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| News and Events: Technical Assistance, Incentives, and Funding Opportunities: Upcoming Events and Activities: Resources and Guides:
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| OEP Accepting Applications for K-12 Energy Education Camps and Workshops Across TN
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| TDEC OEP has a long history of supporting K-12 Energy Education through professional development and student learning opportunities. Among OEP’s current offerings are Energy Education Camps for K-12 Educators. These Camps link the broad topic of energy to the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and provide educators with the knowledge and resources necessary to teach energy concepts. OEP plans to conduct three Energy Education Camps for K-12 Educators in 2019. The Camps are comprised of three-day training sessions and provide energy-related lesson plans and resources designed for use in the K-12 classroom. These lessons promote energy literacy as it relates to STEM subjects and introduce educators to topics including, but not limited to, electricity generation, consumption, and measurement; renewable energy; and energy efficiency and conservation. 2019 Camps will be hosted at the following dates/locations: - June 18-20: Cumberland Mountain State Park
- June 25-27: Roan Mountain State Park
- July 17-19: Natchez Trace State Park
Energy Education Camps are offered free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. All participating educators will receive $200 in materials to teach energy education topics in the classroom or afterschool programs, as well as receive a certificate of participation to receive professional development hours. Click here to access the 2019 Energy Education Camps application. Applications are due by April 5, 2019. Click here to learn more about the Camps program. For questions about the Camps program or OEP’s other K-12 Energy Education activities, please contact Angela McGee at Angela.McGee@tn.gov or 615-532-7816.
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| TN Universities Competing in U.S. DOE's CyberForce Competition U.S. DOE’s CyberForce Competition challenges university students across the U.S. in an annual energy cyber infrastructure defense scenario. The program provides hands-on cyber education to students and professionals, promotes awareness of the nexus between critical infrastructure and cyber security, and increases stakeholder understanding of energy cyber security within a real world scenario. Participating students will congregate from November 30-December 1, 2018 at national labs across the country, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Four Tennessee universities will compete: University of Memphis; University of Tennessee, Knoxville; University of Tennessee, Chattanooga; and Tennessee Technological University. TDEC OEP is proud to sponsor this year's event. Good luck, teams!
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| Erlanger Co-Generation Plant to Cut Energy Use and Carbon Emissions
As Chattanooga's biggest hospital with more than a million square feet of buildings, Erlanger Medical Center is one of the city’s biggest energy users. In fact, Erlanger spends nearly $6 million a year on electricity and natural gas to power, heat, and cool its downtown facilities. To combat these energy costs, Erlanger has constructed a co-generation, combined heat and power system, which is expected to go into operation in November and cut energy expenses by up to $1.5 million a year. The system will cost $13 million, half of which is being financed with a $6.75 million grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Learn more about this story by clicking here.
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| American Museum of Science and Energy Opens New Location in Oak Ridge
The American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) was established in 1949 to provide educational programs focused on U.S. DOE’s past, present, and future missions. AMSE has been considered one of the top tourist attractions in the Knoxville area, and it attracts about 65,000 visitors per year. Among other activities, AMSE provides interactive curriculum-based classroom programs for the general public and for school groups; houses permanent and temporary exhibits; provides live demonstrations; hosts evening events; and holds summer camp programs for students. AMSE is also the starting point for bus tours of historic sites on the federal government’s Oak Ridge Reservation, and it will host the National Park Service (NPS) programs and events for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Earlier this month, ASME opened its new location in Oak Ridge. The new 18,000-square-foot space includes a newly-designed exhibit gallery featuring state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, as well as a lecture hall and classroom facilities. Exhibits in the new AMSE fall within one of five major categories: Energy Leadership; Big Science; National Security; Environmental Restoration; and the Manhattan Project. All tell the story of Oak Ridge’s contributions to scientific and engineering advancements that began decades ago and continue today. Learn more at https://amse.org.
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| TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, INCENTIVES, AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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| Funding Opportunities and Free Renewable Energy Assessments Available for TN Farms and Rural Businesses
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements throughout the year. This program helps increase American energy independence by increasing the private sector supply of renewable energy and decreasing the demand for energy through energy efficiency improvements. Over time, these investments can also help lower energy costs for small businesses and agricultural producers. Funding for Fiscal Year 2018 is available in a variety of forms, each under its own application process and timeline: - Grants and/or Loans of $20,000 or less
- Applications are due April 1, 2019 (depending on funding cycle).
- Unrestricted Grants and/or Loans
- Applications are due April 1, 2019.
- Energy Audit and Renewable Energy Development Assistance Grants
- Applications are due January 31, 2019.
- Guaranteed Loans
- Applications are accepted on a continuous cycle.
Funds may be used for renewable energy systems, such as biomass (for example: biodiesel and ethanol, anaerobic digesters, and solid fuels); geothermal for electric generation or direct use; hydropower below 30 MW; hydrogen; small and large wind generation; small and large solar generation; and ocean (tidal, current, thermal) generation. Funds may also be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of energy efficiency improvements, such as high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC); insulation; lighting; cooling or refrigeration units; doors and windows; electric, solar, or gravity pumps for sprinkler pivots; switching from a diesel to electric irrigation motor; and replacement of energy-inefficient equipment. Click here to learn more and to apply for REAP financial assistance.
Additionally, the new Tennessee Renewable Energy Assessment Program is offering free renewable energy assessments of farms and rural businesses on a first-come, first-served basis. Funded through USDA’s Rural Development Office, the program is operated by the Southeast Tennessee RC&D Council, EnSave, Inc., and the Tennessee Poultry Association. The assessments provide third-party evaluations that determine a proper size for a project (such as solar or wind) based on the amount of energy that a farm wants to offset. They also provide unbiased information on return-on-investment and lifetime financial projections to aid in business decision-making. Most importantly, the assessments can be used to apply for REAP, which offers grants up to 25% of project cost and loan guarantees up to 75% of project cost. Interested entities should call EnSave directly at (800) 732-1399 to sign up for an assessment.
