If
Nebraska is to realize all of the opportunities that present
themselves through renewable energy, we must first change
the way we perceive and consume energy. We must not only be
wise stewards of our current resources, we must be able to
recognize energy in all its forms. Energy is all around us
in the form of sunlight, wind and biomass. We are not just
farming food through Nebraska agriculture, we are farming
the energy stored in those biological systems as well. Food
and fuel at its best. Can you
think of any fossil energy sources that taste good?
At NRES, it is our goal to work with the educational
institutions to not only expand the students' definitions of
energy, but also to provide demonstrations, seminars and
hands-on workshops to encourage and nurture those with
higher interest levels on these topics. The Energy Farm
being developed in Northeast Nebraska is being developed
with these goals in mind.
The
greatest opportunity to impact our future and support
renewable energy education will be through the internship
program we are currently developing with Nebraska State
Colleges, the University,
and other supporters.
For information about
the internship program click here.
Nebraskans outside of the educational system are also
showing increased interest to obtain information regarding
renewable energy. Whether it is a citizen wishing to use
non-polluting energy sources or a farmer looking to cut fuel
costs while adding value to his crops, there is a great need
for an informational outlet that can be accessed to answer
these questions. People are scattered all over the state
with ideas, experience and the desire to help others. All
that is lacking is a centralized point that can network
these people and get them the information they need to make
decisions regarding renewable energy consumption or
production. To accomplish this goal, NRES was the driving
force for the formation of the fledgling Nebraska Renewable
Energy Association (NeREA)
as a non-profit organization to undertake the mission of
providing education, training and networking to the citizens
of Nebraska. Visit the NeREA
website
www.nebraskarea.org
for renewable energy information.
Nebraska has done an excellent job holding meetings and conferences regarding renewable energy. Robert Byrnes has attended most and has a four inch thick file of distributed materials.
There is a gap between the classroom setting and fielding a system of your own. NRES aims to narrow this gap by offering workshops for people to get hands on experience with this equipment. Such training will greatly increase understanding and help determine if someone is ready to "go renewable."
Although hands-on workshops have been going on at the energy farm for years with great success, we are working with other groups as well to develop these workshops at locations across the state.
Contact us for more information.
Upcoming Workshop Registration:
The seminars will require pre-registration. All workshops are all day, $80 a person. Oilseed workshops
are $150/person. NeREA members are half price. To register, please complete the form located at http://www.nebraskagreenfuels.com/workshops.html and mail payment to:
Nebraska Renewable Energy Systems (NRES) ● 300 Main Street ● Lyons, NE 68038
Make check payable to Nebraska
Renewable Energy Systems (NRES).
