The 2005 Greening UM Award

The UM Sustainable Campus Committee presented the 2005 Greening UM Award to Paul Williamson for his visionary leadership as the Dean of the UM College of Technology. With UM’s energy costs rising 89% in the last year, it is highly appropriate that the SCC chose to recognize a man who is looking at other ways to power the campus, as well as the community.   He is the architect of the Montana Futures Project (described below), which plans to build the first hydrogen-powered campus in the world here in Missoula.

Montana Futures Project

Goals
To establish a H2 Futures Park at The University of Montana
To establish statewide hydrogen production and distribution capabilities
To leverage hydrogen investments that create new hydrogen products, businesses and jobs
To use hydrogen-generated resources that enhance Montana's infrastructure growth

Progress

• UM-MCOT obtained a $750,000 grant to begin planning a proposed Sustainable Campus/ Hydrogen Future Park which is envisioned to be the first campus powered by hydrogen from renewable energy sources. UM-MCOT also moved ahead with development of an Alternative Energy Learning Center, acquiring a 10 kw wind turbine, solar voltaics, and a fuel cell. Plans for this student-accessible lab include acquisition of an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage & fueling station, & micro-turbines.
• UM-COT has also developed an alternative energy curriculum and will be offering a degree in alternative energy technology.

Quotes from Dean Williamson:

• Montana is poised to become a leader in the production of hydrogen energy and technologies, creating jobs and revenues while developing an environmentally friendly source of power. Hydrogen is the fuel of the very near future, and hydrogen-related research, development and planning is under way in other states and countries.
• Montana is uniquely situated at a critical point in time to become a key hydrogen energy producer. No other state has all the natural resources needed to meet the hydrogen challenge. We have a great opportunity to be a leader in the hydrogen revolution.
• A statewide network of businesses that produce hydrogen and hydrogen-related products ranging from fuel cells to appliances could draw clean, high-tech industry and associated high-paying jobs to the state, while creating value-added potential for Montana’s natural resources.
• Hydrogen-powered schools have the potential to put Montana’s education budget back in the black. Hydrogen’s ability to harness solar and wind power could even save family farms. Indeed, many experts see hydrogen as the bridge that will help the world transition from nonrenewable to renewable sources of energy.