The University of Cincinnati’s
2009 Energy Conference and expo has a little something for everyone. This daylong event –focused on the jobs, investments and energy improvements available now – is May 7 at the Duke Energy Center downtown. There will be sessions on everything from assessing your return on a green investment to finding a job to making your home or business more energy efficient.
“The conference is not necessarily for one audience. If you’re interested at all about energy you will find something you like,” said UC Utilities Superintendent Raymond Miller.
Energy issues have taken center stage in the country, and especially in the Midwest where changing economics and political will is putting more focus on energy-related conservation, job growth and community action. Though the conference does look into the future, much of the information that attendees will get is based on the here-and-now, especially in the area of jobs.
“This area is so dynamic right now that we don’t know exactly where it will go. Some things will fall off,” Miller said. But UC’s current programs in Power Systems Technology, Stationary Engineering, and its Electrician Certificates can be used in both traditional and more sustainable energy career paths, he said.
“We’re talking about developing transferable skill sets,” Miller said. “If you have a large-scale solar power plant, you still need station engineers.”
Cincinnati State Community and Technical College also offers a Photovoltaic Installer Program, Renewable Energy Program and Renewable Energy Certificate.
The National Center for Energy Workforce Development in Washington, D.C., shows that anywhere from 40 to nearly 50 percent of engineering, technical and lineworker jobs in the energy industry due, in large part, to an aging workforce by 2013.
The UC conference is tapping into that trend in three basic ways: highlighting the education and career skills needed to get an energy sector job, the business and financial aspects of investing in this emerging area, and personal steps individuals can take to make their properties more sustainable.
Among the sessions are “Assessing Stainable Return on Investment,” where HDR Engineering will outline a new way its developed to assess and prioritize projects based on a new investment return model that takes environmental benefits into account.
Another session, “Renewable Energy for you Home and Business,” will feature a presentation by Cincinnati State and Technical Community College that highlights current ways property owners can use wind, solar, thermal, geothermal, and other ready to use technologies.
“Career Paths in Energy,” presented by Duke/GE and UC Raymond Walter’s College will detail career opportunities in energy including work in traditional and new technologies.
A host of UC student created products will be on display during the conference as well on the convention floor. Those include a “supermileage” vehicle built by five UC mechanical engineering technology students. The vehicle is a lightweight, single person car that gets 2,000 miles to the gallon. Another mechanical engineering student developed solar-powered blinds that close when a house is too warm to block the sun.
The conference costs $75 per person on or before April 28, and $125 afterward.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: UC Utilities Superintendent Raymond Miller
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