When they weren’t connecting with each other to learn about similar power systems research at other schools, GEAREAD students were meeting with and talking to utility professionals at DistribuTECH 2018 about their research and potential employment opportunities.
GEARED 
IREC at SPI
Solar Power International is always a great gathering of industry leaders and newcomers, improvements on trusted products alongside the latest technology, and the most current information about solar market trends and challenges. Once again, IREC is a proud SPI Partner Organization, bringing SPI attendees the expertise they have come to expect at the IREC 3iForum – Information, Innovation and Inspiration.
Innovative Students Accelerate Electric Power System Engineering for Renewable Energy
So why did these innovative students choose power engineering? First-year Ph.D. student Jose Cordova explains: “With renewables, it’s even more important to integrate them into the grid . . . to help the environment and become more efficient. I want to make a difference, and working in the power grid means making a big impact.”
Annual Trends Report Released by IREC
IREC’s 2015 Annual Trends Report presents a deep look at the stories behind the year’s national clean energy headlines. It offers an informative, independent perspective on the year’s renewable energy and energy efficiency progress and challenges across the U.S., and the activities, research, publications, expert insight and recommendations that are helping shape our clean energy future.
Tagged with: credentialed training providers, credentialing instructors, distributed solar generation, dynamic digital credentialing system, emergency responders, GEARED, grid modernization, interconnection, interconnection policies, IREC 2015 Annual Report, micro credentials, military vets, quality workforce development, shared community solar, shared renewable energy programs, Small Generator Interconnection Procedures, solar+storage technology, stackable skills, U.S. Department of Energy Reach for the Sun
Say Hello to the New Power Engineering Workforce
The FEEDER 2015 Summer Power Experiences Program at the University of Kentucky hosted 21 graduate and undergraduate engineering students from the FEEDER consortium of universities for five days touring 10 power and energy-oriented facilities across the southeast.
IREC Launches New Website for National Program to Grow Clean Energy Expertise of Electric Utility Workforce
IREC launches a new website to share activities of the GEARED Initiative – Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment. As National Network Administrator of GEARED, IREC is helping facilitate and support efforts of the Distributed Technology Training Consortia (DTTC) created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative. The goal is to build a national framework for power systems training and curriculum that will grow the power engineering workforce.
Gearing Up for the Coming Power Engineering Workforce
This past summer, FEEDER (Foundations for Engineering Education for Distributed Energy Resources, the DTTC led by the University of Central Florida), offered a comprehensive summer institute on the smart grid, microgrids, and energy systems integration. Thirty students, 10 of whom were women, attended lectures, studied numerical modeling and forecasting, and took a field trip to Orlando Utilities Commission’s 6MW solar PV installation. On the last day, student teams shared results of their work.
Conversations without Devices
In true marathon spirit, IREC has had its running shoes on this spring, hitting conferences and meetings on all sides of the country. These events have been most fruitful and rewarding – well worth the long TSA lines and full planes. Having face-to-face time with many colleagues has given us new insights to make our work more meaningful.
Tagged with: Air Conditioning Contractors of America, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy National Symposium on Market Transformation, Bloc Power, Boston Community Capital, Building Performance Institute, CUNY's Building Performance Lab, Donnel Baird, Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI) Energy Efficiency and Grid Modernization Public Advisory Group, Elyse Cherry, GEARED, GRID Alternatives, Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Development, Henry Red Cloud, Kate Bowman, Lakota Solar Enterprises, Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, National Association of Workforce Boards, Residential Energy Services Network, San Bernardino County WIB, Standard Work Specifications, Tim Sears, Utah Clean Energy, White House Solar Summit Champions of Change
First Student Conference for Developing the Future Power Engineering Workforce
An expected 40 students and faculty from universities across the country will participate in a first annual, one day student-centered conference April 28 on developing the power engineering workforce of the future. The first annual conference is a project of the U.S. Department of Energy’s new program: Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Development (GEARED). A part of DOE’s SunShot Initiative, GEARED is administered by IREC and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA).
