WHAT WE DO:
Are you passionate about renewable energy, innovative technologies, and making a positive impact on the world? Look no further than GTEC! The Georgia Tech Energy Club welcomes individuals from all majors, skill sets, and academic-levels to contribute to various sections of the club.
Our main event are weekly Energy Chats where an invited speaker will present on an area of their work in the energy landscape. We try to bring events that will present an energy topic that touches the technology, economics, and policy.
In the spring we host the Southeastern Energy Conference where we have several invited speakers and panel sessions and a poster session and more.
We have a team participating in the DOE Solar District Cup and an ongoing project in collaboration with GTRI. We’re always looking to grow and offer more opportunities for our members. Let us know your ideas or participate in any activities we already offer.
WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN:
The Energy Club will teach you the complex interactions in the energy landscape: technology, economics, and policy. You will be better prepared to energy the industry and have a more holistic perspective of this crucial infrastructure.
We would love it if you joined the club and participated in any way you’re interested in. We are always looking to grow and if you have an idea for an event, topic, project, etc. that you want to do as part of the club, we have the ability to sponsor your ideas.
JOIN THE CLUB
The best way to follow all Energy Club events is to signup for our newsletter.
- Other links:
- Engage
For all other inquiries about the club, contact our club President, Luke Matheny.
ONGOING PROJECTS
Collapsible Solar Panel Array
What is the solar panel project?
We are building a portable solar panel array to use as a demo unit for the Energy Club. The goal is to showcase the array on Tech Green or similar places for demonstrating the capabilities of solar panels as well as the club’s engineering abilities. The array will be powering an external device such as a TV or motor.
What have we already built?
We have a hand truck with wooden boards connected to it, each supporting one half of the array of four panels. Each panel is 100W. The array is collapsible and mechanically sound, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
What will we be doing this semester?
The mechanical/structural subteam will be building parts to stabilize the panels when collapsed and redesigning the stakes that support the unfolded array. The electronics subteam will assemble the parts necessary to convert the solar power into usable power for the load, which the team will decide on.
Stationary Bike Energy Station
What is the stationary bike project?
This project began in Spring 2023 in the Energy Club. We are building a desk for students to work at that doubles as a stationary bike. It will use a battery and power electronics to charge devices directly from the bike, and the final design will incorporate a secondary load for showing off the project when the battery is full and no device is being charged.
What have we already built?
We have a functioning pedal-driven alternator and are in the process of building a mechanical structure to house the electronics. We are testing our battery and working on gathering information from the battery/alternator to show relevant information on a display in the desk.
What will we be doing this school year?
The electronics team will test components on our existing alternator/battery, and the mechanical/structural team will create a new structure with better components. Through the Fall semester, the electronics team will be designing a PCB to incorporate into the desk, and the mechanical team will be designing an encasing for those components (including a bunch of plexiglas so people can see inside!)
Where will the bike go?
The Energy Club officers are working on finding a building on campus to place the bike in, and hope to have a solidified choice by the end of the Fall semester.
Solar District Cup
This hands-on project by NREL challenges a team of students to create a clean energy plan for a college campus, including a design for solar arrays and energy storage. The team also does financial and environmental legal analysis. Members of this project get to collaborate with like-minded individuals, gain invaluable experience, and take their passions to new heights.
GT Interactive Piezoelectric Sidewalk
The Energy Club is working with Georgia Tech to design a piezoelectric sidewalk installation to display on campus later this year. If you’re interested in participating on the team, an interest form is available here.
As a part of the team, tasks you may be involved in include:
- Design of the tile and its electronics, including circuit board design and integration with solar panels, batteries, the piezoelectric elements, etc.
- Programming of the tile’s electronics
- Fundraising for the project
- Engagement with campus administration such as GT Facilities