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Empowering Students at Ponderosa High School
In the heart of Coconino County, Arizona, Ponderosa High School stands as a beacon of hope for students striving to improve their academic standings and secure their futures. Many students arrive facing credit deficiencies or are re-entering education after absences. This alternative school not only represents a second chance but also acts as a catalyst for personal growth.
The significance of Ponderosa has captured the attention of Coconino County Schools, which chose this institution as part of an innovative energy project supported by the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
“Our objective is to reshape perspectives by presenting our students with new opportunities—ultimately guiding them toward industries they might not have previously considered,” expressed Les Hauer, Principal at Ponderosa High School. “The future in energy fields is bright and full of potential; this initiative enables us to showcase that potential while equipping our learners for success.”
A Shift in Focus: IN2’s New Cohort Initiative
Coconino County is among ten participants selected for IN2’s latest cohort—a noteworthy evolution in the program’s approach after ten years dedicated primarily to startups. For the first time ever, IN2 has pivoted its emphasis toward aiding established organizations in implementing innovative energy technologies.
Prior to presenting their initiatives in December 2025, cohort members underwent extensive preparation involving technology evaluation and impact assessments. Each participant showcased their proposals aimed at installing tools or systems over six months; winners would share a substantial $750,000 funding from Wells Fargo dedicated to project development.
“This marks an exciting new chapter for IN2,” stated Sarah Derdowski, Program Manager at IN2. “We remain committed to assisting startups beyond early-stage challenges but now can also drive meaningful advancements through technology implementation.”
Diverse Participants Driving Change
Members enrolled in this transformative cohort include:
Avangrid
Coconino County
CBRE
Digital Realty
Galvanize Real Estate (GRE)
Intermountain Health
Prime Data Centers
Schneider Electric
Southern Company
10 University of Colorado Boulder
While many participants are large corporations that already possess considerable resources and funding capacities, they encounter distinctive challenges where support from IN2 proves critical during implementation phases often faced with resistance due predominantly to profitability concerns.
As Howard Branz from Galvanize Climate Solutions explains: “Innovating through new technologies tends traditionally to be viewed as both an expense and risk within any organization regardless of size.” He further emphasized that aligning profitability with progress relies on testing solutions effectively within actual environments—thus ensuring advancements contribute positively towards corporate objectives.
A Visionary Approach from Coconino County
Among various proposals pitched early last December was Coconino County’s ambitious plan aimed at achieving a notable reduction—in energy consumption by an impressive target set at 40%, all while devising a model replicable across schools regionally.
Superintendent Cheryl Mango-Paget shared aspirations stating, “Our intent lies in revitalizing local schools through establishing ourselves as exemplars concerning retrofits alongside sustainable energy practices.”
Ponderosa High School serves approximately 70 students located near one of America’s iconic landmarks—the Grand Canyon—and has earmarked HVAC systems’ upgrades due their current inadequacies being ripe for replacement amid age-related obsolescence; facilitating such developments aims also yield broader benefits across other educational facilities surrounding it.
Critical components regarding realization involve integrating three specific technologies into one infrastructure platform:
1) Blue Frontier—an alumnus from earlier cohorts—will deploy advanced AC units leveraging liquid desiccant tech designed by NREL,
2) Rensair will enhance indoor air quality metrics,
3) And Komfort will address lighting efficiency concerns.
Expectations deduced during preliminary stages indicate these systems could potentially halve current utility expenses when implemented correctly—with estimates showing surgeons potentially replacing up to eighteen conventional units using just one Blue Frontier system installed locally!
By combining cutting-edge approaches like these alongside collaborative spirit amongst members aspiring towards accelerating progression witnessed firsthand perhaps ultimately reveals underlying messages underscoring necessity detaching pursuit traditional expectations throughout sectors diversifying modernization thereafter instigated leading realizations widely attainable sooner than anticipated!
Fostering Future Innovations: A Look at IN2 and Renewable Energy Initiatives
Engaging Students in Sustainable Practices
The collaboration involving Coconino County, NREL, and IN2 is proving to be a transformative educational experience. As emphasized by Hauer, this partnership is more than just theoretical; it provides invaluable hands-on learning opportunities that allow students to observe real-world installations firsthand. While students won’t engage in the installation directly, they will still acquire essential knowledge about potential career paths within the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and advanced energy sectors.
CBRE’s Strategic Shift: From Cement to HVAC Solutions
Jeff Dunbar, senior sustainability director at CBRE, initially anticipated that their involvement with IN2 would focus on advanced cement technology. However, given the limited six-month timeline for implementation, he opted for a more immediate solution centered around rooftop HVAC units. “We replace thousands of rooftop systems annually across the U.S.,” said Dunbar. “This made it an easy pathway for us.”
With management responsibilities over more than 7 billion square feet of property globally and spending upwards of $33 billion on suppliers last year alone, CBRE quickly identified a viable direction in HVAC technology with guidance from NREL.
Dunbar recounted his experience saying: “I found myself at NREL examining Blue Frontier’s technology model while one of their engineers detailed its functionality.” This collaborative effort led to identifying an ideal site meeting necessary specifications located in Delaware.
