Engineers Week 2022

2022

ENGINEERS WEEK A Special Section of the Bangor Daily News • February 25, 2022

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Celebrating Maine Engineers!

National Engineers Week and the Upcoming Maine Engineering Expo 2022 We’re celebrating National Engineers Week from Sunday, Feb. 20 through Feb. 26! Maine engineering companies bring technology and innovation to our state that affects the lives of every resident, while our schools and universities are committed to inspiring the next generation of engineers. In honor of this important field and National Engineers Week, we’re pleased to share a few stories of the incredible work being done all around our state!

Mark Your Calendar!

The Engineering Expo 2022 will be held this year on April 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Thompson Point facility in Portland. The goal of the Expo, said Dana Humphrey, the University of Maine’s Dean of the College of Engineering, is “to engage K-12 students in STEM education by utilizing various engineering-related activities and presentations.”

Exhibitors include educational institutions, local engineeringbased businesses, and STEM associations and organizations. The event is free for the general public. It’s made possible by sponsorships from local businesses, education institutions and other groups. The event is produced by the Maine Engineering Promotional Council (MEPC).

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PO Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

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Value Engineering and Innovative Equipment Help to Kick-Off the Portland Back Cove West Project COURTESY OF SARGENT

With the sounds of steel sheet pile being driven and a gantry crane tramming with a 70,000 LB precast concrete box suspended beneath it, work is well underway on Sargent’s $27 million Back Cove West Storage Conduit project. The project will allow for the temporary storage and subsequent treatment of 2.25 million gallons of CSO (combined sewer overflow) volume that would otherwise have ended up in Back Cove.

Sargent was awarded the project in December of 2020, and work began in earnest in the summer of 2021. During the late winter and early spring of 2021, Sargent initiated and participated in a value engineering (VE) process with the City of Portland and project engineer Wright-Pierce. What was once a combination of 3,770 lineal feet of 8’x10’ and 8’x12’ precast concrete storage conduits (box culverts) became a single 8’x20’ storage conduit 1,689 feet long, accompanied by a single 2,045 linear foot 60” pipe storage conduit. Sargent was able to have the custom 8’x20’ storage conduit boxes designed and manufactured by Superior Concrete of Auburn, while keeping within crane capacity and transportation restrictions and meeting the owner’s requirements for a watertight and long-lasting product.

While working through the value engineering process and after further review of the project layout, it was determined that some specialty equipment would be required to construct the project. Two such examples were the Mi-Jack 750 gantry crane and the widened Cat 336 excavator.

Baxter Boulevard is lined by large historic trees and being able to work alongside the trench with an off-road or crawler crane was not feasible. The selection of a gantry crane allowed for the offloading, transportation, and setting of the 35-ton precast storage conduit box culvert sections, all while spanning the 36’ trench width. Sargent negotiated the purchase of a Mi-Jack 750 gantry crane meeting those requirements from a company in Texas. The crane was transported in pieces by truck to Sargent’s Stillwater, Maine shop, where it was overhauled, customized, assembled, and tested before being disassembled and transported to Back Cove for use on the project.

Another issue Sargent needed to tackle was how to excavate and backfill the storage conduit trench. Whatever excavator was chosen, the same room requirements that the crane faced would apply. After seeing an image shared by an employee on social media, the idea of customizing a 36-ton excavator into something that could span the entire trench was formed. Sargent contacted Foresight Engineering of Lincoln and soon arrived plans of an excavator with a 39’ span between the tracks (a typical Cat 336 has a span of just over 6’).

Sargent’s fabrication crew then built the custom undercarriage at the Stillwater shop. After initial assembly and testing, the excavator was disassembled, mobilized to the project, and reassembled, drawing much attention from passers-by.

Sargent is on track for a summer 2023 completion of the project.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Kleinschmidt is honored to be a part of 2022 Engineers Week!

COURTESY OF KLEINSCHMIDT

We are committed to encouraging and educating the next generation of engineers about various aspects of working in the renewable energy industry. We know that today's students are tomorrow's leaders.

company architecture where every employee can become a shareholder. Today, over 50 percent of our fulltime employees are shareholders. Being shareholders in a privately held, independent firm creates opportunities for every employee to “own their future.”

So, who is Kleinschmidt? For more than 50 years, Kleinschmidt has provided engineering, regulatory, and environmental consulting services to energy companies and government agencies across North America. We provide practical solutions to complex problems affecting energy, water, and the environment.

