Previous Events
Hosted by the Center for Strategic Policy Innovation
NREL Modeling Tools Training Course - Our First Real-time Training Event
May 2-18, 2023
In May 2023, the Center for Strategic Policy Innovation trained and graduated sixteen (16) clean energy/resiliency champions from across the U.S. – including one or more representatives of local government, critical infrastructure, native tribal nations, workforce training institutions, community-based organization (CBOs) and regional/national NGOs (including two trainees from Europe, doing projects in Africa). The personal instruction for this first-of-its-kind nationwide training program on REopt and SAM clean energy/resiliency modeling tools included a comprehensive, in-depth curriculum and personalized expert instruction for a hands-on (real-time) online training and certification through Arizona State University (ASU) and its Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS), including instruction from NREL experts.
NREL Modeling Tools Case Study - Solar PV/Microgrid Pilot Site
February 16, 2023
On February 16, 2023, the Center for Strategic Policy hosted the “NREL Modeling Tools Case Study - Solar PV/Microgrid Pilot Site” webinar, the final webinar in a three-part series. The webinar focused on a pilot project in Lansing, MI, that is deploying the solar energy/resiliency modeling capabilities of NREL’s publicly available Renewable Energy Optimization Tool (REopt) and System Advisor Model (SAM). Spearheaded by the Center, the Lansing Pilot is being conducted with the support, cooperation, and assistance of DOEs National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), past and present Michigan State University faculty members, Arizona State University’s Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) – who performed the solar/battery storage/microgrid modeling at the site using the NREL modeling tools – and city officials from the City of Lansing, Michigan.
Summer Internship Program - Wharton Undergraduate Energy Group
May - August, 2021
During the summer of 2021, the Center for Strategic Policy Innovation partnered with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Undergraduate Energy Group for the Summer Solar Initiative (SSI), a summer internship program. Through this SSI summer intern program, twelve University of Pennsylvania students from the Wharton Undergraduate Energy Group (WUEG) had the opportunity to work with the Center on a part-time basis to learn more about the policies and real-world potential of the community solar and energy resiliency space. The interns attended webinars by the Center on solar energy buildout, resiliency, environmental justice and renewable energy financing. The interns conducted research for the Center on federal funding opportunities for solar power, energy resiliency and environmental/energy justice (identifying thirty-five grant opportunities), and conducted solar energy feasibility modeling for several potential solar PV and energy storage sites.
Using XENDEE Tool for Modeling Local Clean Energy and Microgrid Projects
May 12, 2021
On May 12, 2021, the Center for Strategic Policy Innovation hosted a webinar featuring top microgrid scholars/specialists from Arizona State University’s Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS). This webinar was the second in a three-part series designed to help local and county governments develop in-house feasibility and modeling capabilities to advance clean energy and energy resiliency buildout within their communities. LEAPS experts Dr. Nathan Johnson, Dr. James Nelson, and Dr. Samantha Janko led an in-depth discussion on how local governments can utilize the private sector XENDEE platform in the renewable energy feasibility study and modeling process, including some comparisons with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s publicly available SAM and REopt tools. LEAPS is the primary training partner for XENDEE and uses the XENDEE platform to teach energy system planning, design, financing, and operational concepts to over 100+ industry professionals, veterans, and students a year.
Leveraging NREL’s SAM & REopt Tools for Local Clean Energy and Microgrids
March 25, 2021
On March 25, 2021, the Center for Strategic Policy Innovation hosted the first webinar in a three-part series designed to help local and county governments develop in-house feasibility and modeling capabilities to advance clean energy and energy resiliency buildout within their communities. The webinar focused on utilizing the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s publicly available REopt and SAM tools, and Open DSS, for effective planning, design, and implementation of renewable energy and microgrid projects.
Our program featured a panel of experts from NREL, including Nate Blair, Kate Anderson, and Xiang Li. These speakers provided an overview of both SAM and REopt for those who are new to the tools, as well as Open DSS, including an in-depth review of how these tools can be applied to site identification, feasibility assessments, financial modeling, and system design.
Getting City Clean Energy Projects "Shovel Ready" In Time For Federal Stimulus Monies
March 11, 2021
On March 11, 2021, Kevin Daehnke and Charlie Howland, both members of the Center’s Board of Directors, provided a webinar for the Municipal Sustainable Energy Forum entitled “Getting City Clean Energy Projects “Shovel Ready” in Time for Federal Stimulus Monies.” In this webinar, Mr. Daehnke provided insights on what it means to be “shovel ready” in order to access grant monies for local renewable energy projects and how to best position projects for future federal and state grant funding. The presentation ranged from identifying “low hanging fruit” projects, to obtaining regulatory approvals, to securing private sector financing strategies.
Clean Growth Incubator Rollout Event
October 14, 2020
On October 14, 2020, the Center and Arizona State University’s Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) co-sponsored an event designed to launch the Clean Growth Incubator. The program included a detailed overview of the Clean Growth Incubator’s approach to the buildout of a local clean energy economy, and described how local government stakeholders can become eligible to participate in the Incubator's training and buildout Platform.
The Rollout event featured a Speakers Session, including experts from LEAPS, Nutter Consulting, Land Art Generator, Curtis Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle, Schneider Electric, and Pearlman & Miranda. The program provided valuable insights into several topics highlighted by the efforts of the Clean Growth Incubator.
Program Highlights
Microgrid Bootcamp: The research team at ASU’s Laboratory for Energy And Power Solutions (LEAPS) demonstrated their Microgrid Bootcamp training program.
The Promise & Challenges of Solar & Other Clean Energy Infrastructure on Environmentally Impaired Land: Legal experts explained how to navigate liability pitfalls and create viable renewable energy projects on contaminated landfills and closed industrial sites.
Designing Renewable Energy Projects as “Art”: The principals at Land Art Generator demonstrated how to make renewable energy attractive to, and embraced by, the community.
Using Solar PV to Create District Energy cooling infrastructure: The LEAPS team from ASU showcased their University’s six million gallon solar PV/chiller approach for cooling a campus.
Using Social Impact Financing for Renewable Energy and Microgrids: Principal of the Center for Strategic Policy Innovation walked through how to jumpstart projects using Private Activity bonds and taxable bonds together with social impact monies.