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NRECA Providing Online Training for Integration of Renewable Energy on Co-op Lines

Dec. 5, 2013
The U.S. Department of Energy will fund a $7.3 million project to create online and in-person training modules for students and utility engineers on the integration of renewable energy and microgrids.

The U.S. Department of Energy will fund a $7.3 million project to create online and in-person training modules for students and utility engineers on the integration of renewable energy and microgrids.  A coalition that includes Missouri University of Science and Technology, NRECA and other academic and utility partners will provide $2.3 million of the total $7.3 million cost. 

NRECA will make the training modules available to cooperative engineers through “Cooperative University,” an online learning platform.

The project was funded under a DOE initiative to promote renewable energy deployment: “Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment” (GEARED), part of DOE's Sunshot Initiative.

Electric cooperatives are increasing the amount of owned and purchased renewable energy capacity.  In 2013, the co-ops’ collective renewable energy capacity (excluding federal hydropower) exceeds 5 GW.

 The coalition consists of the following organizations:

  • Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO
  • University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
  • Iowa State University, Ames, IA
  • Ameren Corporation, St. Louis, MO
  • City Utilities, Springfield, MO
  • National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
  • Perfect Power Institute

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