The NREL Education Center will be closed for a special event from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.

NREL will showcase a fuel cell hybrid vehicle along with a small stationary fuel cell system at the Capitol Hill People’s Fair at Denver's Civic Center Park. NREL representatives will be on hand to answer questions and give away educational literature about renewable energy, alternative fuels, and advanced vehicles.

Presented by Steve Lommele, NREL Project Lead, Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals Project

The Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals project (http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/guidelines.html) is a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the home energy upgrade industry to support an effective and highly skilled home performance workforce. 

DOE’s Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program (WIP) oversees the direction and delivery of the project, with support from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This After Hours Lecture presentation will feature an update from NREL on the three components of the Guidelines project, including:

• Standard Work Specifications (SWS) and the SWS Online Tool, which allow homeowners to establish uniform expectations with home energy upgrade workers and contractors regarding energy audits and the scope and quality of home performance work.
• Home Energy Professional Certifications that prove competency of home energy upgrade professionals, resulting in improved service, fewer callbacks, and reduced installation errors.
• Accredited training programs that support the new advanced certifications, giving homeowners peace of mind and confidence in worker qualifications and their commitment to quality.

Steve Lommele of the Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals project team will provide insight on how to leverage the resources developed through this project to understand the definition of quality work and distinguish qualified workers.

Steve Lommele is a communications project lead at NREL. He conducts stakeholder education and outreach activities for the Guidelines project. Previously, Steve led community engagement efforts at NREL for the Solar America Cities project under DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program. He holds an MAS in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
 

Self-reliance, sustainability, and “do-it-yourself” renewable energy are the focus of this three-day event. Learn how to craft a bountiful life requiring fewer resources. Rendezvous with Electric car clubs as they vow to again make “John Day or Bust.” Admission includes over 50 free workshops, and 30+ exhibitors will show you tools for energy independence and lifestyle self-reliance, including solar, wind and agricultural resources. Cost is $5 per adult per day, with weekend, youth, and family discounts, volunteers and children under 12 free. Camping available on-site (free for volunteers).

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will present the 26th Annual Industry Growth Forum December 3-4, 2013

The upcoming 26th Annual Industry Growth Forum will feature presentations from 30 emerging clean energy companies, provocative panels led by thought leaders, one-on-one meetings, and organized networking opportunities. Since the Forum began, it has grown to be the perfect venue for growing companies to prepare, refine, and present their businesses to a wide range of investors. Each year, the best presenters are awarded cash prizes and commercialization services from NREL. This focus on clean energy innovation is having an impact on the industry—since 2003, the presenting prototype, pre-commercial, and expanding cleantech companies who have presented have collectively raised more than $4 billion in growth financing.

To learn more about NREL's technology partnership and commercialization programs, see its Commercialization & Technology Transfer website.

This low-cost ($200), weekends-only class runs from Jan. 31 to April 19 and gives you the industry-requested skills for an entry-level wind technician position. Sign up online, click on Schedule and Registration, Alternative Energy-Sustainability.