As the Smart Energy Initiative of Southeastern PA expands its working groups to include Microgrids and Hydrogen, we find this article interesting. Caterpillar Powers Microsoft’s Wyoming Data Center with Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Microgrid Technology | Microgrid Knowledge If your company is interested in joining SEI, please reach out to Jim Lauckner at jlauckner@ccedcpa.com. Membership in SEI is free.
Category Archives: News
February 15, 2024 – 12th Annual Energy Briefing – 8:15 -10:30 a.m.
REGISTER>> https://SEI-Energy-Briefing-Feb-2024.eventbrite.com
Agenda:
8:15 -8:30 a.m. Check-in, light breakfast, and networking
8:30 -10:20 a.m. Program followed by Q&A
Continue the discussion until 10:30 a.m. in the Gallery
What’s the impact on your business’ bottom-line?
This year’s Annual Energy briefing is for energy related companies which want to learn more about several topics that will impact their business and their community.
- As the federal government begins to allocate billions of dollars to the states, how will this funding from the Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act be distributed into the marketplace? How can your clients and potential clients fund their energy projects with these monies and tax credits?
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $7 billion to launch seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) across the nation and accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of low-cost, clean hydrogen. Funded by the Infrastructure Law, the seven H2Hubs will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. MACH2 is a local project and will be discussed at the briefing.
- Alternative energy (Solar, CHP, Fuel Cells, Battery Storage.. ect) may be right for the environment but may not always be the best solution based on a company’s utility contracts. Learn what fees make up your power and gas contracts and why? This part of the briefing will discuss the true impacts of alternative energy products on a facility’s actual energy bills. Regardless of if you have alternative energy in mind right now, you can learn more about your utility bill and be able to make some strategic decisions moving forward.
Presenters:
Keynote presentation by Jessica Shirley, Interim Secretary – PA Department of Environmental Protection, which includes the State Energy Office.
Acting Secretary Shirley will share how the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s funding from the Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act be distributed into the marketplace. Learn how your business and your client’s may benefit from these new programs.
David Ferro, CEO – Optics Consulting LLC
This presentation will include a high level review of the PJM grid followed by how local gas and electric utilities bill their clients. We will explore the many utility invoice line items that are often ignored and explain how alternative energy solutions impact these fee structures both positively and negatively. Examples and case studies will be presented showing both favorable and detrimental scenarios based on the type of utility invoicing. The goal of this program is to educate the audience on how alternative energy projects can affect your “bottom line” allowing for improved decision making.
Thank you to our sponsors!
January 9, 2024 – SEI Working Groups meeting – 5-7:30 p.m.
The Annual SEI Working Groups will meet 1/9/2024 from 5-7:30 p.m. in Exton! These sessions will help SEI understand what trends you are hearing about in the energy industry, what would be of value to our industry partners and what training needs do you have during this quarter and throughout 2024. For an invitation, please contact Jim Lauckner jlauckner@ccedcpa.com and include your name, company and role.
Breakout session subgroups are in the following categories:
- Hydrogen
- Microgrids
- CHP and Renewable Fuels
- Energy Efficiency
- Geothermal
- Solar and Energy Storage
January 1, 2024 – Training Funds to reimburse up to 50% of trainings completed between January 1 – June 2024
SEI can help your organization maintain a competitive workforce with training grant funds to offset partial costs of energy-related training.
January 1 – June 2024 approved course list: PA Smart IP Grant SEI – Training Plan as of 01-01-2024
To get started, complete the SEI Training Grant Application (to request a fillable version, email scockerham@ccedcpa.com) Scan and email the completed document (without trainee’s social security number) to sockerham@ccedcpa.com.
As a resource, below are some of the training vendors that our industry partners have used upskill their employees. You are NOT limited to these companies, and we cannot guarantee that the course you select will match up with our grant. Grant approved courses may change from year to year. We will work to accommodate your preference for training topics and vendors.
Can’t find what you like in the course list, or want help completing the application? Contact us at the email addresses provided below. Contact Sherry Cockerham or Jim Lauckner to receive timely notifications of SEI-approved training in the region, or with any additional questions.
Training funds are provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and the Chester County Workforce Development Board. All trainees must be residents of the State of Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2023 – Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program – Apply before 3/22/23
Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program, may be of interest to some of our members
Who May Apply: For-profit businesses in PA with a primary physical location in PA and 100 or fewer full-time employees. Commercial real estate businesses and tenant businesses may also be eligible if they meet the criteria outlined in the program guidelines.
Use: The Program is a first-come, first-served grant program that provides matching grants to assist small businesses undertaking energy efficiency, pollution prevention or natural resource conservation projects.
Funds: $1 million in grant funding is available for this funding round for grants between $5,000 and $8,000.
Application Deadline: Grants will be accepted through March 22, 2024 or when funds are exhausted, whichever occurs first.
More information: DEP Website
October 2023 – SEI Newsletter, Are you capturing all of the benefits and cash grants for your company?
