Environment

The EnergyXchange campus is a multi-use facility that demonstrates different uses of several alternate energy sources.  No on-site energy source used at EnergyXchange is a fossil fuel.  The use of alternate energy sources reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, or the carbon footprint, of our campus. The fuel-burning appliances on campus are powered by methane in the landfill gas that is collected and piped to the appliances.  By burning the landfill gas, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere instead of methane.  Methane is 21 times more effective at trapping heat compared to carbon dioxide. Therefore, the conversion of methane to carbon dioxide and water, through the combustion process, significantly reduces the greenhouse gas emissions that would have occurred from the uncontrolled emission of methane from the landfill.  The use of solar panels provides both electric and thermal energy for the visitor center and aquaponics system, respectively.  A wind analysis was completed using data collected from an anemometer over a 12 month period, to determine if wind generation of electricity is feasible, and different forms of wood waste-to-energy alternatives are being researched for possible use.

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 alternate energy use and waste management.  With this wide range of topics, tours can cater to college environmental classes interested in atmospheric issues, as well as to primary school classes that are interested in learning how to recycle, reuse, and reduce trash.  In addition, horticulture and FFA programs at the high school and community college level come to EnergyXchange to learn from the greenhouse operations and aquaponics demonstration. Art schools are also interested in the craft studios at EnergyXchange.

Guided tours need to be scheduled in advance to insure that staff and artists are available.  There are also ‘Self Guided Tour’ brochures that are available in the visitor center at all times.

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.  From this determination were born 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 run their budding craft businesses.  Project Branch Out focuses on the production, from seed, of the native evergreen rhododendrons and deciduous azaleas.  The native plants are available wholesale to local nurserymen and field growers.  The goal is to supply quality young plants to this expanding industry.