The explosion of ethanol plants will soon be followed by biodiesel plants, anaerobic plants, biomass facilities and large wind farms. Who will operate these facilities? If NRES has it's way, Nebraska students will be highly sought after by these fast growing industries because of their training and experience. Although this represents an outstanding potential goal for the higher education system in the state, there are many different ideas on how this important goal can be achieved.

NRES is taking a multi-faceted approach to this challenge. First, we will support institutions with an interest in enhancing renewable energy (RE) education in their classrooms. This can come in the form of a lecture in a scheduled class (which we have done many times) or supporting the development of course material dealing with these topics in more detail. NRES will also schedule seminars and workshops on selected topics during the year to expose students to the technologies in a real setting and allow them to see what is involved.

Secondly we will facilitate industry and student connection for employment through our extensive networking in the industry and familiarity with RE growth areas. NRES is eager to connect students to the industry and there is no charge for our assistance.

Finally, the NRES Renewable Energy Internship will provide selected students the opportunity to custom design their internship curriculum with us based on interest, career field of study and home institution goals. These goals can include hands on training in most areas of renewable energy production, building understanding and confidence you cannot gain in a classroom. This aspect of this internship opportunity is the hardest to find as well as the most important aspect of the program, giving an edge to anyone wanting to be involved with this industry.

The NRES Internship program is now in its third year and looking to further define how best to accomplish the enormous task of training Nebraska college students for the coming renewable energy industry. We had tremendous success last year under a state grant and are looking to build on those things we learned with last year's program. This year's program will focus on:

• Developing a renewable energy course of study within the students major
• Facilitate employment in existing renewable energy facilities
• Strengthen job finding prospects and provide job finding assistance/reference for Nebraska based bio-Industry
• Include out of state students in selection process instead of Nebraska students only
• Working with the students' geography to find the best fit
• Increase selection criteria for applicants due to demand
• Utilize Energy Farm assets for training and support
• Completing programs set up for college credits during the school year
• Continued major focus of the program will be during the summer months

Interns assembling turbine

Students assembling

Interns dropping wind turbine for maintenance checks at the Energy Farm, summer 2008

Last years program was a great success with many more applicants from Nebraska than were finally selected. With this internship training opportunity open to any US college student, these slots will get very competitive. Contact Robert if you are interested in pursuing such a program though NRES, and fill out the Internship Application and send it in.

Quotes from student reviews from last years program:

From a Biological Systems Engineering student from UNL:

"We have had it good for many years, using and misusing fuels supplies at will for countless decades without appreciating the simple forms of energy that are around us. In Nebraska there is a high number of farm animals and with only 1 commercial methane digester that is currently in construction in Grand Island, we rarely use the waste that we get from the farm animals. For my summer internship, I had the opportunity to start constructing a privately owned methane digester that will put to use farm animal waste like cow dung and bird droppings. Methane biogas digesters produce methane gas that can be used to for domestic use similar to the propane gas that we normally use."

From an engineer from University of Minnesota/Twin Cities:

"I learned a lot through this internship. I came into this job blind, not knowing anything about renewable energy. I learned how biodiesel was made, which seeds have more oil, the different preparation processes for each seed, and the future of biodiesel. I became aware of how efficient and productive wind and solar power are. The most important aspect of this internship was actually the living situation. I lived off grid. The house was powered by a 1-kilowatt wind turbine integrated with 500 watts of photovoltaic cells. These devices charged a battery bank that was connected to an inverter. The inverter then provided power to the house. There was a backup biodiesel generator that was used for heavy loads and running water. Because of the limited power I had to be conscious of everything I used. On a day that wasn't windy I would have to make sure I wasn't wasting any energy, because if I wanted to watch television later, read and needed a light, or wanted to work on my computer I needed to make sure there was power for those items to operate. The most valuable tool I learned from this internship was conservation."

From a student from University of Minnesota/Duluth:

"Through both reading and hands on experience, I have learned about various renewable energy types, their basic construction, operation, and benefits. As a result, my interest and intent in learning about this industry will continue after this internship concludes."

From a student from University of Massachusetts:

"Overall, this internship has set me on my way towards a destiny. There's so much to be done, and the world is wide open for those who know what to pursue. I know I must have come a long way, because I convinced my parents to support me in an entrepreneurial effort as opposed to just getting a job."

From a UNL student:

"The internship was ultimately a great success. It was personally fulfilling as I was given the opportunity to explore policy and technology of an emerging market quickly becoming integral to Nebraska's rural economic future. The hands-off oversight of Mr. Byrnes and NRES forced me to be self-reliant and responsible and encouraged personal investment in the project. As such, I would highly recommend the internship."

From a Chemist in a Nebraska state college:

"When I started the internship, I knew nothing about making ethanol. I writing this report, I realized there is no way I could fit everything I've learned into two pages...this report is just a small fraction of what I have learned about the process of making ethanol...What I really liked about the internship was the experience in the laboratory. Before this internship I was always hesitant in the laboratory, lacking confidence is another way to put it. I have more confidence in the laboratory now..."

From a former Natural Resources student at UNL

"Actually being able to use studied theories and information in the field is a whole other story. Being an intern for NRES gave me the proof I needed to be confident in my capability to accomplish anything! It gave me the hands on experience I needed to connect with everything I learned in a classroom and anything I did not know, I was able to research."

From a Nebraska Political Science student

"Secondly, It has shown me a glimpse of the Unicameral and how it works, bringing around the idea that I would like to work in it one day...I would never have learned such skills if it was not for this internship."

From a Wayne State student:

"The internship increased my knowledge on renewable energy, taught me how the different kinds of energy worked and influenced me to do more in the future."

From a UNL student that worked on the Energy Farm:

"Renewable carries the underlying concept of sustainability, which is achieved when decisions are made by people of the current generation to not impede upon the options or opportunities of the future generations. It was this concept of community development that I mark as the most important piece of knowledge that I took away from this internship."

From another UNL student:

"During my 9 month tenure in the program, I have had many different and valuable experiences that have introduced me to the politics and policy challenges facing renewable energy development in Nebraska as well as the United States, given me many contacts and allowed me opportunities to grow on academic, professional and personal levels."

From a computer science student at Dana College:

"This internship has been a very rewarding experience. I am very happy to have been given the chance to share my talents and am grateful for the opportunity to learn so much about renewable energy. This program enabled me to cultivate my understanding of renewable energy and become much more aware of the importance that natural resources play in meeting our world's energy needs. Without a doubt I will carry my experiences this summer with me for the rest of my life."