Renewable Energy Production and Use

Download the full workshop schedule in PDF format.

Saturday, September 13th

Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) and Associated Case Studies

Bill Haman, Iowa Energy Center
9:10 am, CEEE 011

Covers the basics of the Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program and will discusses new case studies developed from AERLP financed projects.

Introduction to Photovoltaics

Dennis Pottratz, GoSolar
9:10 am, Industrial Technology Center 3

Renewable Energy-based Engineering Technology Projects

Reg Pecen, University of Northern Iowa
10:10 am, CEEE 016

Learn about and see renewable energy projects designed by UNI seniors in the Electrical & Information Engineering Technology (EIET) program including an electric boat, solar digital display, solar-powered lawn mower, and a 5.5 kW solar-wind-hydro system.

This talk will address how solar photovoltaics work, factors to consider in choosing a phototvoltaic installation, and best practices in their use.

Wind Turbines in Iowa

Paul Roeder, Eco Energy LLC
10:10 am, Industrial Technology Center 3

Construction of Utility Size Wind Farms in Iowa

Kirk Kraft, Iberdrola Renewable Energy
11:10 am, Industrial Technology Center 3

This presentation will highlight some of the problems and opportunities to be found during the construction of a 100 MW plus wind farm. How we deal with topography, landowner and farmer concerns, as well as local governmental issues will also be discussed.

Wind Turbines: Their Role for a Sustainable World

Marty Stimson, Clipper Wind
2:10 pm, Industrial Technology Center 3

A representative from Clipper Wind will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of large scale turbines as well as an overview of the role for wind energy in developing a sustainable state, country and world.

Locally Owned Wind Generation

Gregg Heide, Iowa Farmers Union
3:10 pm, Industrial Technology Center 3

Basic off-grid PV

Dan Alway, Low Keep Refrigeration
3:10 pm, Outside Tent

This workshop will demonstrate a working off-grid PV system- it will be powering the workshop tents! The components necessary to make a PV system work off-grid will be discussed.

Running the World on Renewables

Bill Leighty, Leighty Foundation
4:10 pm, CEEE 011

Discussion will focus on how using hydrogen and ammonia fuels, transmission pipelines and Annual-scale Firming Energy Storage to power the world.

Sunday, September 14th

Photovoltiacs

John Root, Rootcellar
10:30 am, CEEE 011

This presentation provides an overview of the Photovoltaic industry. It begins by discussing the history of PV, explaining the PV effect, describing cell manufacturing technology and moves into comparing system output to utility demand and discussing how PV is a value added product for utilities. The presentation also covers the marketing of PV systems, market challenges, customer interests and product attributes and solutions for overcoming these barriers.

Inverters

Dennis Pottratz, GoSolar
11:30 am, CEEE 011

This presentation explains the issues you need to consider in choosing an inverter, whether you use solar or wind power and whether or not you have batteries in your system.

Renewable Energy Basics

Kara Beauchamp, Cornell College
2:30 pm, CEEE 011

Would you like to generate electricity for your home from wind or solar power? Kara will talk about what equipment you need, how much electricity you can produce, and what decisions you need to make about your system.

Residential Wind Power

Tom Hurd, Spatial Designs
3:30 pm, CEEE 011

The program would discuss wind features, site evaluation, turbine rated power versus wind speed, power needs versus wind power availability, loan/grant programs, maintenance, renting your power versus owning, paybacks and more.