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| U.S. DOE Announces Funding for Solar Grid Integration
The Advanced Systems Integration for Solar Technologies (ASSIST): Situational Awareness and Resilient Solutions for Critical Infrastructure funding opportunity will strengthen the integration of solar on the electricity grid, especially at critical infrastructure sites; improve the resilience of the nation’s electricity grid; and streamline technology transfer challenges. Applicants are encouraged to work with state, local, tribal, and territory owners and operators to take proactive steps to manage risk and strengthen the security and resilience of the nation’s critical infrastructure. On receiving an award, recipients will be required to submit interoperability and cybersecurity plans that detail how they will implement and maintain these aspects of their solution. There are two interrelated areas of interest in this funding opportunity: - R&D and Technology Transfer for Solar Situational Awareness
- R&D, Technology Transfer, and Validation of Proactive Resilience Solutions
Prior to submitting a full application for this opportunity, a mandatory letter of intent is due on November 14, 2018 at 5:00PM ET with full applications due by December 7. A concept paper is not required for this funding opportunity. U.S. DOE will be hosting an informational webinar on the funding opportunity on November 1 at 1:00 PM ET, and interested parties may register for the webinar here. For more information on the funding opportunity, click here.
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| U.S. DOE Collegiate Wind Competition Applications Open
The U.S. DOE Collegiate Wind Competition challenges interdisciplinary teams of undergraduate students from a variety of programs to offer a unique solution on a complex wind energy project, providing each student with real-world experience as they prepare to enter the wind industry workforce. Participating teams will be challenged to complete the following tasks: - Develop and deliver a business plan;
- Build and test a wind turbine; and
- Plan a wind project.
The Collegiate Wind Competition 2020 will be held at AWEA WINDPOWER in Denver, Colorado, in June 2020. Competing teams are selected through a competitive solicitation, and interested university teams must apply to compete by November 30, 2018 at 4:00 PM Mountain Time. Learn more about the competition here.
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| U.S. DOE and Freelancer.com Announce Manufacturing Innovator Challenge
U.S. DOE has partnered with Freelancer.com to crowdsource solutions that increase manufacturing energy productivity in the U.S. Their Manufacturing Innovator Challenge will promote next generation manufacturing technologies that keep jobs in America, ensure products are made in the U.S., and strengthen America's industrial base. The Challenge offers applicants an opportunity to submit innovative design concepts for additive manufacturing and other topics within several technology areas, including bioenergy, buildings, fuel cells, and vehicle technologies. Individual prizes ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 will be awarded to innovators with the best solutions for today's manufacturing challenges. The Challenge will give out awards under six opportunities (two of which are currently open), including the following: - Additive Manufacturing for Disaster Response – applications accepted until December 7, 2018
- Solid State Lighting (SSL) Manufacturing Concept – applications accepted until December 7, 2018
- Novel Concepts for Large Scale 3D Printing
- Biobased Additive Manufacturing (BAM) Prize
- Low-Cost Portable Refrigerant Leak Detector for Residential Use
- Lightweight Turbocharger Turbine Wheel
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| UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
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| Webinar: Lighting Toolkit for K-12 School Districts
U.S. DOE’s Better Buildings Program will host a webinar on November 6, 2018 at 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET to provide comprehensive guidance on lighting optimization for K-12 classrooms as well as school building performance and efficiency. Presenters from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will discuss the benefits, costs, and best practices of efficiency solutions like lighting controls, tunable lighting, troffer retrofits, and more. To register for the webinar, click here.
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| U.S. Solar Decathlon Competition Guide and Application
U.S. DOE recently released a 2019-2020 Competition Guide to provide information on its upcoming solar design challenge, the Solar Decathlon. The purpose of this collegiate competition is to take buildings in the United States to the next level through a variety of advancements, including making them more affordable for American families; incorporating grid-interactive technologies; improving construction productivity; providing greater comfort and healthier indoor environments; and optimizing operational efficiency with resilient solutions that will stand the test of time. Participating students get hands-on experience and unique training that prepares them to enter the clean energy workforce. The winners of the Solar Decathlon competition are selected from the teams that best blend technology, market potential, and design excellence with smart energy efficiency and production.
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| Tennessee Valley Solar Conference
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| Southeast Renewable Energy Summit
At the Southeast Renewable Energy Summit, attendees will learn about the key trends impacting renewable project development, finance, and investment in the regional market and will have a chance to meet utility procurement managers. The Summit will be held November 7-9 in Atlanta, GA. Click here to register for the event.
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| TAEBC's Opportunities in Energy Meeting
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) is a champion of Tennessee’s advanced energy economy. TAEBC will host its annual Opportunities in Energy meeting at The Square Room, Knoxville on November 29, 2018. The meeting will feature speakers from the Energy Mentor Network, PYA, Ameresco, Stone Mountain Technologies, Wacker Polysilicon, Schneider Electric, the University of Tennessee, TVA, ORNL, and the Howard Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. Register for the meeting here.
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| SEIA Releases New Guide for Residential Solar Installations
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) recently released an updated Installation Best Practices Guide for Residential Portfolios. This resource provides recommended best practices to facilitate high-quality and consistent residential solar projects, and it advises on everything from solar contractor qualifications to the design and installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. SEIA’s broader objective in developing and maintaining this document is to build confidence among potential solar customers, regulators, investors, rating agencies, and other stakeholders and to emphasize that residential solar systems are a valuable home improvement, a consistent and long-term electric generating resource, and a credit-worthy investment asset class.
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