Bill Carpenter 

I am a fifth year engineering student at the University of Wisconsin - Madison enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program pursuing certificates in both Energy Sustainability and Thermal Energy. With climate change becoming increasingly relevant, the global community needs to advance sustainable practice and fight for the planet we inhabit. There is no better place to contribute to this sort of positive change than in the clean, renewable energy field and energy efficiency. With my certificate focuses I have become more understanding of the problem at hand and I am dedicated to making a positive impact throughout my lifetime.

Along with my coursework, I have been working on various projects that have allowed me gain valuable experience in design and in leadership. As the Levitation, Stability, and Propulsion Team Lead for the Badgerloop Competition team, I have been in charge of the design, fabrication, and logistics of the levitation and stability systems of our pod that allow for seamless travel while accounting for any problem that may arise. These critical systems have a lift capability of 1,000kg and maintain stability while traveling ~200mph down the competition test track. I manage my team of students and make sure work is being done efficiently and on our timeline for the competition in January. This year I have begun working on a three year project called the Solar Decathlon, a DOE competition. For this project I am coordinating the design and build of a residential home that will produce more energy than it consumes. As the president of my student chapter of ASHRAE, I focus on the maintained energy efficiency and initial design consumption reduction and then offsetting those needs with renewables and passive solutions. The HVAC systems contribute much to this energy flow and I am focusing on effective solutions to fit the application.

Coming from a background where neither of my parents were rooted in science or engineering, I have been working independently in taking this path in energy and my studies. While this has required a steep learning curve, I feel that I tend to look at things in different ways than most engineers and it allows me to view things with a unique perspective. I have lived in several parts of the country, been heavily influenced by music and art, and grown through a diverse collection of challenges which have all allowed me to become a better-rounded student, engineer, and person.

​As an engineer progressing in my field, I view this opportunity as an incredible learning experience. As someone passionate about sustainable energy, I view this opportunity as a dream come true. I am motivated to grow with this experience and further develop the ways I can help improve the world.