2008 Renewable Energy Workshops


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Please join us for these exciting workshops in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

The Southern Appalachian region contains abundant and readily available wind, solar, and microhydro resources for producing home-grown, clean, and renewable energy. The Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative (WNCREI) is an Appalachian State University Energy Center (ASUEC) project dedicated to helping create a sustainable energy future for our region.

Workshops

The WNCREI is proud to host the 2008 workshop series to empower groups and individuals with the tools and resources to pursue wind, solar, microhydro and alternative fuel technologies for energy independence. We have partnered with national leaders to bring you the most comprehensive educational and hands-on experience possible.

Check out photos from past workshops

Domestic Solar Water Heating

with AET & Brandon Leavitt

Friday & Saturday, July 11-12, 2008

Participants will learn how to design and construct solar water heating systems for domestic hot water needs. Now is the time for solar energy with excellent NC State and Federal Tax credits.

Workshop leader: Alternate Energy Technologies, LLC (AET) is a leading solar energy systems company headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. AET specializes in the manufacturing of a wide array of flat plate solar thermal collectors and fully integrated solar hot water systems for medium and high-temperature commercial, industrial and residential applications.

"Our Mission is to provide global intelligent energy solutions. We achieve this by offering world-class solar products for the performance and dependability you deserve." www.aetsolar.com

Brandon Leavitt of Solar Solutions has been selling and installing solar thermal systems for more than two decades.

Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall, Room 17

Schedule for both days: Registration/Breakfast 8:30am; Workshop 9:00am - 4:00pm

Cost: $190 ($95 students)

Max Participants: 99

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PV and the National Electrical Code

with John Wiles of the Southwest Technology Development Institute

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

A thorough knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is required to competently install any electrical power system, including PV systems, in the United States. Participants will learn how to install a Code-compliant PV system and receive critical information on the latest installation techniques that are being used by the top installers and systems integrators throughout the country. Come learn about the new 2008 NEC code.

Workshop leader: John Wiles is a leading expert on the National Electric Code (NEC) and PV installations and the author of the Code Corner column in Home Power Magazine. He has a contract with the US Department of Energy to provide engineering support to the PV industry and to provide that industry, electrical contractors, electricians, and electrical inspectors with a focal point for code issues related to PV systems. John serves as Secretary for an NFPA-appointed Task Group involved with Article 690 of the NEC. Over 25 submissions were accepted for the 2005 NEC and over 40 submissions were submitted for the 2008 code. He drafted the text for Article 690 in the 2005 NEC Handbook. Fieldwork involves balance of systems design for PV systems, inspections and acceptance testing of PV systems, test and evaluation of PV components, and the design and installation of data acquisition systems. John bought his first codebook in 1960 and installed his first PV system in 1984. He has lived in an off-grid, PV/wind-powered home (permitted and inspected, of course) with his wife Patti, two dogs, and a cat for more than 16 years.

8 hours of continuing education credits for NC licensed electrical contractors.

Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Broyhill Inn

Schedule: Registration/Breakfast 7:30am; Workshop 8:00am - 5:00pm

Cost: $90 ($50 students)

Max Participants: 99

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Microhydro

with Don Harris

Saturday & Sunday, October 4-5, 2008

This workshop will be held on the campus of Appalachian State University with a field trip to two local microhydro installations. Participants will learn about: site assessment techniques including the measurement of head and flow; system design; types of turbines and their associated performance and cost; system components such as the intake, penstock and balance of system; maintenance and troubleshooting; case studies; tips and tricks from an industry icon.

Workshop leader: Don Harris is a national microhydro expert. He has developed residential hydro systems since 1981 and is responsible for nearly 3,000 successful systems. The Harris system is an efficient, durable battery charging pelton turbine making it the most popular micro-turbine in the US. Don’s years of experience will provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s leading experts.

Day 1 morning: Classroom learning in the ASU Appropriate Technology Lab followed by lunch

Day 1 afternoon: Field trip to the Farm at Mollies Branch featuring a tour of a 4-nozzle Harris Hydro system.

Day 2: Check in at school and spend the day at Turtle Island Preserve, quite a special place and home of two amazing things: Eustace Conway and a Hydro Induction Power system with a very long wire run. This day will involve lots of walking/hiking. A hearty lunch will be served at TI Preserve in Nacho Mama`s Kitchen - a wood-fired, off-grid experience.

