Breaking News

Learn the skills to prepare you for a career in a burgeoning field where new opportunities are opening every day at a five-day seminar on energy management being presented by Great River Energy and the Association for Energy Engineers (AEE) at Great River’s headquarters in Maple Grove, Minn., Feb. 14 to 18. 

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Training provides an in-depth learning and problem-solving forum for those who want a broader understanding of the latest energy cost reduction techniques and strategies than AEE’s shorter courses provide. The program begins by examining the basic fundamentals in all key areas of energy management, then systematically moves to “working level” knowledge about specific principles and techniques needed to really get the job done.

In only five days, students will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to effectively apply state-of-the-art principles of energy management, and achieve control over their organization’s energy costs, whether they are managing a single facility or developing a program for multiple buildings. This is AEE’s most requested program and has been completed by thousands of professionals since 1994.

Basic skills required

This course assumes basic problem-solving skills, including quick and accurate use of a hand calculator, ability to use basic algebra and to set up problem solution expressions and calculations from a written problem statement. Those needing a refresher program in these skills may wish to enroll in the Basics of Energy Management self-study seminar prior to taking this seminar.

Utility employees and engineering consultants who would like to become Certified Energy Managers should register today. Individuals who do not wish to pursue certification and sit for the exam are welcomed to enroll in the course, too. The cost is $2,000 per student, and includes continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks each day; course book; proctored exam on fifth day and the cost of the CEM application and exam. 

Great River must receive registration and payment by Jan. 10, 2011. After you register, a copy of the book titled “Guide to Energy Management” will be mailed to you so you can prepare for the seminar and exam prior to the actual seminar. Although the cost of the exam is included, you must download your personal application.

If the minimum number of attendees is not met, the seminar will be cancelled and fees refunded. If the class is held, the seminar is non-refundable.

Deadline for nominations: Dec. 31, 2010

It is time to honor one electric cooperative for its leadership in wind power. All electric cooperatives that are members of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) are eligible to apply to be the 2010 Wind Cooperative of the Year.

Cooperatives can nominate themselves or other systems, and there is no cost to enter. The Wind Cooperative of the Year Award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America initiative in partnership with the NRECA.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the award. Past winners are Kodiak Electric Association, Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Associated Electric Cooperative, Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Holy Cross Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and Great River Energy. The 2010 winner will be recognized at the NRECA TechAdvantage Conference in Orlando, Fla., on March 8 to 11, 2011. Please submit nominations (page two of form) to:

Randy Manion
Western Area Power Administration
P.O. Box 281213
Lakewood, CO 80228-8213
720-962-7271

by close of business on Dec. 31, 2010.

Western’s Upper Great Plains region (UGPR) is offering renewable energy certificates (RECs) on a first-come, first-served basis to Federal and non-Federal Western customers.

The RECs, from facilities in North and South Dakota, are an attribute-only product from a wind energy purchase Western completed to supplement reduced hydropower generation from the recent drought. UGPR currently has approximately 273,000 calendar-year-2010 RECs and anticipates an additional 600,000 RECs through calendar year 2012.

For more about Western’s RECs sale, please contact Mr. Pete Kinney at 605-882-7567 or Mr. Mark Messerli at 605-882-7564.

Dec. 9, 2 p.m. EST

The Solar Electric Power Association’s (SEPA) annual solar fact-finding mission visited the “Land of the Rising Sun” this year. Japan was an early leader in solar technologies with a sustainable long-term rooftop PV market. With its strong focus on integrating high levels of PV into the grid and a forward-looking national energy policy, the country offered an excellent learning environment for utility executives and managers. This webinar will share the lessons learned from SEPA’s trip to Japan and new report with a broader SEPA audience. Register today.