CREATE Spring Innovation Webinars

Our first Innovation Series spotlights new techniques in online learning by three exemplary faculty members from across the country. Wednesday, February 3rd 1:30PM-2:00PM PST Presenter: James Horst Students are not engaging while learning remotely. Many of the senses that would normally be present during face-to-face learning are lost in the remote environment. James presentation will incorporate the use of a 5 camera system while using Zoom to present energy concepts. Presenter: Scott Liddicoat Almost every classroom teacher in the nation has quickly learned to make educational videos. Now let's make them better--both educationally and professionally. Take your video skills to the next level of quality with CREATE's Scott Liddicoat. He will review simple, but strong recommendations, video-making tips, and points to consider to move you up the learning curve quickly. Friday, February 5th 11:00AM - 11:30AM PST Presenter: Jennifer Clemons These last several months have been difficult for technical faculty to say the least. Teaching an Energy Physics Course in fall, Jennifer will present what worked well and what didn't and demonstrate some of the technology that has helped make teaching in our current environment easier. To register, email gabrielle.temple@canyons.edu

MREA & Straubel Foundation Clean Energy Leadership Award

In partnership with the Straubel Family Foundation, MREA launched its new scholarship initiative in 2018 to foster student leadership in clean energy: MREA and Straubel Foundation Clean Energy Leadership Award. The award is designed to assist students who are pursuing degrees and/or relevant credentials in renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainability, or clean technology. Prior to this initiative, the MREA created the Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund in honor of Steve Hansen, a brilliant educator who taught thousands of students in Wisconsin about the importance of renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The Steve Hansen Scholarship Fund was established to help the next generation carry on his important work and contributed $16,000 to 31 future sustainability innovators from 2006 – 2017. For additional information visit: https://www.midwestrenew.org/scholarships/

Madison College completes solar panel project at Reedsburg campus

By: ERICA DYNES REEDSBURG — Madison Area Technical College in Reedsburg has completed its solar panel project to bring renewable energy to the campus, reducing its carbon footprint and bringing educational opportunities to students interested in learning more about the industry. The panels went into operation at the Reedsburg campus Nov. 18, said Ken Walz, the college’s renewable energy program director and the science and engineering instructor. The system at the Reedsburg campus is the fourth system completed as part of the college's 2018 Solar Roadmap. Another set of solar panels will be placed at the Fort Atkinson campus. On its first day of operation, the panels produced over 80% of electricity during the daylight hours at the Reedsburg campus, Walz said. The installation at the Reedsburg campus cost the college $180,000 and will save about $20,000 a year in electricity, he said. Construction took place in September. The solar panels not only provide cost savings to the campus and the ability to produce its own electricity, it also opens the door to educational opportunities in renewable energy at both facilities. It'll help students in related fields like architecture, construction, engineering, electrical apprenticeship, industrial maintenance and environmental science, according to Walz and an August 19 press release on Madison College’s website.

Cutting the Total Cost of Electrification for EV Bus and Truck Fleets

By Jeff St. John Electric trucks and buses may be approaching cost parity with their fossil-fueled counterparts, and they’re certainly cheaper to fuel over the long run — and that’s not counting their carbon and pollution emissions benefits. But that’s just a slice of the costs of switching bus and truck fleets from fossil fuels to batteries. Unexpected costs and bottlenecks in charging infrastructure, fleet operations and maintenance, and permitting and financing weigh on cities and states mandating electric bus fleets, or private companies with large-scale delivery truck electrification goals. Solving for this “total cost of electrification” equation will be a critical step in pushing EV trucks and buses from the margins to the mainstream in the coming decade, according to a report released Wednesday by Environmental Defense Fund, MJ Bradley and Vivid Economics. “We’re seeing the technology increasingly ready, and capital increasingly eager to invest in sustainability” via fleet electrification, Andy Darrell, EDF’s chief of global energy and finance strategy, said in an interview. “And yet the deployment, especially in the medium and heavy-duty sector, might not be moving as quickly as we’d like to achieve big climate goals.” For the rest of the story visit: https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/cutting-the-total-cost-of-electrification-for-bus-and-truck-fleets

