Appalachian State University
EN-12: Continuing Education

1. Appalachian Clean Energy CLE:
Clean energy touches on many issues, many of which are legal in nature. The Appalachian Clean Energy CLE workshop will provide attorneys and other attendees with knowledge on issues related to clean energy facing North Carolina from North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) staff and other attorneys. Attendees will leave the workshop with a better understanding of:
• Recent regulatory and legislative developments impacting clean energy in North Carolina
• The process of a utility rate application and the issues considered by the Utilities Commission
• Upcoming legal issues for energy efficiency and renewable energy
• Specific contractual issues related to renewable energy projects
In addition, attendees have the opportunity to network with professionals who can serve as resources and provide future assistance with particular legal and regulatory project development questions as they arise. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

2. NC Commercial Energy Code Training:
This workshop will provide an in-depth look at the NC 2012 Commercial Energy Code, various pathways to compliance, system controls, the intent and other energy saving strategies. The workshop will compare the prescriptive compliance option with the ASHRAE 90.1 2010 option, as well as the performance compliance option. An intensive look will be at the changes in the building envelope requirements including; insulation, air sealing, and fenestration. Mechanical systems, service water heating, and lighting requirements will also be covered. Photos from job sites across the state will be shown of best practices and continuous insulation options. Participants will be introduced to COMcheck, a free software program developed by the Department of Energy that can be used to comply with the code. A quick look at the proposed changes in the 2018 code cycle will also be reviewed. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

3. Inspecting and Designing Photovoltaic Systems for Code-Compliance:
This one-day class will clearly explain and summarize the intent and application of the 2014 National Electrical Code relevant to photovoltaic (PV) solar electric systems and cover significant updates to the 2017 National Electric Code that pertain to PV systems. Because the photovoltaic industry is undergoing extremely rapid growth and new technologies are constantly being introduced to the market, Articles 690 and 705 of the National Electrical Code incorporate a large quantity of important changes. The primary focus of this course will be inspecting plansets and system installations of grounded and ungrounded PV systems for Code-compliant equipment specifications, grounding systems, conductor installation, labeling, overcurrent protection, disconnects, rapid shutdown, ground-fault and arc-fault protection devices. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

4. Affordable Zero Energy Ready Homes:
Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley recently completed construction on the first certified DOE Zero Energy Ready Home in North Carolina. The home also qualifies for a two-year comfort and energy use guarantee through the Advanced Energy SystemVision program. This workshop will take an in depth look at the construction technologies and techniques involved in building an affordable Zero Energy Ready Home, including a super-insulated building envelope, as well as high performance heating, cooling, ventilation, and dehumidification systems. This workshop includes a tour of affordable Zero Energy Ready homes at various stages of construction. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

5. Solar Thermal Water Heating: Overview, Space Heating, and Maintenance:
Solar thermal is an attractive solar technology that can offset a significant fraction of cost and carbon emissions associated with domestic hot water production and space heating in both residential and commercial buildings. This workshop will cover aspects of solar water heating, including system design, sizing, component selection, installation, performance verification, and maintenance. A tour of a campus system is included. Content closely aligns with the NABCEP Solar Heating objectives. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

6. 2017 Appalachian Clean Energy CLE:
The 2017 Appalachian Clean Energy CLE workshop will inform attorneys and other attendees about regulatory and policy issues related to clean energy facing North Carolina. Attendees will leave the workshop with a better understanding of:
• NC Electric Membership Corporation perspective on project development and legislation updates including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC)
• Annual update: policy review, energy efficiency, net metering, and avoided costs
• Deep dive into utility rates and the issues considered by the Utilities Commission
• New initiatives of investor owned utilities, rural co-operatives, and municipalities
• Emerging opportunities in micro grids and battery systems
• Directed biogas and the renewable energy portfolio standard
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with professionals who can serve as resources and provide future assistance with particular legal and regulatory project development questions as they arise. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

7. Introduction to Building Energy Modeling:
Interested in energy modeling but don’t know where to start? Through presentations and hands-on exercises this course will investigate the benefits, explore software options, costs, and resources available. Programs that will be demonstrated in the course are OpenStudio, BEopt, SketchUp, and REM/Rate. Participants will gain further understanding about appropriate uses for energy modeling at different phases of the design process. Energy modeling is the practice of using computer-based programs to simulate and compare the energy performance of an entire building or the systems within a building. In response to the growing demand for qualified building energy modeling professionals, several organizations are offering certifications for energy modeling. For example, ASHRAE has a Building Energy Modeling Professional certification and the AEE certifies a Building Energy Simulation Analyst. Energy modeling is a must to meet the energy targets of the AIA 2030 Commitment. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

8. High Performance Home Essentials for Real Estate Professionals:
The goal of this new class is to help the real estate broker develop the skills they need to confidently represent and sell structures that possess significant green features. This class will improve the students’ fundamental knowledge of the topic, highlight communication techniques to implement, and provide information that will be useful in their day-to-day business affairs. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

9. Microhydro System Design and Installation:
This 1-1/2 day workshop will cover the basics of small scale hydro power with a field trip to local microhydro installation. Participants will learn about: site assessment techniques including the measurement of head and flow; system design; types of turbines and their associated performance and cost; system components such as the intake, penstock and balance of system; maintenance and troubleshooting; and case studies. Please join us for 1-1/2 days packed with information and site visit to Mollies Branch hydro system for hands on demonstrations. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

10. Introduction to Photovoltaic System Design & Construction (NABCEP PV Associate):
Interested to get into the solar field but don't know where to start? This 40-hour workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of solar energy, types of solar energy systems, system sizing principles, and the electrical and mechanical design of photovoltaic arrays. This workshop includes site visits to installed systems on the campus of Appalachian State. The course will focus on the key competencies addressed in the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Associate PV exam and includes the exam. Participants will have up to 6 months to take the test at a Castle Worldwide testing company at the testing location of your choice. Upon passing, you will receive the NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate Certification. The NABCEP Photovoltaic Associate Program is designed for individuals wanting to get into the solar field, and is a way to demonstrate achievement of a basic knowledge of the fundamental principles of the application, design, installation and operation of grid-tied and stand-alone PV Systems. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion.

NABCEP - National American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners Continuing Education Program

A thorough knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) is required to competently install any electrical power system, including PV systems, in the United States. Workshops are offered on campus periodically and participants will learn how to install a Code-compliant PV system and receive critical information on the latest installation techniques that are being used by the top installers and systems integrators throughout the country. Eight (8) hours of continuing education credits for NC licensed electrical contractors may be earned. In addition, NABCEP-certified PV professionals and those planning on taking the NABCEP test within a year may receive a 6-hour Continuing Education Certificate.

Further information at: https://energy.appstate.edu/workshops/nabcep-associate-program

Each of the ten sustainability-themed continuing education courses above also offer a Certificate of Completion upon completing the course.