Appalachian Energy Center

Appalachian State University with partner Catawba County operates a modular biodiesel research and testing facility located at the NC EcoComplex, an eco-industrial park centered on the Blackburn landfill in Newton, NC.

Appalachian Energy Center, in collaboration with the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) at UNCC received funding from the University of North Carolina General Administration to leverage its university-owned electric utility, New River Light and Power (NRLP), as an unprecedented UNC system asset to provide a collaborative platform for conducting energy-related research.

The Small Wind Research and Demonstration Site is a unique program to give first-hand experience with wind power technology.

This research facility offers multiple opportunities to students and staff at Appalachian state to conduct research in photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies.

The NEXUS is a 20 ft. by 30 ft. greenhouse including a small scale pyrolysis system, solar thermal heating system, compost heating system, an anaerobic digestion (AD) system, and aquaponics system at the Watauga County Landfill, in Boone, NC.