RE: September 18: WoHEC smart grid working group
Philip Vergragt
This is an invitation to the first meeting, Wednesday 10-11 am
From: Philip Vergragt
Sent: Friday, August 30, 2013 12:15 PM
To: wo...@googlegroups.com
Subject: September 18: WoHEC smart grid working group
Importance: High
September 18, 10-11, Marsh Institute, Clark University:
3rd meeting of WoHEC smart grid working group.
This is a hands-on meeting to achieve the objectives discussed earlier: to broaden the scope of the NGrid so-called “sustainability Hub”, to be opened on the Clark Campus early October. Peter Cutting has developed the following proposal (see below).
The same day, 2-3 pm, is a meeting of the G2G group. I encourage all interested persons to attend this meeting; I will make sure that the Sustainability hub is on the agenda (I am not sure if I can come myself because of a scheduling conflict; but I will try of course). Please send reactions to this proposal to Peter and me, if you cannot attend; or even of you can attend; that will help us to prepare in advance a presentation for the G2G meeting:
Peter Cutting’s Proposals For Expanding The Sustainability Hub:
1. Employment Resource
2. Education and Training Resources
3. Database of Green Themed Research
4. High School Ambassadors
5. Advisory Committee
While we as a working group applaud the initial design goals of the sustainability hub, I believe much more can be accomplished that will reach the stated goals of energy efficiency outreach and transforming the hub into a resource of sustainability. I have the following suggestions / recommendations which go beyond the concept as I understand it. I also believe that even with minimal staff, resources and space, much of what I list can be accomplished. Of course, not everything will happen at once but it can be scaled up over the next year.
1. Employment Resource - A green employment and internship access point (most likely via a computer) that combines "green internship" opportunities and the green jobs postings around central Massachusetts would be of immense value. This could not just include the three targeted colleges of the Green U program but all the area colleges. This has the potential to generate significant foot traffic. Any data entry required could be facilitated by the planned college intern positions.
2. Education and Training Resources – Keeping an up-to-date listing of all the green and sustainability courses that are being offered by Worcester area colleges would be beneficial and possibly help tie together more of the colleges in this effort as the hub expands (hopefully). Furthermore providing information on green-themed job training programs as well as unconventional, alternative job shadowing and work- trade projects should be entertained.
3. Database of Green Themed Research – Every year many students, both undergrad and grad, initiate fantastic research projects focused on sustainability issues. As with all institutions this research often becomes shelved and filed away - forever relegated to a forgotten dustbin. A central collection point starting with the three colleges could act as a repository and help facilitate future research projects while simultaneously eliminating the duplication of research efforts at the different colleges. This could enhance a collaborative approach among different colleges allowing a much more comprehensive analysis to any given subject matter.
4. High School Ambassadors – Introducing high school students to the themes of energy efficiency and sustainability is a necessity as many K-12 students are not exposed to this in the classroom. Recognizing this need and the fact that some Worcester high schools require students to perform a community service internship, it would be logical to create a program with the students learn about sustainability and bring what they learned into the community or at the very least back into the schools. The college students who will be interning at the hub can bring these high achieving high school students up to speed where needed and help draft outreach presentations.
5. Advisory Committee – a committee of 4 to 8 dedicated individuals that meets every two months to give clear and practical guidance on the development of the hub should seriously be entertained. Creating a shared vision and establishing accountability in this committee would be paramount and necessary as a first step.