Hydropower is our niche. Hydropower is the oldest and largest source of renewable power generation. We have served the hydropower market for over 50 years, working on hundreds of hydropower facilities. Our core services include rehabilitating and modernizing existing hydropower projects, developing new hydropower stations, hydropower regulatory support, and environmental science.

What's it like to work at Kleinschmidt? Kleinschmidt has been employee-owned since it was founded in 1966

by Dr. R. Stevens Kleinschmidt in central Maine. More recently, Kleinschmidt shifted to an open and inclusive

Our employees enjoy a relaxed, professional atmosphere working on incredible renewable energy projects. Kleinschmidt is consistently recognized as a Best Firms/Best Places to Work. Our team members say that the flexible work environment is one of our most valuable benefits because it promotes a healthy worklife balance. Employees have the freedom to prioritize

family needs with flexible work hours, working virtually, or by working from one of our 12 office locations throughout North America.

Caring for the communities where we work and live.

At Kleinschmidt, our values guide how we treat each other, serve our clients, perform our work, and serve our communities. We strive to meet our core values of Meaningful Work, Integrity, and Loyalty in everything we do. Our culture's core is service to others, reflected in our longstanding philanthropic outreach to many socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

Empowering Everyone. To create a sustainable future for Kleinschmidt, we recognize the importance of equitable practices and inclusivity. We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and feel a sense of purpose in what they do. Our work matters and you matter too. We embrace diversity to create a strong community. With that in mind, we nurture an inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered.

Come make a difference with us! Visit us on the web at www.kleinschmidtgroup.com to learn more or email us at info@kleinschmidtgroup.com!

Finding Your Passion Through Engineering COURTESY OF THE CIANBRO COMPANIES

When you choose engineering as a career path, your options are truly limitless.

Engineering is more than building and solving problems; it provides a base for you to develop into an innovative and creative leader.

As an engineer with The Cianbro Companies, you will have opportunities in diverse markets, including infrastructure, industrial/manufacturing, power and energy, commercial building, petro-chemical, and oil/gas refining. Cianbro engineers work in various disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical, and beyond. If you are fond of Maine, the largest concentration of our team members is here in this great state. If you’re more interested in exploring the country, we have projects across the U.S. with major offices in Maine, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, and Texas.

Many of our engineers take the next step and become a senior project engineer.

However, others have chosen to get directly into an operational leadership role. Team member Eve Parent began her career as an engineer with Cianbro’s Industrial Manufacturing market. Eve chose the operational leadership path, ultimately becoming a project manager.

“Earlier in my career, I had the opportunity to take part in a Cianbro leadership development program, which offered me insight into the company and all the roles that I could pursue with my engineering background,” says Parent, who also earned her MBA while at Cianbro. “I wanted to find a position where my business interests and degree in engineering would intersect, and I found it in project management.”

Dann Hayden also began his career with Cianbro as an engineer and now serves as the Vice President and General Manager for Cianbro’s Industrial Manufacturing market. One of the things he has appreciated most about his time at Cianbro is how the company has helped him broaden his industry knowledge by assigning him to different projects and areas.

“It has been critical for my growth in the construction industry,” says Hayden.

“Adding that versatility to my skillset has helped me better understand all phases of projects, and it’s enabled me to become a better leader. Joining The Cianbro Companies will help you determine what you are good at, while supporting team member growth in all phases of construction, ultimately growing the future builders of our company.”

It’s a career path that Parent absolutely believes is worth following. “It is a challenging field, but it is rewarding,” she says. “From the civil engineering perspective, you get to design structures, and once they’re completed, you get to interact with them on a daily basis. You get to cross bridges that you have helped design and build. Knowing why it is built the way that it is as you cross it is pretty cool.”

The Cianbro Companies is 100 percent employee-owned. When you join Cianbro, A/Z Corporation, or Starcon International, you become part of a team that is building America. We encourage our team members to develop their skills and careers through our award-winning educational programs, or you can take advantage of our 100 percent tuition reimbursement program.

To learn more about career opportunities for engineers at Cianbro, visit www.cianbro.com/Careers/Cianbro.

ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Orono State-of-the-Art Engineering Education and Design Center Opening Soon

BY WANDA CURTIS

The new $78 million Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center at the University of Maine in Orono is rapidly approaching completion. Dean of the College of Engineering Dana Humphrey said they will start moving into the state-of-the-art facility in July. A grand opening is tentatively scheduled for August 24, 2022. He said the incoming class this fall will be the first to benefit from the new facility.

A Team Effort “Making the Ferland EEDC a reality has been a team effort,” said Humphrey. “The State of Maine provided $50 million in funding for the project.

More than 500 donors contributed more than $25 million in private gifts. E. James and Eileen P. Ferland, natives of Skowhegan, Maine, generously

gave the naming gift for the project. Additional donors who contributed $1 million or more are: Harold Alfond Foundation, Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation, Packing Corporation of America, Abbagadassett Foundation, and Pratt & Whitney. The creativity of the design team of WBRC Architects Engineers and Ellenzweig is evident throughout the building. They brought great ideas to the table and incorporated suggestions from faculty, staff and students, resulting in a building that will be a point of pride for all Black Bears.”

According to Humphrey, construction of the three-story building has been overseen by Consigli Construction. He said they’re giving UMaine a project that is “on-time and on-budget.” He added that UMaine Facilities Management has been part of every step of making the project a reality. A

particular point of pride is that 78 UMaine graduates were involved in the building’s design and construction. The building’s becoming a reality because of Black Bears willing to serve the needs of future Black Bears and the needs of the entire state of Maine, said Humphrey.

“The construction crews are completing the exterior facade of the building by installing the granite cladding on the outside of the first floor, the siding on the mechanical penthouse on top, and the windows,” said Humphrey. “Most of the brickwork on the second and third floor is already done. Inside, the crews are installing and painting the drywall, as well as putting in all the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

They’ll start installing the furniture on the third floor in late May and then work their way down to the second and first floors.”

Continues on page 8

The new engineering building in its final stages of construction

ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

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Sappi sets the standard for engineering careers, innovation COURTESY OF SAPPI

Paper permeates nearly every aspect of our lives—it’s in our clothes, our cars, our pantries and, of course, our mailboxes. The paper industry is a critical resource that’s at the forefront of innovation and sustainability to meet consumer demands, especially when it comes to creating new paper and packaging products to replace or minimize the use of plastic.

When Sappi made strategic investments in excess of $200 million to expand into the packaging business at our Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, we had already anticipated a strong market desire to move away from plastic and toward renewable, paper-based packaging. As the pandemic struck, the decision to invest in Somerset had positioned us to meet the sharp increase in demand for our high-quality paperboard.

With such forward-thinking investments, Sappi epitomizes the legacy of innovative papermaking in Maine, where it all started 150 years ago with our invention of coated paper.

Sappi’s history of investing in sustainability, new technology and state-of-the-art machinery led us naturally to the packaging business. Our engineers and scientists work continuously to develop new, innovative and sustainable products that consumers use every day.

Sappi scores highly with third-party organizations that rate sustainability in the pulp and paper industry, and we are committed to procuring materials from suppliers who operate within sustainability standards. We emphasize how our active forestmanagement process leaves forests better than when we found them, and we highlight that Maine has more forest land now than it did 100 years ago.

Due to our innovative leadership, Sappi keeps its eye on the future. Investments and capital flowing to our mills in Maine ensures the company’s long-term viability. The investment in Somerset Mill increased its capacity by 180,000 metric tons and expanded innovative product offerings for our packaging lines.

Sappi is a leading global company in the pulp and paper industry with offices and mills in Boston, Maine, Minnesota, South Africa, Europe and more. The company is driven by our Thrive2025 vision, which seeks to bring unity to all Sappi locations and pursue growth opportunities in the wood fiber industry.

Sappi works closely with the University of Maine’s Pulp and Paper Foundation to support students who express an interest in the pulp and paper industry, ensuring the next generation of paper engineers is the best and brightest. We work with local institutions to offer competitive co-op programs and career development opportunities.

Our 130 engineers come from a variety of institutions, including the University of Maine, Maine Maritime, Northeastern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and more.

For hundreds of years, the paper industry has been a staple of Maine’s economy, and Sappi North America’s mills and offices in Skowhegan, Westbrook and South Portland have remained a bright spot throughout that time. By always adhering to the three Ps – people, planet and prosperity – our company has set the gold standard for environmental practices, and we continually update processes to drive innovation and sustainability.

