Environment

The EnergyXchange campus The EnergyXchange campus is a multi-use facility that demonstrates numerous applications of alternative energy sources and creative usage of waste resources. The use of alternative energy and methane reduces the amount of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon footprint, of our campus. The fuel-burning appliances on campus are powered by methane gas generated by a decommissioned landfill. The methane is collected from the field and piped to heating appliances and craft studio equipment. Combusting or using the methane on site significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. A localized application for the methane is the best practice for a resource that would otherwise have been released into the atmosphere or burned wastefully. Wood waste from an adjacent transfer station is diverted from transport to other landfills and is utilized at EnergyXchange as construction material, supplemental heat and pottery making fuel. The use of solar photovoltaic modules provides electricity to the facilities. Solar thermal panels provide heat to the greenhouse aquaponics system and are part of a new, multi-fueled, whole campus, radiant heating system. EnergyXchange is also a North Carolina Environment Education Center. (NCEEC)

Education

As a NCEEC, EnergyXchange provides outreach through guided tours that focus on environmental issues concerning energy use and waste management. With a diverse range of topics covered on site, tours can cater to college environmental classes interested in atmospheric issues, as well as to primary school classes that are interested in energy and learning how to recycle, reuse, and reduce trash. In addition, horticulture and FFA programs at the high school and community college levels visit EnergyXchange to learn from the greenhouse operations and aquaponics demonstration. Art schools are also interested in the craft studios. Future plans to bring arts related business classes and horticultural focused lectures onsite will further EnergyXchange partnerships with the community.

Economic Development

EnergyXchange was founded for the purpose of using local resources to provide an economic stimulus. This is affirmed in the mission and vision statements of the organization. Two economic branches that were identified by the founding partners as being significant to the rural mountain area were horticulture and crafts. This focus led to the development of the Craft Studio Business Incubator Program and Project Branch Out.

The craft studios bring six new artists every three years to participate in the program. While at EnergyXchange the artists relocate to the area and develop their budding craft businesses. The artists use a gallery on campus to show and sell their works as well as other galleries outside of the campus. They participate in regional and national competitions and craft shows.

Project Branch Out focuses on the production of native evergreen rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas from locally gathered seed. The native plants are rare and are available at wholesale pricing to local nurserymen, field growers, and the public. The goal is to supply quality young plants to this expanding industry and to protect the endangerment of species from the threat of wild harvesting.