Dr. Schatz stipulated these funds be used for the advancement of hydrogen and renewable energy.
SERC Director Peter Lehman was pleased with the Foundation’s decision. “Having a new, larger facility will give us the space we need and help us get more students involved in our work,” said Lehman. “We’ll be better equipped to carry out our mission to develop hydrogen, solar, and other clean energy technologies.”
The new facility will be built on a hillside site just west of the new Behavioral and Social Sciences building. The building will house laboratory space, a machine shop, faculty and staff offices, and a library/conference room in approximately 4,000 net square feet. A preliminary geologic study and site survey have already taken place, and SERC expects to break ground on the project by summer 2008. The building will be ready for occupancy by fall 2009, when SERC will vacate its present home in the former University Annex.
The Schatz Energy Research Center is affiliated with the Environmental Resources Engineering Department at HSU. The mission of SERC is to promote the use of clean and renewable energy in our society. SERC meets its mission by performing research and developing new technology; designing, building, operating, and demonstrating clean and renewable energy systems; providing training for professionals; and educating the public about a sustainable energy future. SERC’s affiliation with the ERE program provides a rare opportunity for undergraduate and graduate engineering students to acquire hands-on experience with cutting-edge energy technologies.