College students develop biodiesel programs as part of Ecomagination Challenge

Here's a great idea: ask college students to develop new and creative ways to green their campus. General Electric and mtvU have combined to sponsor this unique competition. Of the 10 finalists, two schools are taking on biodiesel projects. MIT is looking at a solar-powered biodiesel processing and filling station while Vanderbilt wants to build a biodiesel production system that is obviously visible to help educate the public. You can view video presentations and fact pages from both schools on the the ecocollegechallenge Web site.
The Vanderbilt project is also designed to operate without electricity from the grid, noting that coal plants generate power to the university. On an interesting note, MIT's annual energy bill is $50 million. That alone should prompt alternative fuel research at the school. Some of the other top-10 finalist projects include holistic composting, solar-powered trash compactor and a human power plant. The winning team gets a $25,000 grant and exposure on mtvU.

[Source: ecocollegechallenge.com]

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