MATTOON - Lake Land College officials are looking for alternative energy sources above and below ground at the same time they are trying to land students in classes that would point them toward energy-related jobs.

The community college is committing to a geothermal system for heating and air conditioning at the new fitness center at the Lake Land Fieldhouse. Work also is progressing on a yearlong wind data study to confirm the feasibility of installing wind turbines to generate electricity at the college.

Geothermal is considered a more efficient climate control system because it circulates an antifreeze solution through underground pipes connected to many wells to maintain a constant temperature of 54 degrees, said Ray Rieck, vice president of business affairs at the college.

Traditional heating and air conditioning systems rely on outside air, requiring a lot of energy to heat during the winter or cool on hot days. A geothermal system also can eliminate the oven-to-freezer effect between some rooms in buildings on the Lake Land campus.

"The drillings last summer showed we could move forward with geothermal in the future. But it will not be in all the buildings we expected. We will put the geothermal system in with the expansion of the fitness center. Then we can determine the total savings later," Rieck said.

Lake Land is facing a 179 percent increase in energy costs over the next few years with several building expansion projects, based on a report issued to the college board earlier this year.

Officials also anticipate electric rate hikes - though rates are expected to stay stable for the coming year with Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative. Generating electricity just part of the year would produce a considerable savings for the college. A generator would serve as backup when the wind patterns are not conducive to turbine generation.

Officials expect to have the wind study completed by April. Then a report can be prepared on what the college needs to produce a cost-effective wind turbine-generator system. The wind data will help determine the dimensions of the turbine blades.

But it will be at least two years before any turbines start spinning high above college property, Rieck said.

"There is a long waiting list for this equipment. Many of the projects going up now were planned a few years back," Rieck said.

But the waiting period might enable the college to generate new classes for students interested in jobs related to alternative power, said Scott Lensink, vice president of academic affairs.

Lake Land sent a group of administrators and faculty to a conference on alternative energy education two months ago in Troy, N.Y.

"There are different options for alternative energy curriculum, and it is interesting how every part of the country has its own flavor. In some areas, you hear about biomass and solar cells. But others don't even consider biodiesel or ethanol," Lensink said.

Herb Meeker can be reached at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.