The upcoming pilot initiative involves deploying Blue Frontier’s innovative unit at this Delaware location with aspirations for future installations across other sites nationwide. Designed as a drop-in replacement unit that seamlessly fits into existing infrastructure without costly alterations adds significant value. “By summer’s end,” Dunbar expressed during his pitch presentation, “we hope to gather sufficient data convincing us to advance this endeavor.”
Despite pivoting towards HVAC solutions right now, CBRE remains open to exploring advanced cement projects down the line as discussions continue around potential partnerships for later initiatives.
Intermountain Health’s Commitment to Advanced Technology
Glen Garrick serves as System Sustainability Director at Intermountain Health where he’s pursuing separate initiatives alongside NREL outside traditional vehicle systems currently employed by their fleet of 16 shuttles—slated for replacement with advanced technologies.
Initially met with skepticism from staff regarding feasibility shifts in transportation methods; however momentum gained post-interaction via discussions held directly at NREL strengthened resolve among hesitant team members facing experts.
Operating approximately 400 clinics paired with 34 hospitals throughout regions known colloquially as “Intermountain West”, plans are underway for ordering new shuttle models set into service beginning in 2026 following initial orders established within next year’s operational budgets.
In addition having shuttles revamped under greener standards described above; Garrick discussed launching pilot projects incorporating solar canopies featuring tracking panels along energy storage capabilities—emphasizing long-term investment returns essential since such proposals otherwise face hurdles gaining financial approval separately outside current support programs aid through IN2 providing external funding sources crucial toward preventing compromises impacting patient care budgets.
The Impact of Expert Consultation
Participants within this latest cohort under IN2 haven’t navigated challenges independently thanks largely due their access expert consultants provided through engagements coordinated by both entities involved—including Overlay Build helping bolster strategies while minimizing technical hindrances common newcomers encounter when venturing intodifferent technological innovations either transitioning or implementing novel objectives set forth overall company goals satisfactorily moving forward ensuring sustainable practices become integral behaviors embedded organizational culture seamlessly,
Focusing closely on identifying effective solutions meant narrowing an overwhelming array once consisting over no less than168 technologies considered suitable pertaining respective project intents—inclusive struggling earlier experiences Joanna Mango-Paget experienced emotion-laden moment witnessing initially daunting lists presented before finally gaining clarity from insights offered aided Partnered collaborations effectively streaming hierarchical processes optimized towards discovering supplier options favorably impacting community outreach efforts localized emphases placed minimizing budget limitations overall considering larger existential framework necessity advancing efficiency encapsulated holistic approaches respectively understood ultimately intention seeks uphold standards aligned deeper values pursued community-wide benefit requisite beyond mere profitability alone outlined intrinsic vision professionals drive change forwards creating pathways invigorating communities moving progressively towards brighter futures!
Pioneering Innovations in Clean Technology: NREL and IN2 Collaboration
Advancing Risk Mitigation Strategies
In Delaware, advancements are happening thanks to the collaboration between industry partners and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). According to Dunbar, these developments significantly reduce risk as they strive for scalable solutions. The enthusiasm surrounding being at the forefront of this technological wave is palpable.
Building Lasting Partnerships Beyond Initial Projects
The value derived from NREL’s expertise extends well beyond the confines of its formal collaborations within the IN2 framework. Garrick has noted that Intermountain’s alliance with NREL is likely to persist independently of any specific project under IN2.
“I foresee potential new initiatives emerging within six months,” he stated. “Having established contacts, I believe it’s very possible we’ll reach out directly for additional support.”
Through a combination of immediate educational resources and future actionable strategies, both NREL and IN2 enable organizations to tackle challenges effectively, embrace innovative technologies, and achieve quantifiable advancements.
Recognizing Achievements: The Pilot Project Funding Allocation
Out of ten pioneers in this groundbreaking cohort, five organizations were awarded financial grants aimed at facilitating their projects:
CBRE received $150,000 dedicated to engineering, design, and prototype construction expenses for scalability assessments.
Coconino County secured $55,000 supporting components related to Rensair and Komfort.
Digital Realty was granted $125,000 to collaborate with Hayzel on enhancing cooling systems within its data centers located in Santa Clara, California.
Galvanize Real Estate earned $200,000 for pilot projects involving EnKoat—a company from the IN2 portfolio—and Alpen across a building site in Pedricktown, New Jersey.
The University of Colorado Boulder obtained $220,000 set aside for retrofitting older building windows with high-performance glass through a partnership with INOVUES.
All funded pilot projects are expected to be finalized within a span of six months followed by ongoing monitoring from NREL which will share status updates later on.
Equally importantly are those participants who did not secure funding; they all leave armed with customized playbooks focused on technology adoption as well as valuable insights regarding digitization techniques and change management strategies.
“The relationships forged during this program represent an award in itself,” reflected Derdowski. “We’re already witnessing renewed commitments toward cultural transformation across these organizations.”
Garrick expressed gratitude towards the process stating that it salvaged one critical initiative due primarily to connections made through NREL. “Without their involvement,” he mentioned emphatically “that project would have faced termination.”
Tracking Progress: Future Updates
For ongoing information about how these installations progress over time visit www.in2ecosystem.com later this year where updates will be posted regularly.
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The post Unleashing Innovation: Meet the New IN² Cohort Driving Advanced Energy Solutions Forward! first appeared on Tech News.
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Author : Tech-News Team
Publish date : 2025-03-01 05:55:31
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