EMPOWERED Solutions: Empowering Communities: Essential Training for Solar, Storage, Electric Vehicles, and Electrification

To meet resilience and climate goals, more buildings will incorporate all-electric designs and solutions, powered by solar and energy storage, including charging for electric vehicles. These emerging technologies will impact everyone from the architects and engineers who specify the solutions, to the building owners who evaluate the proposals. As installers and developers keep pace with the growing demand for solar, energy storage, efficient heating and cooling, and electric vehicle charging, authorities having jurisdiction want to better understand the technology and code compliance. Simultaneously, firefighters and first responders are also adding to their standard operating procedures to safely respond to buildings with these technologies. 

In this webinar you will learn about training and resources developed by experts from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), New Buildings Institute (NBI), Southface Energy Institute, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

You will gain access to free and easy to understand resources and CEU-bearing training such as:

• 5-15 minute basics about the technologies
• All-electric design guides
• Basic building science education
• Code compliance training: HVAC, mechanical, and building envelope for high performance buildings
• Permitting and inspection guides for solar, storage, and electric vehicle supply equipment
• Safe operations for first responders 

You will walk away with an understanding of what makes these resources unique and effective. Register today for your spot in this important conversation!

Speakers:

• Kristen Hagerty, Senior Director of Workforce Development, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) (Moderator)
• Sean DeCrane, Director, Fire Fighter Health and Safety Operational Services, International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
• Amie Lewis, Senior Project Manager, Codes and Policy, New Buildings Institute (NBI)
• Spencer Rose, Multi-Team Program Coordinator, Southface Energy Institute
• Matthew Harris, Senior Workforce Program Manager, Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)

Slides:

• IREC Intro Slides
• IAFF Slides
• Southface Slides
• NBI Slides
• IREC Clearinghouse Slides

Additional Resources Are Below:

Code officials/ AHJs

• IREC: Permitting & Inspection for PV and ESS
• Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry (IAEI): Renewable Energy Systems—Requirements for PV, ESS & Turbines
• Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry (IAEI): On-Demand Training for Electrical Inspectors
• International Code Council (ICC): I-Codes & Standards training, live online and in-person; on-demand
• New Buildings Institute: Permitting & Inspection Guides

Home and Building Owners, Architects, Designers, Builders

• Southface Energy Institute: Learning Management System
• New Buildings Institute: High-Efficiency Electrification Technology Training (HEET)
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Building Science Education Center
• Slipstream: Continuing Education Resources

Fire Service and First Responders

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): EV Emergency Response Guides 
• NFPA: EV Response Training
• NFPA: Energy storage system training
• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)/ UL: Report: Considerations for Fire Service Response to Residential Battery Energy Storage System Incidents (Dec 2023)

Worker Training

• Green Workforce Connect: Jobs and Training with the Weatherization Assistance Program
• ICAST: HVAC Technician Training

This material was developed by New Buildings Institute, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Steven Winters Associates, and partner organizations. The project was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Award Number DE-EE0009747 (“BENEFIT”). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Department of Energy or the United States Government.