For more information or to talk with someone about joining our team, visit www.sappi.com or contact Jaime Sayers at 207-238-3496.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Continued from page 6

Student Project Design Suite The most important feature of the multi-million dollar building is the Student Project Design Suite, said Humphrey, which is nearly half of the first floor. The suite will have 44 workbenches with each being assigned to a group of students for a semester or a year. Students will build their hands-on projects in that suite. Each of the benches has lockable storage where students can store items.

“The workbench area will be surrounded by fully-equipped fabrication shops,” said Humphrey. “There will be shops for biomedical engineering, electronics, 3-D printing, vehicles, metal, wood and composites. Students will go out to the shops to fabricate components and then go back to their benches for assembly and debugging. All engineering students, from first-year to graduate students, who have completed basic safety training can use the Design Suite. This will be the best space of its kind in the Northeast.“

Two-Story Commons In Humphrey’s opinion, the EEDC will be “a magnet for engineering students and faculty.” In part thanks to a two-story commons with comfortable seating for relaxing and work. UMaine dining services will serve beverages, snacks and grab-and-go sandwiches there. Two massive south-facing windows will bring the sun into the commons. A door leads from the commons to an outside plaza.

Twelve Student Meeting Rooms “Twelve student meeting rooms strategically placed throughout the building can be reserved on-line for group work and tutoring sessions,” said Humphrey. “There is informal seating along ‘Main Street’ on the second and third floors. Our engineering student clubs have a large meeting room on the second floor. This is a corner office with windows on two sides. A building-long skylight will stream natural light through all floors making them warm and inviting.”

Given all the features of the building, Humphrey said he expects every engineering student will be in the building at least once a day for class, meetings, using one of the labs or for a cup of coffee. He said the building will be home to mechanical engineering, housing its department, faculty and grad student offices.

Teaching Labs “Two second-floor teaching labs will serve the needs of both mechanical engineering and mechanical engineering technology,” said Humphrey.

“There is a roof-top lab where students can conduct real-life experiments with solar trackers and wind turbines. A first-floor tool room with metal

lathes and milling machines will be critical for hands-on learning for mechanical engineering technology students. This replaces space that was in the Machine Tool Lab that was razed to make way for the Ferland EEDC.” Humphrey explained that biomedical engineering will move to the third floor of the Ferland EEDC. He said there will be a state-of-the-art biomedical engineering teaching lab. The offices for biomedical faculty and graduate students will also be located on the third floor.

“The building is designed to allow mechanical and biomedical engineering to double in size so that we can increase the number of engineering graduates to help meet the needs of Maine and beyond,” Humphrey said. “The building serves not just engineering, but the entire campus. There are five collaborative classrooms set up for active learning that will be used by classes from all majors. The campus Welcome and STEM Outreach Center will be on the north end of the first floor. Campus tours for prospective students will start here. There will be offices for UMaine Admissions and for STEM outreach through 4-H and UMaine Cooperative Extension.”

Students Projects Engineering students are excited about the many opportunities for learning and training the new building will make possible. Each student in the engineering program is responsible for completing a senior capstone project and for helping a Maine community with an engineering problem.

Senior Sarah Glatter recently collaborated with fellow engineering student Sena Algul to create a teddy bear “Alphabuddy” which can assist toddlers to learn the alphabet. Another student, Ally DiFilippo, was involved in converting a vintage basketball board into an analog and digital clock for the town of Fort Fairfield. She said they’re trying to modernize it with more controllable motors, more energy efficient LED lightbulbs, and a webbased interface, “while also making sure that the charm and spirit of the original piece of history remained intact.”

Another engineering student, Madeline Blair, has been working with a civil engineer professor to find a way to more accurately predict and analyze crash data. One of UMaine’s mechanical engineering graduates, Bob Monahan, was a co-founder of Uppababy (uppababy.com), a company which designs and manufactures high-end baby strollers, baby car seats and other related products, said Humphrey.

The Engineering Expo 2022 will be held this year on April 23 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Thompson Point facility in Portland. For more information, see page 2.

ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Ally DiFilippo working to add modern technology to a vintage basketball board for the town of Fort Fairfield.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLY DIFLILPPO

Dean of the College of Engineering Dana Humphrey

One of five collaborative classrooms planned for the new facility

Sarah Glatter PHOTO COURTESY OF UMAINE

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Building the Foundation for Future Engineers

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BY SARAH COTTRELL

What do design, problem-solving and robots have in common? Well, if you're a high school student in Bangor, you would say engineering! Students at John Bapst High School have been learning about the fascinating world of engineering through a competitive and impressive Engineering and Technology program that aims to give kids the opportunity to test the engineering waters to see if they want a future as an engineer.

"Most kids leaving this course sequence are either energized about engineering and ready to embark on a lifelong journey in that field, or, in smaller numbers, they have determined that it is definitely not for them," said Michael Murphy, who has taught all of the Engineering and Technology courses at John Bapst.

might be familiar with the massive variety of STEM baby and children's books and toys. Now schools like John Bapst see more girls looking to enter STEM fields, making their engineering courses especially attractive.

"The inclusion of young women in STEM here has been a major focus for the Engineering and Technology Department. For over a decade, we have been fighting the common societal stigma that seems to be attached to STEM when it comes to girls or women choosing that as a focus," Murphy explains. "We intentionally choose activities and projects that are more neutral when it comes to traditional gender expectations and inclinations."

formidable contender in the state, national and international engineering competitions in the last decade. But incredibly, the varsity robotics team has taken their success and is using it to get more kids interested in STEM learning by reaching out to local middle schools and mentoring younger students who are curious to learn more. With all of this valuable learning and mentoring, Murphy says that his students are well-prepared to join a two- or four-year college level program when they finish at John Bapst.

But before anyone thinks that engineering might be boring if not for robotics, Murphy shared a couple of exciting stories about some of his students.

"The engineering field is quite broad and can include so many exciting avenues since, at its core, engineering is about creating designs from robots to bridges to a simple staircase and then testing the integrity of that design to make sure it solves the problem intended."

The engineering field is quite broad and can include so many exciting avenues since, at its core, engineering is about creating designs from robots to bridges to a simple staircase and then testing the integrity of that design to make sure it solves the problem intended.

"Our entire program is based on the idea of iterative design and creative problem-solving. Engineering is really at the core of what we do," Murphy said. "With regard to problems kids are solving here, I am more focused on building in them the foundations that they need to look at problems in a new and creative way, and the tools that will allow them to identify novel solutions."

Over the past two decades, there has been a cultural push toward STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning, particularly for female students. Parents

After more than a decade of effort to bring more girls into the engineering classes, Murphy says he and his colleagues are finally seeing real results.

"Over half of our competition robotics program is made up of girls," said Murphy. "Two of our four teams are entirely made up of girls, including our top varsity team, which is amongst the best in the state this year."

The students in the engineering program are working hard to make the school proud and to spread their knowledge and excitement to younger students around the state. The John Bapst Robotic Team has become a

"Just this past year, I heard from a former student that is at Georgia Tech and was asked to brief the FBI regarding a novel virus that took down the Colonial Pipeline because he had been central in deciphering the code that was used in that attack," Murphy shared. "He has been offered professional positions already in top Cyber Security firms once he graduates."

In another example, a student designed and built his own 3-D printer for under $500 and entered it in the Maine State Science Fair, where an industry expert noticed the high-quality work. That professional handed the student his card and said to look him up if he needed any advice or a job when he finally finished school.

Teachers like Michael Murphy and his colleagues at John Bapst High School are helping our kids reshape the world through the exciting use of math, science, engineering and technology. And nothing could be more extraordinary for a kid than that.

ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

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Join the Versant Power Team!

COURTESY OF VERSANT POWER

We are looking for talented and driven engineers to join the Versant Power team! Our engineers work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where they can see the results of their work every day. They have the opportunity to learn and grow in the profession while helping us improve our system and transition to a clean energy future.

transmission systems, including planning, protection and coordination, line and substation design, underground facilities, and communication equipment. Distribution system planning includes modeling and analyzing the electrical distribution system, using studies to determine immediate needs, forecasting future electrical system needs and identifying opportunities to improve the system.

Now more than ever, Versant Power engineers are gaining opportunities to integrate distributed generation into the grid and continue to prepare the system for beneficial electrification such as heat pumps and electric vehicles. Our engineers are working on complex solutions to bring many new solar energy projects across northern and eastern Maine, and we are seeing their efforts in action with recent solar interconnections.

