NRECA Providing Online Training for Integration of Renewable Energy on Co-op Lines
Dec. 5, 2013
The U.S. Department of Energy will fund a $7.3 million project to create online and in-person training modules for students and utility engineers on the integration of renewable energy and microgrids.
The U.S. Department of Energy will fund a $7.3 million project to create online and in-person training modules for students and utility engineers on the integration of renewable energy and microgrids. A coalition that includes Missouri University of Science and Technology, NRECA and other academic and utility partners will provide $2.3 million of the total $7.3 million cost.
NRECA will make the training modules available to cooperative engineers through “Cooperative University,” an online learning platform.
The project was funded under a DOE initiative to promote renewable energy deployment: “Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment” (GEARED), part of DOE's Sunshot Initiative.
Electric cooperatives are increasing the amount of owned and purchased renewable energy capacity. In 2013, the co-ops’ collective renewable energy capacity (excluding federal hydropower) exceeds 5 GW.
The coalition consists of the following organizations:
Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Ameren Corporation, St. Louis, MO
City Utilities, Springfield, MO
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Perfect Power Institute
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