Renewable Energy Speaker Series

As part of our commitment to improving the energy awareness at WWU, SRE is presenting a series of speakers about renewable energy and other topics relating to our mission.

This committee meets every Thursday at 5:00 PM in VU Activities Center during Spring Quarter '08.

Upcoming Presentation

Past Presentations

Solar Electricity for Bellingham

Presenter: Dana Brandt

Date: Thursday, November 8th, 2007

Time: 7:00-8:30pm

Location: WWU Communications Facility 125

Topics will include:

• Photovoltaic (PV) technology overview
• PV Applications and Design Considerations
• Photo-tour of local and international PV installations

Energy Efficiency for New and Existing Buildings

Presented by Tom Brenton

Wednesday May 30th, 7:00pm

WWU Communications Facility Room 125
Directions to WWU | Campus Map


Tom will outline five primary considerations for energy efficient
building and renovations:

  1. Health and Safety: First priority for every project on any dwelling.
  2. Durability: Conservation starts with preservation.
  3. Comfort: Uncomfortable environment is symptomatic of inefficiencies.
  4. Affordability: Cost vs performance vs payback
  5. Action: Design a plan and do it!

Since 1987, Tom has been designing and building custom "Green" homes throughout Washington, Colorado and Texas and renewable energy systems since 1994. He has been training weatherization agencies and industry professionals throughout the western US on building science and energy efficiency for the past 4 years.

Presently, he is a member of the board and co-founder of Solar Washington, Bellingham Chapter, and a former board member of the Northwest Eco-Building Guild, Seattle Chapter. Tom has also helped establish the Washington Solar Energy Grant and has had work presented on KING 5 television as part of their, Energy Efficient Homes program.

Careers in Renewable Energy Industries

Presented by Chuck Marken

Powerpoint Presentation

Monday April 23rd, 7:00-8:30pm
WWU Communications Facility Room 125
Directions to WWU | Campus Map

Topics will include:
Passive solar - architecture - general contractor
Alternative fuels industry
Government careers in Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy Education
The product distribution chain of North America - opportunities available in Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, Wind Energy
* Manufacturing
* Distributors
* Designers/engineers
* System integrators/utility interface
* Dealers
* Installers


Chuck Marken is a lifetime resident of New Mexico and has extensive history in the Renewable Energy (RE) field. He has been with AAA Solar Supply Inc. since 1980, a company specializing in design, manufacture, distribution, installation and service of solar water heating, home and swimming pool heating and photovoltaic equipment and systems. Chuck also teaches about RE at many institutions including the University of New Mexico and Solar Energy International. In his spare time he enjoys whitewater rafting, sailing, and bicycling.


Electricity from the Sun

An Introduction to Photovoltaics

Wednesday February 21st, 7:00-8:30pm
WWU Communications Facility Room 125
Directions to WWU | Campus Map

Ever wondered how those solar panel things work? Dana Brant will be explaining the technology and applications for solar electric photovoltaic (PV) panels. His topics will include:

Dana Brandt owns Ecotech Energy Systems, a renewable energy design, installation and consulting company. With renewable energy experience from four continents, he holds a Master of Science with Honors in Renewable Energy from Loughborough University, England as well as a BS in Electrical Engineering. Current projects include grid-tied and off-grid solar electric and wind power systems and he is also active in the emerging field of microgrids and distributed generation.

Introduction to Solar Space Heating

Basics of Passive Solar Design

Powerpoint Presentation

Wednesday January 10th, 2007 7:00-8:30 pm
WWU Communications Facility Room 125
Directions to WWU | Campus Map

Western Washington receives about 68 percent as much solar energy per year as Los Angeles. Several methods of active and passive solar space heating are extremely cost effective in Western Washington. When incorporated in new building design it can provide 60 to 70 percent of the building's annual heating requirement.

Our presenter will be Jack Hardy, owner of Solar Design and Construction, a leading builder of energy efficient quality homes in Northwest Washington. As a U.S. Energy Star Partner Builder, he is committed to building homes that can reduce residential energy use by 60 to 75 percent. He also heads Solar Electric Systems a Bellingham company designs and installs residential and commercial solar electric systems. Jack is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University. His research covered many areas of environmental science. He continues teaching courses in marine biology and climate change. Among over 150 publications, is his recent book Climate Change: Causes, Effects and Solutions published by John Wiley & Sons.

SRE