JSU, Entergy Mississippi unveil electric car charging station

Oct. 10, 2011

Jackson State's new charging station is located at the campus' Transportation and Mobility Center on Walter Payton Drive.

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University and Entergy Mississippi, Inc. connected to the future on October 10 with the unveiling of a newly installed electric vehicle (EV) charger on JSU’s campus.

The charger is the first of three that Entergy is donating to Mississippi universities, which include the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi State University and JSU. The charging stations are one of Mississippi’s first major forays into the electric vehicle market.
“This project will provide two things for students – a hands-on experience and a research experience,” said Dr. Farshad Amini, chair of JSU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Jackson State and the other schools will allow students, faculty and staff who own electric vehicles to use the chargers at no cost. The charging stations are currently capable of providing a full charge to any electric vehicle on the market. JSU researchers and Entergy will collect usage data and conduct critical research about the chargers’ impact on consumers and the electric grid.

“Electric vehicles are gaining widespread acceptance as an important technology solution for the nation’s energy future,” said Napoleon Johnson, vice president of customer operations for Entergy Mississippi, Inc.
“However, the infrastructure must be in place to support the evolution of the technology. We hope our donation of EV chargers to these Mississippi universities will help start that process in this state.”

The next generation of affordable, consumer-friendly EVs—such as the Nissan Leaf, which was used to demonstrate how JSU’s charging station operates—are hitting the U.S. market. A total of 3.2 million plug-in electric vehicles will be sold worldwide by 2015, according to Pike Research.

“The Jackson State University community is excited about the partnership with Entergy to provide an electric vehicle charging station on our campus,” said Dr. Carolyn Meyers, president of Jackson State University. “Having this station on campus aligns with my administration’s strategic direction in enhancing our student and faculty knowledge base in alternative energy research and education as we bring value in reducing our nation’s transportation system cost.”

The charging station program is part of Entergy’s Generation E initiative, which supports technologies that foster environmental sustainability and provide for clean, efficient and affordable power for today and the future.
The chargers are manufactured by Coulomb Technologies, which specializes in electric vehicle charging systems and operates in 14 countries, with network operations centers in the U.S., London and Hong Kong.

– JSU –

Entergy Mississippi, Inc., presents $50,000 JSU School of Engineering

Jean Gordon Cook
601-979-1517
jean.g.cook@jsums.edu

Sen. John Horhn (left), Entergy Mississippi, Inc., president and CEO Haley Fisackerly, JSU College of Science, Engineering and Technology dean Mark G. Hardy, JSU School of Engineering associate dean Robert Whalin, JSU Development Foundation executive director Evangeline Robinson, Sen. Hillman Frazier and Entergy Mississippi, Inc. major projects director Jeff Richards.

(JACKSON, Miss.) – Entergy Mississippi, Inc., presented Jackson State University with a $50,000 check on July 12 toward the company’s $500,000 commitment to JSU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology. The grant is part of the company’s support of JSU’s Entergy Power Systems Laboratory and scholarships for the university’s engineering students.  

In 2009, Entergy Mississippi, Inc., pledged $400,000 to Jackson State to establish the Entergy Power Systems Laboratory in the School of Engineering and an additional $100,000 for scholarships. The grant also helps fund the power systems track in Jackson State’s proposed electrical engineering program anticipated to being offering classes in 2012.

The availability of engineering graduates is especially critical for the utility industry, where a large percentage of the work force is nearing retirement. To guarantee a steady supply of qualified replacements, Entergy has increased efforts to renew interest in engineering-related fields and work with schools to expand degree programs.

Speaking at a press conference when the $500,000 award was announced. Entergy Mississippi, Inc., president and chief executive officer Haley Fisackerly said, “The students who graduate from this program will be an incredible resource not only for Entergy, but for businesses and industry throughout Mississippi.”

The Entergy Power Systems Laboratory at Jackson State is being equipped to enable students to conduct experiments in power simulation, power electronics, electrical machines and other subjects related to managing and modernizing the nation’s energy transmission systems. Students also will learn about electric grid infrastructure, energy conservation, renewable energy and large-scale smart grids.