NECA

Green Energy Challenge Student Competition Kicks Off

High energy prices sent facility managers and building owners scrambling for ways to reduce their electric bills for the past two years. But schools located near a university with a student chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) can tap into a new student competition to help improve their building's energy efficiency.

The first Green Energy Challenge for NECA student chapters invites teams of students studying electrical construction, engineering, design and management to conduct an "energy audit" of a local K-12 school. An energy audit is an inspection and analysis of the power a building uses – what electrical systems are using the most energy and determining if there are ways that those systems can operate more efficiently and use less power.

For example, an older lighting system can be updated with ballasts and lamps that require significantly less electricity, but provide a better amount and quality of light. Additional savings can also be found by updating and integrating lighting controls.

The student teams will be responsible for working with the schools to develop and execute the energy audit plan. Based on their findings, students will then develop customized proposals for energy retrofits that would improve the schools' energy efficiency. Teams will also design a new solar PV and/or wind energy system for the facility.

"It's a very technically advanced program," said David Riley, a professor at Penn State University and competition program advisor. "The problems aren't hypothetical, so the solutions that students develop won't be either. They will use real information to conduct the energy audits, and then base their retrofit recommendations on that information. They will use current technology and available products. Solar and wind proposals will also include a financing plan that taps new incentives and funding strategies.

Riley believes that "real-world" experience better prepares students for careers in building design and construction. He points out that the NECA student chapters have an excellent professional resource for their proposals in NECA member contractors.

"Student teams are expected to work closely with their local NECA members on the Green Energy Challenge," Riley said. "Electrical contractors prepare bids, estimates, and project analysis every day. Contractors can also guide the students to realistic solutions rather than glamorous ideas. Being a successful contractor means you understand your client's needs. Our hope is that the clients are able to use the student’s work to start energy efficiency upgrades in their buildings."

“NECA contractors usually encourage customers to consider a whole-building energy solution that combines energy conservation, energy efficiency, and alternative energy sources,” said John Grau, NECA CEO. “Conservation and efficiency changes are often easier and cheaper to make, and an owner starts saving on energy costs immediately. It’s an approach that benefits the customer, and the Green Energy Challenge reinforces this method to the next generation of electrical industry leaders.”

Team audit reports and proposals are due on May 30. Entries will be evaluated by a committee of electrical construction experts, and three entries will be selected as finalists. These top three teams will receive complimentary registrations to the 2009 NECA Convention and Trade Show in Seattle, Sept. 12-15, where they will present their projects and the winning solution will be selected. 

Competition guidelines for the Green Energy Challenge are posted on www.cfs.psu.edu/NECA.aspx. The Green Energy Challenge is sponsored by NECA and ELECTRI International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. A list of participating NECA student chapters and sponsoring NECA chapters participating in the competition is below.

NECA Student Chapters Participating in the 2009 Green Energy Challenge

NECA Student Chapter	Sponsoring NECA Chapter
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY	Ohio/Michigan Chapter, NECA
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY	Iowa Chapter, NECA
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY	Oregon-Columbia and Oregon-Pacific-Cascade Chapters, NECA
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY	Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter, NECA
PURDUE UNIVERSITY	Central Indiana Chapter, NECA
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON	Puget Sound Chapter, NECA
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON	Wisconsin Chapter, NECA

Contact Information

Beth Margulies, Director, Public Relations

301-215-4526, beth.margulies@necanet.org

David Riley, Competition Advisor, Penn State

814-863-2079, driley@engr.psu.edu