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Student interns presented their learning to a group of community members and facility managers at a recent luncheon hosted by AEM at the Wenatchee School District Central Office.
Wenatchee High School has partnered with the Advanced Energy Management (AEM) program through a public-private partnership with Chelan PUD and JCPenney, providing eight student interns with real-world experience in energy efficiency and data analysis. This paid internship opportunity helps JCPenney reduce energy waste at its local brick-and-mortar stores nationwide.
The interns use real-time electricity demand data from interval meters to continuously monitor energy use at the JCPenney store. They work with Chelan PUD to collect meter data, identify spikes in demand, and investigate possible causes, such as equipment failures, settings adjustments, controls or lighting overrides, and operational or scheduling changes. The students draft a report identifying energy waste and propose solutions for conservation and savings.
Charley Haupt, President of New Energy Technology, collaborates directly with students. He observes that customers react differently when students identify inefficiencies and provide recommendations. Customers are more likely to prioritize these suggestions because they want both the student and the company to succeed. This unique form of motivation drives customers to take action. Unlike some internships, students get to see the results of their work in the form of savings for customers, instilling a sense of accomplishment.
The interns track the waste reduction opportunities and work with JCPenney's maintenance personnel to resolve the issues. By quickly identifying and resolving problems through the AEM internship program, JCPenney saved $81 million in energy costs last year at its hundreds of stores nationwide, including the one in Wenatchee. This equates to just over 1 billion lbs of CO2 reduced in the environment. Through this early detection, interns are also helping customers comply with new Clean Energy Act standards.
The career-connected learning experience is a true win-win-win. Students gain valuable real-world, relevant work experience alongside industry professionals. AEM helps customers become energy efficient and invest in on-the-job training, developing and equipping future professionals with valuable job and soft skills. Chelan PUD can sell available electricity saved through efficiencies on the open market, helping to keep local energy rates low. Additionally, JCPenney can reduce its utility expenses at stores nationwide, especially in areas where utility costs are high.
The Wenatchee High School internship program with AEM is not just an opportunity, it's a unique learning experience. Students learn about energy efficiency and data analysis in a way that few other programs can offer. They gain valuable experience working with real-world data, and, most importantly, they get to make a positive impact on the health of the environment, their local economy, and the national energy market.
Interns presented their learning to community members and area facility managers during a luncheon hosted by AEM and the Wenatchee School District Career & Technical Education Department. During the presentation, the students were surprised with an announcement that, as a group, they had been selected as a finalist for the NCW Tech Alliances Future Innovator Award. The award highlights up-and-coming future technology leaders in K-12.
Student interns: Isabella Garcia, Marisol Nava Araujo, Stephanie Salgado Ontiveros, Ximena Guerra Carillo, Sloane Eppich Talbot, Nathan Vargas, Aaden Juarez and Gael Nunez Sanchez