For Immediate Release听
Mason and AWS collaborate on Renewable Energy Lab and Sustainable Data Center Engineering concentration
Fairfax, Va. (March 4, 2024)鈥擶orking with Amazon Web Services (AWS), 亚洲AV will unveil a new Renewable Energy Lab within the soon-to-open Fuse at Mason Square in Arlington and launch a companion curriculum concentration in sustainable data center engineering this fall 2024.
鈥淲e are very appreciative of our continuing collaboration with AWS,鈥 Mason President Gregory Washington said. 鈥淏ecause of their support, we are providing our students and faculty with cutting-edge technology and tools that unite our researchers across many disciplines to further their knowledge about data centers. With this level of education and experience, our students are well-prepared to enter the tech workforce.鈥濃
鈥淚nvesting in expanded laboratory experiences for students is critical,鈥 Nicholas Lee-Romagnolo, program lead of workforce and economic development at AWS, said. 鈥淕eorge Mason students from all disciplines will have access to real-world technologies and hands-on simulations. This type of immersive learning complements the breadth of new programs offered to students and helps ensure they have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to fill high-demand jobs across the region.鈥
The new concentration in sustainable data center engineering will focus on renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution training and hands-on experience. The course builds upon the Data Center Engineering鈥痗ourse launched last year that develops student expertise in data center infrastructure design, operations, efficiency, cooling, and decarbonization.
With advanced equipment and software tools funded by AWS, Mason鈥檚 new Renewable Energy Lab will allow students to explore, analyze, and simulate data related to renewable energy sources as well as the complex design and operation of microgrids. The lab will replicate real-world equipment, such as power grids, wind power plants, and other renewable energy sources.
鈥淎WS鈥檚 investment in the renewable energy lab provides another critical piece to Mason鈥檚 experiential ecosystem designed to prepare the next generation of engineers for roles that did not exist ten years ago,鈥 said Liza Wilson Durant,鈥痑ssociate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement. 鈥淢ason will now expand the number of students in our power engineering and data center engineering programs with hands-on skills development, which is essential to bridge between the classroom and industry practice.
The new lab will be based at and is part of Mason鈥檚 broad partnership with Amazon. The curriculum also strengthens Mason鈥檚 participation in the (TTIP), a statewide program that aims to increase the number of undergraduate and graduate students completing degrees in the fields of computer science, applied computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering.
Kamaljeet鈥疭anghera, executive director for the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) adds, 鈥淢ason consistently delivers on its promise to foster collaboration across disciplines and industries not only to deliver the best student experience but also to advance critical solutions to the nation鈥檚 grandest challenges.鈥濃
Contacts:听听听
Martha Bushong听
College of Engineering and Computing
亚洲AV
Email: mbushong@gmu.edu
Website:
Rosa Salinas
Community Impact Programs
Amazon Web Services
Email: salirosa@amazon.com
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ABOUT 亚洲AV听
亚洲AV is Virginia鈥檚 largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at鈥gmu.edu.鈥