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Renewable Energy Education
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The Innovative Energy Demonstration Program (IEDP) promotes the use of renewable energy by providing educational information on Texas renewable energy resources and by funding projects throughout Texas that demonstrate the practical use of new renewable energy technologies. The program also sponsors conferences, workshops and educational efforts that motivate Texans to use and promote renewable energy in their communities.
Renewable Energy Education Projects
The Infinite Power of Texas
In 1997, SECO initiated the first phase of an educational campaign, The Infinite Power of Texas, to educate Texans about the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy resources and the technologies used in Texas by individuals, businesses and utilities. Phase 2 of the campaign was launched in 2001 with additional fact sheets, a revised video and an improved, innovative, and interactive website. The materials are designed to communicate consumer information to both adults and children on a variety of renewable energy and sustainability topics in Texas. The Infinite Power of Texas web site presents detailed background information about renewable energy and encourages and enables Texans to use more renewable energy in their daily lives. For additional information, see:
SECO Adds Energy to the Classroom
Infinite Power of Texas Web Site
High Performance School Study
This project compares the collective efficacy of teachers as well as the energy use in several of the McKinney ISD high performance schools and similar traditionally- designed schools. The study also reviews the sustainable design recommendations as compared with the sustainable components included in the facility.
Final Report
University of Texas' Austin Clean Energy Incubator
This project continues the development of the Clean Energy Incubator (CEI). CEI offers renewable/clean energy businesses the opportunity to market their services. The Incubator recruits investors and industries wanting to start up or expand in Texas and educates them about the costs, benefits and potential application of renewable energy resources and technologies in the Texas market as well as in national and world markets.
Austin Clean Energy Incubator Web Site
ACC Solar Energy Installer Training
SECO and Austin Community College (ACC) Workforce Development Center offers the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Entry Level Certificate Program for one year. The course began in the spring of 2006. The course filled up to capacity and ACC immediately added a second class for the first semester of the course which also filled to capacity. ACC has elected to designate Renewable Energy as a new course schedule selection. As a result of this program, solar contractors have asked for recommendations from the instructors as they interview for open positions for their companies, and several graduates of the course are now working for local solar companies or starting their own solar company.
ACC Renewable Energy Course Schedule
Final Report
Rural Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Outreach and Education
This project funds educational outreach by the Texas Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA). ORCA staff will identify and assist in the integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency in rural areas of Texas. This project allows SECO to provide renewable energy education and economic development opportunities, and coordinates the efforts of a collective body of government, higher education institutes and industry identified as the Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy.
Rural Alliance for Renewable Energy Web Site
Renewable Energy Teacher Training & Supplemental Educational Materials Development
The Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES), Conservation Services Group and SECO developed a comprehensive teacher training workshop series on renewable energy with educational supplements to correspond with and enhance SECO's Innovative Energy Demonstration Program's existing outreach and marketing program materials. They developed and facilitated a student competition for all grade levels that promotes or demonstrates the use of renewable energy. They also assisted SECO in the update and continued maintenance of the Infinite Power of Texas web site. The newly-designed teacher resource guides are user- friendly and offer excellent teaching tools for the classroom. TXSES delivered teacher workshops in nine of the Texas Education Agency's Education Service Centers (ESCs) during 2005-2006. Additional workshops and an improved student competition are planned for the remaining 11 ESCs in 2007.
Wind on Schools
Texas A&M University's Brooks Energy and Sustainability Laboratory and wind power experts from the Alternative Energy Institute at West Texas A&M University will provide a hands-on engineering design experience that is fully integrated into the engineering magnet school curriculums at both Laredo ISD and United ISD in Laredo, Texas. The students will experience all aspects of the engineering manufacturing processes and will produce two 1-2 kW prototype wind turbines for each school. Ultimately, these turbines will be installed in or near the school campus to provide power to a designated site. This will allow SECO and the school districts to monitor long-term use of these systems.
Texas Solar for Schools : Sun Power Lighting Schools, Teaching Students
SECO has funded 31 small-scale solar energy systems to school districts across the state. Each school receives a nominal 1 kW system, a web-based monitoring system, and several additional hands-on learning tools to enhance the educational component of the project as well as student and staff training. During the installation, students are encouraged to participate as they are introduced to educational materials developed as part of the statewide campaign to educate Texans about renewable energy resources. SECO assists teachers by providing lesson plans that correspond to the renewable energy fact sheets. The lesson plans provide additional ideas for hands-on projects that use readily available materials and cover several areas of study. For additional information see Texas Solar for Schools.
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