Clemson Energy Innovation Center is ENR's Editors' Choice Winner for Best Of The Best 2014

However, what started as a wind-energy test center is still evolving and broadening its reach. The university is working to develop what could be the world's first virtual test bed for wind-turbine drivetrains, which would enable manufacturers to evaluate designs as a precursor to physical testing.

Arguably more significant is the school's pending creation of a solar-array simulator, which eventually will be integrated with the existing grid simulator, so manufacturers can study how best to deploy their equipment and how that equipment might affect the grid.

Says Rigas, "We're pretty excited."

Project Team

Submitted by Choate Construction Co.

Owner Clemson University Restoration Institute

Lead Design Firm AEC Engineering

General Contractor Choate Construction Co.

Architect, MEP Engineer Davis & Floyd

Scott Judy is Deputy Editor for Regions, and editor of ENR Southeast, one of Engineering News-Record's 10 Regional publications. His roughly 27 years as a construction journalist began with an 11-year stint covering Midwest construction projects. In 2000, Judy helped launch the publication now known as ENR Southeast. He often delves into controversial aspects of the construction industry such as bankruptcies and fatal accidents, and wishes he would never have to cover another accident but suspects that he might.