Colorado Renewable Energy Career Pathways Dr. Cynthia Howell

An energy innovation hub solving supply chain challenges for high-tech materials in critical demand with limited substitutes. CMI evaluates and monitors shortages of materials and speeds the discovery and deployment of technical solutions CMI brings together over 300 researchers from national laboratories, universities and industry, led by the Ames Laboratory CERI facilitates multiple Energy Center projects

RE Career Pathways Defining Energy Technologies and Services Careers Chart The “Defining Energy Technologies and Services” careers chart provides a snapshot view of energy technology careers at the technician level. This wall-mountable poster is a great quick reference for students, technicians, employers, educators, and government representatives. ATEEC has collected information from expert practitioners and educators in the field to generate the 2008 Defining Energy Technologies and Services report, distilling a wide ranging field of occupations into an easy-to-understand overview of the energy field technician occupations and job functions. The chart from this report is provided here as a mini-poster (11″ x 17″) to use as a quick reference to the energy technology and services field. PDF file Author(s): Advanced Technology Environmental Education Center Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, IA

According to Expert: Dr. Harrison Fell, Economist, CSM Economics and Business Department, CSM: Pros:  Wind is cheaper that solar however Federal Tax incentives have caused solar to grow (leasing options)  The most recent update, SB , requires cooperative utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewables  Rural co-ops striving for 10% RE for 2020 (Tri State generation)  Clean Power Plan—reduce emissions by 20-30% by 2020—how each state gets there is their decision (energy efficiency could be big here)  Anticipate steady and more rapid growth in solar and energy efficiency Cons:  Low gas prices (demand for energy is nearly flat—price for power is low; natural Gas industry estimates low costs for next 15 years)  Production Tax Credit no longer available at the end of 2016, the 30% Residential Tax Credit will no longer be available and the Commercial Tax Credit will be reduced to 10% The New Energy Economy

Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), 2007 The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) passed in 2007 Increase the sustainability of our energy supply and secure our energy future set aggressive targets for renewable fuels production Calling for increase in renewable fuels from 9 billion gallons in 2008 to 36 billion gallons in 2022

Renewable Portfolio Standards State Policy Framework – Trained Workforce Needed

Natural gas, renewables projected to provide larger shares of electricity generation EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2015 (AEO2015)Annual Energy Outlook 2015

Renewable Energy Jobs, by Industry

CC investments in RE Colorado Mountain College, 8 campuses Basic solar Installer certificate (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification). Energy Efficient Facilities certificate Applied Engineering Tech. AA degree – Course: AEC Sustainable Building Systems Red Rocks Community College (ATE-Green Jobs) Renewable Energy Technology Solar Thermal Specialty Solar Photovoltaic Specialty Solar Photovoltaic Business Owner Specialty Solar Thermal Business Owner Specialty Arapahoe Community College Hybrid auto technician degree funded by Toyota, Honda, GM

CC investments in RE, contd. Front Range Community College Manufacturing and Energy Technology Degree – Preparing students for the clean energy field Aims Community College Applied and Environmental Technologies – Wind Turbine Service Technicians Larimer County CC (WY) wind technicians Duke energy; Vestas Integrated Systems Tech/Wind Energy Most campuses delivering duel field/hybrid courses (electrical engineering/solar technician) to prepare for multiple work opportunities. Industry partnerships a must for sustainability of programming.

Resources Colorado Renewable Energy Society (speakers, events and Colorado policy) AWEA - American Wind Energy AssociationAWEA - American Wind Energy Association (Updated workforce and production data) Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center Defining Energy Technologies and Services Report Defining Energy Technologies and Services Careers Chart NREL EERE US Energy Information Administration, EIA; Current Trends and energy for Kids/Teachers; Renewable Energy Resources Teacher & student resources Veterans Green Jobs veteransgreenjobs.org Science to the classroom Critical Materials Institute