All Green, All Technology Event - Engineering Unplugged - to Bring Leading Environmentalists to ODU

NORFOLK, Va., March 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Light rail, smart grids, reduced carbon footprints, LEED buildings, Maglev, and wind energy are a few of the favorite things on the docket for the second annual Engineering Unplugged conference slated for Tuesday, April 13 at the Ted Constant Convocation Center at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk.

The "all green, all technology" conference provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for environmental leaders to share real-world applications yielding measurable returns on investments in three areas - green buildings, energy conservation/alternative energy, and greenhouse gases.

The one-day learning/networking intensive, designed for today's green professionals, aligns with Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's goal to "make Virginia the Energy Capital of the East Coast." ODU president John Broderick opens the conference at 8:00 a.m. The Grow Green Marketplace wraps things up at 3:30 p.m. - green food, products, and social hour.

A statewide initiative, Engineering Unplugged is presented by the Virginia Applied Technology and Professional Development Center (VATPDC) of ODU. Attendees will represent architectural and design firms, military and government, construction companies, manufacturers, facilities managers, and others interested in green initiatives.

"Engineering Unplugged is a stellar example of how our faculty, students, corporate and industry partners come together with one goal: to explore, share, and create solutions that will improve individuals' lives, our communities, and the planet," said ODU's Broderick.  

The luncheon keynote speaker is noted environmentalist Edward "Ed" Nixon, youngest brother of former President Richard Nixon. Currently, he is president of Nixon World Enterprises, Inc. and chair of Pyron Solar Advisory Board in San Diego. He recently published his memoirs, The Nixons: A Family Portrait. He will address "Energy Sources for the Future."

The Engineering Unplugged curriculum will provide expertise for engineering firms to:

• Prepare for changes in environmental practices with experts from the Hampton Roads Green Building Council, ODU, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
• Identify areas where known energy loss and consumption waste money; and
• Learn about real cost-savers in Alternative Energy.

The educational component of the conference features workshops and demonstrations by recognized leaders in the field of environmental engineering. Participants will earn 0.8 CEUs/ eight PDHs.  

Early registration for Engineering Unplugged is $195 per person through March 30; enroll three and the fourth goes free. As of March 31, the fee is $295.

To register, go to http://www.engineeringunplugged.com/info or call VATPDC at 757-683-5479.  

About VATPDC and ODU  

The Virginia Applied Technology Professional Development Center is the continuing education arm of the Batten College of Engineering at ODU, providing non-credit classes and exam prep courses for engineers. Visit http://www.vatpdc.com/pdc.  

Old Dominion University is Virginia's forward-focused, public doctoral research university. Its entrepreneurial approach to problem solving drives cutting-edge research, eminent scholarship, and strategic partnerships with government, business, industry, organizations, and arts. Go to http://www.odu.edu.

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SOURCE Virginia Applied Technology Professional Development Center