Gateway Hosts Green Energy Showcase

Gateway Community & Technical College is kicking off Energy Awareness Month by hosting a showcase of regional green energy initiatives on Oct. 1 from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. The event, partially funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant, is being held at Gateway's Boone Campus, 500 Technology Way, in Room 131 of the Classroom and Training Building.

Kate Shanks, Assistant Director of the Renewable Energy Division in the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, is the keynote speaker. She will discuss the potential for renewable energy resources in Kentucky as well as current trends in renewable energy use.

Additional presentations and exhibits will showcase green energy initiatives of local and regional energy providers and industry. The program also highlights green energy technology training offered by Gateway and educational resources offered by Kentuckys National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project. The companies represented at the showcase include Bowlin Group LLC, Duke Energy, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives (East Kentucky Power and Owen Electric), and General Cable.

Gateway will present information on solar/photovoltaic systems, wind energy technologies, and a residential energy efficiency and audit course that prepares students for Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification as a Building Analyst.

The free event is aimed at installers, managers, supervisors and operators in the energy and communications industries; energy product manufacturers; the education community and members of the public.

For an advance program of the Green Energy Showcase and to register, contact Dr. Yvonne Meichtry, Yvonne.meichtry@kctcs.edu, (859) 442-4190. Space is limited, and the registration deadline is Sept. 16.