KidWind Virtual Workshop Series

KidWind is proud to partner with the CREATE Center to bring our virtual renewable energy educator workshops to educators across the US.  If you are a 6-12th grade science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) teacher use the coupon code, CREATEWKS2020, and it will reduce your registration fee to ONLY $10!  That saves you $140!  These 6-hour fully virtual workshops are hands-on and focus on delivering just enough content knowledge to get going, as well as a wide variety of practical activities for your classroom.   If you manage to take attend and complete all three of workshops - Energy & The Power Grid, Wind Energy Fundamentals and Solar Energy Fundamentals and attend an educators webinar on successful implementation you will receive $200 in bonus gear that you get to choose!  No prior energy knowledge is needed to attend these workshops.  All participants receive a box of materials before each workshop that will allow them to explore the lessons. To register visit: https://www.kidwind.org/training/workshops

Webinar: Solar Road Maps: Strategic Planning for School Facilities

 

Friday, November 13th, 9AM PST/11AM CST/12PM EST

Schools across the country are considering solar photovoltaic installations on campus to produce energy for their facilities and to provide an educational resource for students.  A solar roadmap can help your institution to create a strategic plan to prioritize solar development on campus. To register for the webinar email Gabrielle Temple at Gabrielle.temple@canyons.edu 

Webinar: Energy Around the World - Germany Energy Storage

 

This Free Event is at 11:00AM - 12:00PM on Wednesday, November 4

Join us as we hear about Germany's energy systems with a focus on energy storage. Our first presenter will be Frances Ball of Launch Alaska. She will present her findings on Germany's energy systems and compare them to Alaska. She will then give an overview of several energy storage options. We will then hear from Dr. Kai-Philipp Kairies who will present his research on battery storage.

To Register visit: https://GermanyEnergyStorage

Solar power addition at MATC to help college, students

 

By Craig Spychalla

The sun was shining Monday afternoon, shedding some light on a new subject that is growing in popularity for college students.

Along the wide-open space near Madison Area Technical College in Fort Atkinson, there is the start of a new energy source that will be able to supply the college with all the power it needs.

But more importantly, students will get to learn about one of the fastest-growing industries in the nation by studying the engineering and installation of solar power.

“In the last decade, solar has really exploded,” said Ken Walz, a science and engineer instructor for MATC.

The school has had a renewable energy program for the last 15 years that originally focused on biofuels.

On the Fort Atkinson campus, MATC also had a wind turbine for about a decade that was dissembled last year after a gear box broke.

Walz said educators used the turbine to teach students about wind technology. But the cost to fix the problem was expensive, so the turbine was sold to someone in Michigan who will put that equipment into operation there.

“We were looking at some necessary repairs, and enrollment in wind (energy) classes had gone down over the last several years,” Walz said.

Biofuels also is maxed out in this state, he said, with not much opportunity for jobs growth.

But solar power now is booming and for a good reason. Not only is there abundant sunshine for a place like MATC to operate a facility, but the technology to build solar panels is relatively inexpensive.

In fact, Walz said installing a solar energy system is 90 percent cheaper to build than in 2003 when MATC first installed one.

Back then, the price was about $18 per watt. And now it’s about $1.70 per watt. The MATC-Fort Atkinson project will have a 150,000-watt system.

The growth in the school’s program for wind and solar power is starting to reflect a major shift in the energy industry, Walz stated.

“We can generate a lot more energy from solar at a lower cost and have a lot more students,” he said.

For the rest of the story visit: https://SolarPower@MATCHelpCollegeStudents

Webinar: Utility Communications - CA Rule 21 Phase 2&3, Sunspec IEEE 2030.5

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2020

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT

New changes to grid interconnection standards now require secure communications between the utility company and the inverter. California investor owned utilities are requiring compliance to these standards for NEM interconnection.

Come learn about the changes to these interconnection standards, how they impact you and the homeowner, and what you can do to comply. 

For more information and to register: https://UtilityComWebinarCARule21

The Fall Cohort of Solar Ready Vets Fellowships is off to a great start!

 

Solar Ready Vets Fellowship extends the corporate fellowship by Hiring Our Heroes to the solar industry. Mid - senior level service service members are placed with solar employers for 12 weeks of on-the-job training and professional development to support a smooth transition from military service to the civilian solar workforce. 

We're proud to have SRV Fellows placed in diverse roles spanning logistics and operations, markets and policy, and business development. Current solar host companies include SunPower, Energy Toolbase, FTC Solar, Built Well Solar and Solar Support. 

Solar employers: want to host a Solar Ready Vets Fellow? 
We're now recruiting employers to join us for the Winter  2021 Cohort!  Placements will be made in management and professional roles, such as business development, project management, communications, and operations. 

For more information visit:https://SolarReadyVetsFellowship