Maui Smart Grid Project

The Maui Smart Grid Project will demonstrate and evaluate new technologies that will help residents better manage and reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand, and assist Maui Electric Co. (MECO) to operate the power grid more efficiently. These technologies will also help  to restore power outages faster and integrate more renewable energy into Maui’s electricity grid. If you are interested and participating and live in the Maui Meadows please check out: http://www.mauismartgrid.com/

Resource from: http://www.mauismartgrid.com/

"Clean Energy: Picking up the Pace in 2011"

Hawaiian Electric Company's latest newsletter featuring updated information on new technologies, customer projects, and the status of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative.

 "Clean Energy: Picking up the Pace in 2011". Powerlines. Summer 2011.

Appropedia: The Sustainability Wiki

Mission: Sharing knowledge to build rich and sustainable lives.

Appropedia is the "Wikipedia" of sustainability. This internationally used site has information on all things sustainable such as detailed descriptions of the different renewable energy technologies, creative new RE inventions, and information on RE projects done all over the world. The name Appropedia comes from the idea of "Appropriate Tehnology". Below is a description of appropriate technology directly from the Appropedia website. Appropedia is a great place to share information and collaborate with others on renewable energy. It's a wiki so it is free to sign up and would be a perfect place to post projects you may have done with your students.

Appropriate technology (AT) is technology that is designed with special consideration to the context of its use - including environmental, ethical, cultural, social, political, and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. With these goals in mind, AT proponents claim their methods require fewer resources, are easier to maintain, and have less of an impact on the environment compared to techniques from mainstream technology, which they contend is wasteful and environmentally polluting.

The term is usually used to describe simple technologies proponents consider suitable for use in developing nations or less developed rural areas of industrialized nations. This form of "appropriate technology" usually prefers labor-intensive solutions over capital-intensive ones, although labor-saving devices are also used where this does not mean high capital or maintenance cost. In practice, appropriate technology is often something described as using the simplest level of technology that can effectively achieve the intended purpose in a particular location. In industrialized nations, the term appropriate technology takes a different meaning, often referring to engineering that takes special consideration of its social and environmental ramifications.

Haleakala Solar is installing what will be the largest commercial PV power generation system in Maui County

AAAA - Rent-A-Space in Honokowai, Maui will be builiding a 600-kilowatt rooftop system. It will be the largest commercial photovoltaic power system in Maui County. Construction will begin in September 2011. To read more see link from Pacific Business News http://bit.ly/qHdxNG

Island Energy Inquiry Leadership Seminar

Educators from all over the islands gathered here at our MEDB Lab in Kihei, Maui to learn about and participate in activities related to renewable energy, in hopes of adding these activities to their current curriculum. The Island Energy Inquiry program is led by Diana Papini-Warren, a project manager for Women in Technology and MEDB. This is a compilation of pictures taken by the IEI leaders during the workshop this past June. Each participant was lent their own personal Ipod Touch to take pictures of various renewable energy activities throughout the day. They completed a couple of wind turbine projects and also a solar power activity. Mahalo to Eliza Akana, Ignacio Arcas, Gentry Hirohata, Pam Kohara, Holly Lee, J. Mitchell, Debby Tisdell, and Karen Umeda for participating.

Island Energy Kit Materials - Where to Buy

Wondering where to buy energy inquiry materials for your classroom?

Here is a list of vendors with contact info and links to their websites.
IEI Vendor List

Energy Kit Materials - Where to Order...! What to Buy...!

Aloha Teachers,

Some of you have been asking where to order Energy Kit supplies for your schools. Below is list of some of standard kit items we purchase. We get most of our supplies from Kidwind.org – which was founded by a teacher BTW!

Prices fluctuate and shipping costs are not included on the attached sheets, so check their website and/or call to recheck everything. They are very helpful. They take Purchase Orders or credit cards. You can order directly from their website, however, I find it helpful to call and talk to a person. Re shipping, they can email or fax you a Quote with Estimated Shipping costs, then send an invoice with the exact shipping cost after the order is filled.

Kidwind – Tel. 1-877-917-0079 http://www.kidwind.org/

They are located in Minnesota so it’s a 5 or 6 hour time difference, depending on Daylight Savings Time.

If you find any other great vendors or kit items, please share!
Good luck!
Shannon

Basic Turbine Plus* - Windmill (*A newer model of the PVC Wind turbine we used to order)
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=38

5 Volt Solar Panels*
$13 each; $55 5-pack; $115 10-pack
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=56

Digital Multimeter*
$12.50 each
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=21

Green Science Solar Science Kit*
$12.25 each
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=157

Solar Thermal Kit* (for Lending Library)
$50.00 each
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=109

Extra Blade Materials*:
Balsa Wood Blades
100 Balsa Sheets for $80.00
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=23

Plastic Cardboard Blades (white)
100 Sheets for $60.00
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=29

1/4" Wood dowels
200 Dowels for $15.00
http://www.kidwind.org/xcart/product.php?productid=18

**Prices do not include shipping. Also, prices may fluctuate and models may change. Check website or call vendor for current info.

Island Energy Inquiry Leadership Seminar

An Energy Inquiry Event for Education Professionals

With Science Teacher PD Facilitation Responsibilites

DATES: 6/6, 6/21, 7/19, 8/23 (Hybrid Course)
FACE to FACE: Monday 6/6/11 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m

Malcolm Training Center on the Island of Maui*
MEDB, 1305 North Holopono Street, Suite 5 Kihei, HI 96753
*Travel Stipends Available

ONLINE: 6/21, 7/19, 8/23 3 Tuesdays 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Public & Private School Education Professionals Encourged to Apply

Download Flyer
http://www.womenintech.com/IEI%20FLYER_leadershipFINAL.pdf

***Apply online Today****
Deadline - May 15, 2011

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6QNG9X

For more information contact Diana Papini Warren at diana@medb.org or 808-270-6804

Video Resources - Teaching Science as Inquiry, Energy, and more

Here are some video resources from UH SeaGrant on “Teaching Science as Inquiry”, solar energy and more...

Link to all videow directly at: http://www.vimeo.com/marinescience

Or by island:
Oahu: http://mse.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/oahu-lectures
Hawai`i Island: http://mse.seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/hawaii-island-lectures

The NEED Project – National Energy Education Development

Great Resource for Teachers!

The mission of the NEED Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders.

Check out http://www.need.org/

Link to PowerPoints and PDF's for teaching renewable energy concepts!

http://www.need.org/node/156

Photovoltaics Movie - A Great Intro!

Solar Power Video Clip:

This would be wonderful authoritative information to add into the scientific inquiry process described in the Island Energy Inquiry Curriculum solar module.

Enjoy!
<http://www.thefutureschannel.com/dockets/science_technology/solar_power/index.php>