Hands-on practice for civil engineering students can be a little challenging in South Dakota, which is why South Dakota School of Mines & Technology’s Renewable Energy Research Facility has unique research possibilities, said assistant civil engineering professor Lance Roberts.

The new facility on Smelter Hill, which includes three photovoltaic solar panels and state-of-the-art technology for researching wind and solar energy opportunities, will officially open today with the raising of two wind turbines during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

During the building and preparation of the facility, civil engineering students started their own experiment –- measuring the pressure of the turbines and how factors like wind affect the soil they are built on.

It’s unusual to have such a large available project on campus for ongoing research, Roberts said.

“We’re generally dealing with large buildings and bridges,” he said. “It’s difficult to build something that large.”

Earlier, the students placed pressure cells on the turbines and will start recording the readings today. Future students will study other aspects of the turbines, including how to build more efficient panels and blades for the turbines.

Eventually, he said, students studying the blades on the turbine will build some of their own on campus.

“That’s what I love,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be perpetual, a project we can conduct research on for many, many years.”

Duane Hrncir, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, said the wind turbines will provide small amounts of electricity that will contribute to the local Black Hills Power grid, but the purpose of the instruments is about education for students and the community. The facility was built with a $90,000 donation from Black Hills Power. Students and community members will be able to study and visit the facility as well.

“There was recognition by the university that in order to be at the forefront of engineering and science research, we need to have a presence in renewable energy research,” Hrncir said.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com