and workshops about sustainable energy and participate in field trips and team activities, thanks to the endowment fund.

Haley H. Shen, associate director of Clarkson's honors program, said that sponsored summer research is especially beneficial for students because they get to immerse themselves in solving a problem, without the added worry of homework or a second job.

Honors students interested in sustainable energy have tackled research on a range of topics over the past two summers, including biomass, hydrogen fuel cells, wind turbines, energy efficiency, waste digesters and solar cells.

"Energy is probably the most important issue facing our society today; without energy, it really comes to a halt. It's important that we educate and prepare people to be part of the workforce of the future," university President Anthony G. Collins said. "No longer are we competing with the next city or the next county — we are competing globally. It is all within our reach."

Clarkson recently created a sustainable energy systems minor for engineering students. Honors program students also are leading the charge this semester in figuring out ways to make the Student Center currently under construction a carbon-neutral building.

"This support will enable some of our most promising students to perform cutting-edge research and acquire the skills necessary to contribute to a sustainable future for us all," said David M. Craig, director of the Honors Program.

Mr. Collins said that 45 energy-related companies recruit students on campus every year, and more than 300 Clarkson alumni have gone on to work for National Grid and the utilities it owns.

Mr. King said he hopes to continue to recruit Clarkson's aspiring energy experts, so he can also ensure a viable future for his industry.

"Clarkson has a rich history of educating engineers for the energy industry," Mr. King said. "For us to be successful as a utility in the long run, we need to make sure we have the talent inside. In the next 10-plus years, there is going to be significant retirement and we will have to replace those positions with a skilled workforce. So this is a perfect fit for us."