Hello,
- Are you sure that you know what you are paying for in the company’s Energy bills? Attend the SEI event on October 19 at our conference center in Exton. The True Impacts of Alternative Energy on Your Utility Bill will provide examples and case studies will be presented showing both favorable and detrimental scenarios based on the type of utility invoicing. The goal of this program is to educate the audience on how alternative energy projects can affect your “bottom line” allowing for improved decision making. Register at https://True_Impacts_of_Alt_Energy_on_Your_Bill_Oct19.eventbrite.com.
- There will be millions of dollars spent, your tax dollars, The PA DEP and Penn College of Technology are asking you to participate in a virtual meeting and provide your valuable input for their Weatherization / Energy Program on October 24th 10 – 11 am via zoom. The goal is to get a cross section of employers about desired skills, expertise and certifications that are needed to do work in the energy sector. Companies can register at Weatherization Workforce Stakeholder Forums (constantcontactpages.com).
- As Federal funding begins to hit the market and fund Energy projects, we expect that you may need to expand your workforce and wish to hire people not only with a strong work ethic but some skill and industry knowledge. SEI would like to determine if your company is eligible for a Clean Energy Workforce Development Grant from the PA Department of Labor & Industry. Access a quick form here to get started CLEAN ENERGY GRANT FORM. These grants can help create a recruiting and hiring plan customized for your organization. Learn where people are being trained in Solar, Energy Efficiency, Newer Building Codes, Geothermal, Building Management etc.
- SEI has cash grants right now to reimburse your company up to 50% of energy related training costs. Access an easy form to get started, and learn more SEI CASH TRAINING GRANTS.
- FYI: The DOE, in collaboration with its Partnership Intermediary, ENERGYWERX, has re-opened applications for small and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs) to receive grants of up to $300,000, at 50% cost share, to implement recommendations made in Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) assessments and/or DOE Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership (CHP TAP) assessments – including what are now called “Onsite Energy TAP” assessments – and, once qualified, other assessments submitted previously for qualification as “IAC-equivalent.”
If you have any questions or suggestions, please call me. I answer my cell 8 am – 8 pm 7 days a week. I understand that you have a business to manage and will call you back if I miss your call.
Jim
Jim Lauckner
Project Consultant
Smart Energy Initiative, SEI
Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC)
Eagleview Corporate Center, 737 Constitution Drive, Exton, PA 19341
Direct Office: 610-321-8231 Main Office: 610-458-5700 Cell: 215-470-2684 Fax: 610-458-7770
Email: jlauckner@ccedcpa.com
October 2023 – CHP Grant information with Q&A session on Oct. 19th at 1:00 p.m.
DOE, in collaboration with its Partnership Intermediary, ENERGYWERX, has re-opened applications for small and medium-sized manufacturing firms (SMMs) to receive grants of up to $300,000, at 50% cost share, to implement recommendations made in Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC) assessments and/or DOE Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership (CHP TAP) assessments – including what are now called “Onsite Energy TAP” assessments – and, once qualified, other assessments submitted previously for qualification as “IAC-equivalent.”
View LinkedIn post on it here and DOE’s press release here.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed quarterly. The deadline to be include in the next quarterly review cycle is December 31, 2023 at 5 pm ET.
A DOE Objective Strategic Session (OSS) question and answer session will be held monthly, with the next one occurring on October 19, 2023 at 1 pm ET. Register here.
August 29, 2023 – Geothermal Drilling and Grouting Fundamentals (short course)
Date: August 29, 2023
Location: Westerville, Ohio
CEUs: 0.6
Instructors:
Overview:
In this one-day short course, you will learn about the equipment and tools used to drill and install vertical ground loops. You will also learn the proper procedures for grouting geothermal boreholes.
The ground source heat pump industry has increased in activity with the extension of both the residential and commercial geothermal tax credits that were signed into law in 2022. As geothermal involves more work than an average water well, proper education is key for groundwater professionals to understand what is required.
Additionally, ISCO Industries will guide you through the proper methods of thermally fusing HDPE pipe. The demonstration, followed by hands-on participation, will focus on the two most common methods of thermal fusion applicable to the geothermal industry: manual butt fusion and socket fusion. All equipment and materials will be provided for your use. Upon completion, you will leave with an understanding of why HDPE is the absolute best material for geothermal installations.
Who should attend?
- Drilling contractors
- Sanitarians/health department personnel
- Ground heat exchanger installers
- HVAC contractors.
Partners
NGWA is partnering with Jackson Geothermal, IGSHPA, and ISCO Industries for this course.
April 19, 2023 – PECO wins ENERGY STAR Award
SEI congratulates our friends and long-time sponsors at PECO for their ENERGY STAR Award.
Read more PECO ENERGY STAR 2023 Partner of the year
11th Annual SEI Energy Briefing Presentations on You Tube
The SEI Energy Briefing took place 2/28/2023. View the presentations on the SEI You Tube Channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDY_1uqrAKE
