For more information, contact Darcy Wedel, 620-792-9336.

 October 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke

 Do you want to catch a glimpse into future transportation technologies today? Barton Community College is providing that opportunity to the public when its Automotive Technology Program hosts National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Oct. 15.

“It’s all about alternative fuels,” said Darcy Wedel, coordinator of Barton’s Auto Tech program. “When we think about alternative fuels, we right away might think of ethanol or biodiesel, but we’re also talking about electric cars, hybrids, natural gas and wind energy.”

The public is invited to the AFV Day event set from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Barton’s newly renovated automotive shop area. Everyone can come and go during the event with opportunities to participate in short seminars and take a look at vehicle displays.

The day is focused on energy independence. The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium started AFV Day as a biennial event dedicated to promoting cleaner choices in transportation. The day supports the alternative fuel vehicle industry and brings to public awareness the need for easing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“We’re spending too much of our hard-earned money overseas for energy,” Wedel said. “If we can educate the public on the benefits of alternative fuel, then we can become energy independent and keep our money in the United States and not spend it overseas.”

Wedel said he’s not singling out any one alternative fuel above the rest. “They’re all good and we need every one of them here in the U.S. to become energy independent,” he said. Experts in various alternative fuels will be on hand during the day to talk about these products.

The Kansas Corn Commission will have an ethanol-fueled vehicle on display along with general information about ethanol and the making of this fuel from corn. Other businesses presenting mini-seminars and displays include EV-Blue of Walton, Kan., which takes regular cars and converts them into electric vehicles; Kansas Ethanol Plant of Lyons; and MEG Corporation, consultant in biodiesel.

Also giving presentations will be the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association, talking about making hydrogen fuel from natural gas; West Wind Energy, presenting information on wind generation and how it can be used to charge electric vehicles; and Golden Belt Bicycle. Other sponsors of the event include Barton County Farm Bureau and Great Bend Coop.

In the center of the country, Kansas has potential for alternative fuels and energy distribution with wind power, Wedel said. “We’re in a great location economically speaking,” he continued. “We’re one of the top producers of soybeans and corn in the country, and obviously, we have lots of good wind. Kansas needs to get on board with alternative fuel. I think this is extremely important to everyone in Kansas for our well-being and for our economy.”

Barton has its own hybrid car to display. Two years ago, local businessman Al Yost donated a new hybrid Toyota Camry to Barton’s Auto Tech Program. “Automotive is very hands-on,” Wedel said. “Having a vehicle that can show students how the hybrid works, and even give the students a road test, is great for our program.”Also in 2008, Barton’s Auto Tech Program received a technology grant, which allowed the program to purchase a chassis dynamometer. This equipment can give the students a virtual road test, Wedel said. “This is an awesome piece of equipment. It’s like a treadmill for your car. What makes it so unique is we can take the entire class on a road test.”

Wedel explained the dynamometer allows Barton’s instructors to safely operate a vehicle with all the students around and with all of the test equipment hooked up so the results can be projected on a big screen.

“It’s safe and it really does mimic the way a car would behave on the road,” he said. “It takes into account aerodynamic drag, vehicle speed, showing the faster you go, the more load it puts on the drive wheels. It can stimulate going up hills in all types of conditions. There is nothing we can’t duplicate in the shop that we could do on the road.”

Barton AFV Day story continued in left column

Grain Fed Autos – The Kansas Corn Commission brought a flex-fuel vehicle to Barton’s AFV Day two years ago. The automobile operates on E-85 ethanol, which utilizes corn for fuel production. Next to the car is a pickup that runs off of biodiesel, produced primarily with soybeans.



Hands-on Learning – St. John students sit in an electric vehicle that was on display at Barton’s AFV Day two years ago. Many of the area schools brought students to the College’s first event to see the alternative fuels displays.

Interview with Barton Automotive Technology Instructors Darcy Wedel and Ron Kirmer - Aug. 27, 2010.

Click to view interview on Barton's YouTube Channel

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Barton AFV Day Jump

In August, Barton’s updated automotive shop was one of the areas showcased in the College’s Renovation Celebration. With an enrollment of 70-plus students in Barton’s Auto Tech Program this fall, the renovation has come at the right time for accommodating a growing program. The facility was nearly doubled in size. Celebrating AFV Day will give the public a chance to see Barton’s newly updated Auto Tech facility.

“The added space has been tremendous. We have room to spread out and we have two classrooms, so two instructors don’t have to share one,” Wedel said. “We can make a smooth transition from classroom to shop and go back and forth if we need to. It makes us more efficient in our delivery, that’s for sure.”

The AFV Day event also gives Barton’s Auto Tech Program a chance to demonstrate all aspects of alternative fuels and to dispel some myths about them.

“This is not just stuff someone dreamed up. It is current technology,” Wedel said. Biodiesel, for example, is an excellent lubricant. Taking sulphur out of a fuel by putting in a blend of 20 percent biodiesel puts the lubricity back into the fuel, he explained.

“If you’re a farmer with a tractor or combine, and you want to learn if this type of fuel is safe to use, by all means come out and participate and become educated,” he said.

This is Barton’s second year to celebrate AFV Day, which comes around every two years. Barton’s first AFV Day event took place in 2008. The College is one of 86 locations in the country this year set to host an AFV Day event and Barton is the only location in Kansas taking part in the celebration.

Wedel said Barton is in an ideal location for an AFV event. “Right here in the heart of Kansas where agriculture is big, obviously we’re very interested in ethanol, soybean fuel, biodiesel,” he said. “At Barton, we have the first college courses taught with electric and hybrid vehicles.

“AFV Day fits in with what we’re trying to do here, working with business and industry to learn about alternative fuels.”