LBCC’s Foundation Donates $150k for Dynomometer

Linn-Benton Community College’s Foundation donated $150,000 to the college’s Advanced Transportation Technology Center for purchase of a dynamometer to use in its new automotive training center.

The dynamometer diagnostic tool used in automotive service will be the only one of its kind between Vancouver, BC and San Francisco.

The new tool will allow LBCC students to perform some of the most advanced testing and diagnostics in the country, and to work with regional manufacturers to develop or improve a variety of components used by hybrid and electric vehicles.

 “The new dynomometer functions like most other all-wheel drive dyno's except that this one is specifically designed to enable quick development cycles for performing initial hybrid and electric vehicle calibrations, traction system monitoring, regenerative braking and limited traction conditions using road load and federal drive cycles, electric power system analysis, HEV/PHEV/EV controller development, efficiency testing, fuel consumption testing and other complete vehicle or sub system simulations,” said LBCC automotive faculty member Bryan Schiedler. “The next closest dyno with this capability is in Vancouver B.C.”

The college’s advanced transportation center will be the only major broad-spectrum training facility for alternative fuel vehicles between Seattle, Washington and San Francisco, California, and will serve as a first step toward creating a base for alternative fuel technology in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

“The Advanced Transportation Technology Center will open its doors for LBCC students starting fall term, and will be a real boost to the local economy,” said Dale Stowell, executive director of the LBCC Foundation. “The LBCC Foundation board felt this contribution was a great match for its mission to create opportunities for the people in our area, and ensures this key piece of equipment will be ready for students to use on a much a faster timeframe.”

Students in LBCC’s automotive and heavy equipment programs will received hands-on training using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment in research, installation, maintenance, conversion and operation of high-efficiency alternative fuel technologies including compressed natural gas, propane, electric and biodiesel as well as traditional fuel vehicles. The center will also be used to train technicians already in the field.

Future plans for the ATTC site include construction of a new 10,000-square-foot innovation center is set to begin winter 2014, and construction of compressed natural gas and propane fueling stations and electrical charging stations.

LBCC is continuing to raise funds to support moving its heavy equipment and diesel program to the center, with plans for an additional 20,000-square-foot building to be built on the site.

The college has raised approximately $6.7 million for the project. In addition to the LBCC Foundation donation, major funding for the center includes more than $2 million in private donations, $1.5 million from the Economic Development Administration, $1.4 million from the City of Lebanon Urban Renewal District, $800,000 from Oregon lottery funds, $350,000 from the Meyer Memorial Trust,  $170,000 from Pacific Propane Gas Association, $100,000 from the Lebanon Industrial Development Corporation, $60,000 from Consumer’s Power, NW Natural and Pacific Power and $50,000 from Drive Oregon.

Industry partners include Snap On, Pacific Power, John and Phil’s Toyota, and CoEnergy Propane of Corvallis. 

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