Chattanooga Engineers Club Newsletter

http://www.chattanoogaengineersclub.org/

NEXT MEETING ____________________

Monday August 16 – Dale Bradshaw – Consultant to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA)

“Smart Grid Developments”

A group of 20 electric co-operatives has begun a Smart Grid demonstration that touches 10 different states, and is supported by a $34M in federal stimulus funds.  Dale will describe this effort, which includes more than a dozen coordinated research projects that will deploy various Smart Grid technologies, test them and document the economic benefits to customers.  

Dale has a BS in Engineering Physics and an MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and an MBA in Finance from the University of Tennessee.  He retired from TVA in 2004 after 29 years of service, including Senior Manager of R&D for Transmission.

DUES INCREASE RECOMMENDED

The executive Committee met on July 13 and recommended that membership dues for Retired Members be increased from $30 to $40 per year. This action was taken to help compensate for Club expenditures that have exceeded income for the last two years.  Last year, we increased the 2010 dues of Full and Associate members from $50 to $60 per year. But additional funds are needed to overcome our deficit. This recommendation will be advertised for two weeks, and then voted on by members present at the regular meeting on August 16.

FUTURE MEETINGS ____________________

Monday August 23 – David Wade, Chief Operating Officer - Chattanooga Electric Power Board

“Chattanooga EPB’s Fiber Optic Network for Smart Grid Deployment”

David Wade will describe the fiber optic-based communication system that is being built as the backbone for the EPB’s Smart Grid.  He will also discuss the recently awarded $111.5 million in federal stimulus funding from the Department of Energy to expedite their Smart Grid implementation.

David Wade has more than 27 years of experience in the electrical industry ranging from hands-on construction to engineering.

Monday August 30 – Matt McKee - Komatsu Plant Tour, assemble at noon at plant entrance.  (Lunch arrangements are on your own.)

Komatsu is a world leader in building Construction and Mining equipment.  The Chattanooga plant focuses on assembly of Hydraulic excavators and a line of Forestry Machines.  The Chattanooga Komatsu operation also builds frames for the excavators, utilizing state of the art welding robots as well as CNC machining centers.  There are also computer controlled blasting machines and modern paint shops.

Steel-toed boots are required in the plant as well as safety glasses (these can be provided as needed).  We will be touring two building.  The main building consists of the manufacturing and assembly shops for the excavators.  The second smaller building is located at the end of the facility where the forestry equipment is built.  There are no stairs to climb, however the tour will take almost an hour, including walking through a stockyard between buildings.  (Wheelchair access is available.)

Monday September 6 – No Meeting in Observance of Labor Day

Monday September 13 – Dale Bradshaw – Consultant to NRECA

“Algae for CO₂ Capture”

PREVIOUS MEETING____________________

Monday August 9 – Leon Tolbert – Professor of Electrical Engineering, UT Knoxville

“Power Electronics for Hybrid Electric Vehicles”-

Dr. Leon Tolbert gave a broad overview of several research programs at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and UT Knoxville, then a more detailed look at research on power electronics for hybrid electric vehicles. He discussed progress toward DOE goals for increased efficiency as well as decreased weight, volume and costs for electric and hybrid vehicles.  (A copy of his presentation is available on request to rdboroughs@gmail.com)

Dr. Tolbert has a B.S, M.S., and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech.  He has been working with power electronics at ORNL since 1991 and at UT since 1999.

CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB — CORPORATE SPONSORS_____________

We gratefully acknowledge the corporate sponsorships listed below. 

2010 — Robbins & Bohr, LLC

2009 — Coca—Cola 

2008 — Alstom

2008 — Chattanooga State

MEETING LOGISTICS_______________________

The Chattanooga Engineer's Club meets at the DOUBLETREE HOTEL,
407 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, TN 37402.  Free parking may be available in the gated parking lot on the south side of the Hotel.  Plan to arrive before 11:30 a.m., if you intend to park in the limited space available.  Late arrivals may need to pay for parking on the street or in a nearby public parking garage.

QUESTIONS and SUGGESTIONS______________

If you have any questions, items that would be of interest to the Chattanooga Engineers Club, or suggestions for future programs, please contact Ralph Boroughs by e-mail at rdboroughs@gmail.com or by phone at 423-227-0412. You can find membership application forms, references to future programs, historical data, and other info at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org. To receive future meeting announcements by email, join the Chattanooga Technology Organization mailing list at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org/email.

Links to local engineering societies are available to you at: http://www.chattanoogaengineersclub.org/engineer/

For a calendar of local technology related events see: http://chatc.org/