Northwestern Energy Technology Group Blog

Hey Guys and Gals,

NETG has teamed up with the Northwestern Energy & Sustainability Consortium for a cross-discplinary Brown Bag Lunch series. This will be an opportunity to chat with students from every corner of campus and learn about cleantech research, business, and policy.

Also, please join NETG for a screening of The Last Mountain on Jan 25.


NESC Brown Bag: Solar Development 101

Thursday, Jan 19, 12:15-1:00 pm, Norris Center Arch Room (206)

This session will take a very simple idea – the notion that we really ought to have more clean renewable power in the US – and demonstrate how to create a real life project. The session will cover the basics of identifying the opportunity as well as spotting and working through technical, political, legal, social, environmental, and financial issues.

Nick Haschka co-founded 532 Solar, a California industrial and utility scale solar PV power plant development company acquired by concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology company, Amonix in 2010. At Amonix, one of his roles involved leading development of 14 utility scale solar power plants. He’s currently a 1 year MBA student at Kellogg.


NETG Movie Night: The Last Mountain

Wednesday, Jan 25, 5:30-7:40 pm, 2122 Sheridan Road, Seabury Room 250 (Graduate Student Commons)

Pizza at 5:30, Movie at 6:00. RSVP.

The mining and burning of coal is at the epicenter of America’s struggle to balance its energy needs with environmental concerns. Nowhere is that concern greater than in Coal River Valley, West Virginia, where a small but passionate group of ordinary citizens are trying to stop Big Coal corporations, like Massey Energy, from continuing the devastating practice of Mountain Top Removal.



NESC Brown Bag: Li-ion Batteries

Thursday, Feb 2, 12:15-1:00 pm, Norris Center, Room TBA

Li-ion batteries are enabling a new era of electric vehicles. Drivers can now choose between hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric vehicles. Soon, drivers may be able to choose between on-the-go charging, battery-swap stations, and 200 mile battery range.

The session will highlight the differences between high-energy and high-power batteries, and illustrate relationships between automotive design and battery design. We will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of leading Li-ion manufacturers.