Similar work is performed for the bulk power system. Versant Power engineers perform substation design, studies on transmission line configurations to ensure power can be supplied to all substations, and other coordination and protection of the transmission system. Line engineers create detailed designs of new power lines, evaluating choices of wire and pole strength and appropriate guying to ensure reliable service at a reasonable cost.

At Versant Power, we value professional development and want our engineers to have the latest industry knowledge and training. Recently, for example, we have been incorporating advanced reliability technology into our system that isolates and limits the impact of electrical faults. Projects such as this allow team members to visit communities throughout our service territory to perform planning exercises and witness the implementation of engineering plans.

Versant Power offers full benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation, personal time, and holidays; tuition reimbursement, a 401(k) match; and opportunities for professional development. We contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable causes and economic development opportunities in northern and eastern Maine and encourage employees to volunteer and fundraise for causes important to them by providing matching funds.

There are always new projects to work on, and Versant Power engineers are encouraged to get involved in a variety of projects on the electrical distribution and

Versant Power is proud to sponsor National Engineers Week in Maine and encourages those interested in engineering to join us in bringing power to the people of Maine.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

The Promise of Wind Power COURTESY OF MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY

As an intern for Crowley Shipping’s New Energy division, Luke Healy got a look at a forecast for the future, and it is windy.

Through his internship, Healy, a class of 2022 Marine Engineering Technology major, researched possible companies and locations for offshore wind power in New England and Latin America, met with corporate team members and renewable energy experts, and made a presentation highlighting how Crowley can track its energy consumption and carbon emissions. He also copy-edited RFPs for a $300 million vessel for Crowley to service wind farms in the Northeast.

“Luke has been a great, proactive asset for our team,” said Jeff Andreini, who leads the New Energy division and is a 42-year veteran with Crowley. Andreini predicts the future of energy production will include huge investments in wind power, particularly offshore turbines and sees exciting opportunities for students joining the field.

GAINING VELOCITY

The potential U.S. offshore wind market has grown quickly, and experts predict accelerated expansion in the next 10 to 20 years. The United States has the potential to harness great amounts of energy from offshore wind and the Department of Energy estimates that East Coast offshore could provide about 35% of our national power needs by 2050.

The Biden administration recently announced an effort between the Environmental Protection Agency and the departments of the Interior, Energy, Commerce, and

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Transportation to deploy 30 GW of offshore wind in the U.S. by 2030. This would equal a 1,000-fold expansion of current commercial capacity.

As a result, East Coast states, including Maine, are gearing up for a near-coastal offshore wind boom. Like Crowley, companies in the oil and gas sector are moving resources in preparation for this boom. For example, Dominion Energy is building a 472-foot offshore wind turbine installation vessel to be launched in 2023 that will be the first such vessel that is Jones Act-qualified. The State of Maine is preparing an overall strategy to develop offshore wind capacity, including the port infrastructure needs to support that development.

MMA is well-positioned to provide graduates and professional training for the offshore wind sector. And a growing number of alumni are working in key renewable energy-related jobs.

POTENTIAL

Avery Nelson, a class of 2022 IBL major, also developed an interest in renewable energy during her studies at MMA. Like Healy, she also interned at Crowley, and one of her projects was to research Maine’s offshore wind plans for a presentation for Andreini.

“Wind power looks promising to me,” she said. “The industry is starting to take off, and now’s the time to become involved.”

Andreini is also optimistic, especially regarding the long-term potential of floating wind turbines. “As a nation, we are very far behind,” he said. “Assets, terminals, and training need to be built out and very soon to meet the goal of 30 by 30. Investments need to be made quickly to build up this infrastructure.

“I believe we will get there,” he said, “and it is going to be a very wild ride.”

START HERE, GO ANYWHERE With diverse academic and professional backgrounds, MMA’s Engineering faculty provide students with robust training and hands-on learning opportunities that will prepare you for a career in maritime or power engineering. Our faculty are industry veterans and leaders with experience working for companies such as General Electric, Cianbro, Newport News Shipbuilding, and the U.S. Navy.

Engineering Systems | Engineering Technology | Engineering Operations pursue your U.S. Coast Guard License and opportunities for maritime and shoreside careers MAINEMARITIME.EDU

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Explore the different fields of engineering COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

Engineering is an exciting profession that encompasses many different subfields. Engineers are professionals who invent, analyze, design, test, and build anything from machines to structures to complex systems. They are often pushed to work within parameters of safety, cost, regulations and even practicality.

