University Affiliate Cultivates Pulp Paper Specialists with Energy Efficiency Focus

摘要

What role can you play in the development of the nation’s future workforce? Academicprograms are one tool in building regional infrastructure to achieve industrial targets; educatingand familiarizing students in the importance of energy efficiency (EE) and future jobopportunities. This paper will illustrate the benefits of one collaborative relationship thatdeveloped curriculum, established scholarship and internship programs; while, sharingachievements and lessons learned along the way.Since 2008, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has supported the WashingtonPulp and Paper Foundation (WPPF), an affiliate of the University of Washington, through grantmoney and facilitating student internships at pulp and paper (P&P) facilities. Grant fundingattracts top-qualified students to the P&P industry through scholarships, promoting thedevelopment and expansion and of education and research related to P&P science. Thecurriculum in the Bio-resource Science and Engineering department was modified to incorporateemerging technologies in the production of fuels, energy and chemicals, as well as P&P fromcellulosic materials. The curriculum supports graduates with strong technical and problemsolving skills with a greater understanding of sustainable business practices.The business reason to support the WPPF is based on BPA’s distribution utilities’ P&Pload equaling 5 percent and this industrial segment is important to the Pacific Northwesteconomy.