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from the President & CEO
Jane Weissman
Stuck in Silos
We operate in silos and it's confining. The clean energy landscape consists of many separate corridors pigeonholing energy efficiency from renewable energy, solar from wind and even solar from solar. The result is splits not only among technologies but also with policies, government programs, codes, training, and even conferences.
It is not unusual that energy efficiency and renewable energy programs for utility customers are designed and implemented without coordination between the two. The benefits of routine integration of distributed renewable energy and energy efficiency programs could be significant by coupling reduced consumption with on-site or near-site generation.
Government and private funding streams often focus on one or the other instead of supporting or even demanding a unified approach. Conferences focus on one renewable technology or on energy efficiency or building retrofits, missing the opportunity to optimize the synergies that could be created with a blended agenda and trade show.
Positioning energy efficiency and renewable energy as a single major strategy and plan is not a new idea, but is slow in happening. It's time to pick up the pace (what do you say, Mr. Sklar?)
At IREC, we are taking some steps in this direction. For the past few years, we have made a concentrated and successful effort to expand our credentialing program to cover weatherization, energy efficiency and renewable energy training.
Starting this year, we have created a new category in our National i-Awards for Best of 2013 Closing the Divide projects, looking for innovative and inventive ways of bridging renewable energy and energy efficiency (The i-Awards application can be found here and are due by July 1.)
IREC has taken a leadership position on ANSI's Energy Efficiency Standardization Coordination Collaborative, Working Group 5. And we have some other ideas and action steps on the drawing board.
In keeping with the spring spirit of blossoming ideas, IREC has been busy publishing some of the most thoughtful papers and updated best practices.
- IREC's revised Interconnection Model Procedures came out in April.
- In May came another report - Unlocking DG Value: A PURPA-based approach to promoting DG growth - ways to accurately reflect many of the positive contributions of distributed generation.
- A concept paper was released last week on Integrated Distribution Planning, describing a proactive approach for accommodating high penetrations of distributed generation resources.
- The 2012 PV Solar Installation Market Trends Report will be out at the end of the month.
- And, we're working hard on other reports and revised models.
Do keep checking our new, improved and way cool web site for more news and tools that help us shape our future with clean energy.
Talk with you soon.
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Regulatory Reform | Blog
by Laurel Passera
Interconnection: a foundational policy for market expansion
Recently, IREC updated its renowned Model Interconnection Procedures, based on evolving best practices from recent state rulemakings.These procedures contain a number of important changes that provide more transparency and certainty in the interconnection process, without compromising safety, reliability or power quality. More
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IREC Credentialing Program
by Pat Fox
IREC and ECA Announce First Energy Efficiency Instructor Certifications
Three instructors from the Energy Coordinating Agency of Philadelphia, Inc. (ECA) were recently awarded IREC's Affiliated Master Trainer Certification and Affiliated Instructor Certification, making them the first in the country to be awarded with these prestigious designations in the energy efficiency field. More
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Solar Instructor Training Network by Joe Sarubbi
Rocky Mountain Region Trains with Oglala Lakota College
The Rocky Mountain Regional Training Provider (RTP) teamed up with the Oglala Lakota College's construction program and installed a fully-functional solar-powered mobile construction trailer that will be used to power community events, bring solar education to tribal schools and provide power while building houses on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. More
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Small Wind News
by Larry Sherwood
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 ICLEI's Solar Outreach Partnership
Developed by DOE, this comprehensive resource helps local governments build local, sustainable solar markets. Featuring new market developments and innovations to advance local solar markets that emerged since the first edition was published (2009), this updated version features recent lessons learned and successes from the original 25 Solar America Cities and other communities advancing solar energy. The guide is available as a download.
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of note...
Join the SunShot Initiative, in coordination with the Solar Outreach Partnership, for the first of six webinars in the Solar Action Webinar Series:
- Successes from the Rooftop Solar Challenge, June 14, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT. The webinar, "Innovation and Success in Organizing and Strategizing a Local Solar Effort," will highlight recent efforts to streamline solar processes in the metropolitan Kansas City region through the DOE Rooftop Solar Challenge. Register
- "Innovation and Success in Solar Permitting and Inspections," June 26, 3:30-4:30 pm EDT. Register
- "Shared Solar Programs: Opportunities & Challenges," July 9, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT. Register
- "Innovation and Success in Solar Financing" July 10, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT. Register
- "Innovation and Success in Planning and Zoning," July 24, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT. Register
- "Innovation and Success in Solar Net Metering and Interconnection," August 7, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT. Register
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The prestigious i-Awards honoring innovation, ingenuity and inspiration will be presented during IREC's October meeting, on the Expo floor of Solar Power International in Chicago. Now, in its 20th year, this strong national competition
will set apart the Best of 2013 in renewable energy and energy efficiency and acknowledgment of winners will be widespread. Deadline to submit is July 1. More
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Latest IREC Report
From IREC & Sandia comes Integrated Distribution Planning, a concept paper outlining a strategy to accommodate high penetrations of distributed generation (DG) resources on the electric grid.
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The message is simple. As the RE/EE industry grows, so does the demand for quality training. Quality training programs that meet the highest standards and result in marketable, job-related skills stand out from the rest. The IREC Credentialing Program offers that distinction. More. |
Read IREC's Newsletters
The IREC Report
Connecting to the Grid
Small Wind News
The Credentialing Chronicle
The SITN Quarterly subscribe |
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JUNE
IREC, VoteSolar, Clean Power Finance, Lawrence Berkeley Labs
1:00-2:00 pm EDT
Alfred, NY
Stevens Point, WI
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JULY
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Like what you see here? Have suggestions? Comments? Ideas? Let us hear from you.
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About IREC
IREC believes clean energy is critical to achieving a sustainable and economically strong future. To pave this clean energy path, IREC works to expand consumer access to clean energy; generates information and objective analysis grounded in best practices and standards; and leads programs to build a quality clean energy workforce, including a unique credentialing program for training programs and instructors. Since 1982, IREC's programs and policies have benefitted energy consumers, policymakers, utilities and the clean energy industry. www.irecusa.org
Disclaimer
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this newsletter. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC's endorsement or recommendation.
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