According to Southern New Hampshire University, engineering is divided into four main categories: chemical, civil, mechanical and electrical. However, there are dozens of subtypes of engineering. As problems are encountered, engineering disciplines are developed to train highly specialized individuals to solve issues. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to strong job growth outlooks, and salaries starting in the high fivefigures to low six-figures, engineering is a fine career to pursue.

The following is a breakdown of the various fields of engineering, courtesy of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, TypesOfEngineeringDegrees.org, and SNHU.

· Aerospace:

These engineers design, analyze, model, simulate, and test various aircraft, rockets, satellites and other craft. Aerospace engineers may help develop space mission protocol or design aircraft for the military.

· Civil:

Civil engineers study and design infrastructure. Projects span the design of bridges, roads, dams, water systems, earthquake-proof buildings and much more.

· Computer hardware:

Thanks to the digital age, computer hardware engineers are in high demand. These professionals research and develop components like memory devices, networks, routers, circuit boards and other device-related hardware.

· Electrical:

The design, testing and manufacturing of electrical components is key to this field. Electrical engineers work on motors, navigation systems, communication technology and much more.

· Mechanical:

This field involves the design of mechanical systems in industries like manufacturing, nuclear power production, HVAC, and nanotechnology.

There are many other applications as well, making mechanical engineering one of the broadest fields in engineering.

Engineering can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. With so many disciplines, there's likely something for everyone with an interest in and aptitude for engineering.

· Agricultural:

These engineers study science and biology to develop efficient measures to grow and maintain plant life. Many agricultural engineers now focus on protecting resources and the environment.

· Biomedical:

These engineers combine knowledge of biology and medicine to develop technologies related to healthcare. Diagnostic machines, artificial organs, joint replacement components and medical instruments are just the tip of the iceberg.

· Chemical:

Chemical engineers discover and manufacture medicines, fertilizers, plastics, paints and the various chemicals used at home and for commercial purposes.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 25, 2022

Legacy A/E Firm WBRC Gets New Look COURTESY OF WBRC

“Less is more.” This oft-quoted design adage helped inspire WBRC Architects Engineers to rebrand. Now the 120-year-old Maine-based company is officially called WBRC Inc. “We are still focused on architecture and engineering,” says Doug Whitney, AIA, WBRC’s CEO. “But we have grown to provide interior design, landscape architecture, and other specialized design services. Rebranding to WBRC gives us flexibility to continue to evolve.”

“Our clients were already shortening our name to WBRC,” adds Rob Frank, PE, the company’s Chief Business Development Officer. “We just made it official.”

Years ago, professional firms would often shift names to reflect changes in ownership. (See list of WBRC’s historic names.) In 1989, WBRC’s owners settled on the name WBRC Architects Engineers. Whitney, who celebrates 42 years with the firm in August, applauded that name change. “We couldn’t keep using our last names,” he says. At that time there were six owners at WBRC; now there are 13.

The company is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, another motivation to make its brand more user-friendly. “A shorter name gave us the chance for a new logo and fresh look,” Franks says. WBRC’s marketing team had the skills and experience to accomplish this in-house.

WBRC’s new logo is a simple, lowercase type treatment designed to be highly readable and memorable. The logo is joined by a system of complementary colors Thomas & Crowell 1902–1906 centered around the color indigo, a hue rarely used in the A/E design industry. The C. Parker Crowell 1906–1919 firm’s website URL is now wbrcinc.com.

Crowell and Lancaster 1919–1952

WBRC HISTORIC NAMES

Crowell, Lancaster and Higgins 1952–1956 Crowell, Lancaster, Higgins and Webster 1956–1968 “WBRC is still the same great company people trust,” Whitney says. “While we’re Higgins, Webster and Lloyd 1968–1970 grateful for the past, our focus is on the future. It’s exciting to have a fresh brand Higgins, Webster and Partners 1970–1974 Webster/Ebbeson/Baldwin/Day 1974–1978 identity as we continue our work serving clients.”

Webster/Baldwin/Day/Rohman 1978–1987 Webster/Baldwin/Rohman/Day/Czarniecki 1987–1989 To learn more about WBRC’s rebrand, visit WBRC Architects Engineers 1989–2021 www.wbrcinc.com/wbrc-rebrand WBRC Inc. 2022–