Where: Campus of Appalachian State University, Kerr Scott/Harper Hall, Room 178

Schedule for both days: Registration/Breakfast 8:30am; Workshop 9:00am - 4:00pm

Cost: $190 ($95 students)

Max Participants: 20

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  • If you can, please bring: gloves, hat, sunscreen, raingear, water bottle, camera, notepad, etc. Bring warm clothes, dress in layers and wear good shoes for walking in various terrain.
  • Kerr Scott/Harper Hall has limited parking but the Rivers Street parking deck is just next door.
  • Lodging info can be found at www.visitboonenc.com. A convenient on-campus option is the Broyhill Inn, (828) 262-2204, (800) 951-6048, www.broyhillinn.com
  • Weather forecast: www.booneweather.com/Forecast/Boone
  • Maps and directions: www.web.appstate.edu/maps

Small Scale Wind Energy

with Southwest Windpower

Saturday & Sunday, October 18-19, 2008

These workshops will be held at our Wind Energy Research & Demonstration facility in Beech Mountain, NC where we feature the full line of Southwest Windpower (SWWP) products as well as other residential wind turbines on the market. Participants will learn the basics of residential wind systems from the world’s leading manufacturer of small wind turbines. The hands-on portion of the workshop will involve a tour of the Beech Mountain wind turbines and installation of SWWP’s newest product, the Skystream 3.7.

These workshops also serve as dealer training for SWWP. Come learn as well as network with renewable energy dealers and installers from all over the world.

Workshop leaders: Driven by a deep and abiding commitment to the environment, Southwest Windpower continues to design, manufacture and sell state-of-the-art wind energy systems of high-quality, durability and affordability. Steve Loritz is SWWP's Training Manager. Jay Yeager is the Technical Services Manager for SWWP. Throughout the years Jay has analyzed literally thousands of applications and participated in numerous installations of SWWP products both for field-testing and consumer use. The knowledgeable staff of the NC Small Wind Initiative will also contribute to the training. More info at on SWWP www.windenergy.com.

Where: Small Wind Energy Research & Demonstration Site, Beech Mountain, NC; Check in at the Pinnacle Inn Conference Room near the pool

Schedule for both days: Registration/Breakfast 8:30am; Workshop 9:00am - 4:00pm

Cost: $300 ($95 students)

Register Now!

  • If you can, please bring: gloves, hat, sunscreen, raingear, water bottle, camera, notepad, etc. Bring warm clothes, dress in layers and wear good shoes for walking in various terrain.
  • For convenience, we recommend making a reservation at the Pinnacle Inn, which is located directly next to the Research & Demonstration Site. (800) 405-7888, (828) 387-2231, www.pinnacleinnresort.com. Other accommodations and are info can be found at www.beechmountain.com
  • You may also camp at the wind site for free. This is primitive camping, no bathrooms or hook-ups, only grass, trees and wind turbines.
  • The workshops will take place rain or shine: sometimes some of the best wind conditions are in the worst weather.
  • Door to door directions can be found using www.maps.yahoo.com using a destination address of Pinnacle Inn Road, Beech Mountain, NC, 28604
  • Weather forecast: www.averyweather.com/Forecast/Beech+Mountain

Who Should attend these workshops?

  • …..basically anyone
  • Renewable energy Installers, contractors, dealers
  • Electricians and plumbers
  • Land, home, business, or farm owners
  • Students, tradespersons and inventors
  • Teachers
  • Elected officials
  • Utility companies/cooperatives
  • Any energy user interested in harnessing power from solar, wind or water.

Regional Airport options

Asheville Regional Airport
828-684-2226
Asheville, NC
Mileage from Boone: 105 miles
Drive time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 105 S to Linville, Hwy. 221 S to Marion, I-40 W to Asheville, I- 26 E follow directions to the airport.

Boone Airport – very small
828-265-3598
(No scheduled services. 3,200 ft runway)
Boone, NC
Directions: Hwy 321 to Deerfield Rd, Follow Deerfield Rd and turn right on Bamboo Rd southeast of town. The airport is on your right.

Charlotte Douglas Airport
704-359-4013 (international airport)
Charlotte, NC
Mileage from Boone: 100 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 321 S to Gastonia, I-85 N to Charlotte, take Billy Graham Parkway exit. Follow signs to the airport.

Tri-City Airport
423-325-6000
Between Johnson City and Bristol, TN
Mileage from Boone: 75 miles
Drive time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Directions: Hwy. 105 S to Hwy. 184 (Banner Elk turn-off). Proceed through Banner Elk to stoplight. At stoplight turn left onto Hwy. 194 .At Elk Falls turn right onto Hwy. 19 E to Elizabethton, TN. In Elizabethton continue on 19E until it intersects with Hwy 11E/19. Turn right on 11E/19 to Hwy 394 at Bluff City, TN. Turn left (west) on Hwy. 394 to Blountville, TN. In Blountville take Hwy. 126 and then at this intersection with Hwy. 75 turn left to the airport.

Piedmont Triad Airport
336-665-5666 or 800-428-4322
Greensboro, NC
Mileage from Boone: 97 miles
Drive Time: 2 hours
Directions: Hwy. 421 S to Winston-Salem, NC. In Winston-Salem take I-40E to Greensboro, NC. (not business I-40). Outside Greensboro take exit 210 (Hwy. 68N) to the airport.

Questions?

Conference Info and Registration questions prior to the workshop can be directed to the WNCREI Office:

wind@appstate.edu

(828)262-7333

If you get lost or confused and need to call me on my cell phone, it is (828) 773-9242

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon!