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By Indiana Reed/Journal Correspondent
May 3, 2004, 07:55 am

BP teams up with NREL to develop educational outreach

BAYFIELD - As part of the ongoing effort to remind the world that it's a well-rounded "energy" company, and not solely focused on oil and gas production, BP North America has teamed up with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo., to produce the Renewable Energy and Efficiency Education on Wheels (RnE2EW).

The first of its kind in the country, the specially designed educational outreach vehicle made its debut appearance in southwest Colorado recently, traveling to both Bayfield Middle School and Escalante Middle School in Durango, to introduce the variety of renewable energy options to students and provide resources for teachers.

"We've had students from Dolores, Ignacio, Pagosa Springs (in addition to Durango and Bayfield)... It's been just amazing, the response," said Dr. Cynthia Howell, director of NREL's Office of Education Programs, of the school districts that brought in students for the hands-on science lessons - some 600 over two days. "We're very, very pleased. This seems to be the response we get wherever we go, and that's exciting... and I can't tell you the number of requests I have received. It's spiraled."

Initially intended to circulate within the state of Colorado its first year, travel regionally the second and expand to national trips the third year, the vehicle's travel plans were necessarily accelerated. Though Colorado Gov. Bill Owens did have opportunity to "roll out" the vehicle at the state capitol in February, RnE2EW has made a trip to Albuquerque, recently returning from being "shown off" at the Western Governor's Conference.

"It'll be home for a couple of days before we get on the road for Washington D.C.," said Howell, explaining that RnE2EW will receive national notoriety when unveiled by U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham. "That's a very incredible experience," though she notes that once the excitement has leveled off, NREL intends to focus on serving primarily the rural populations.

On the drawing board since 2000, RnE2EW was finally completed in Fall 2003. BP North America contributed some $220,000 to build and outfit the physical vehicle, which consists of an over-sized van and attached trailer literally filled with science experiments and renewable energy information. NREL matched dollar for dollar with in-kind contributions, including the time of Visual Artist II Alfred Hicks, in NREL's Office of Communications, who designed the project - inside and out - and has already won several awards for his efforts, according to Howell.

Boldly decorated, the vehicle is also high tech. It sports a set of solar panels, built by BP Solar, on the roof, which, among other things, powers the four computers inside the van. The miniature windmill attached to the trailer supplies power for many of the demonstrations.

"I explain to them the difference between renewable and non-renewable energy and why we have to have both," said Dan Larson, BP's regional director of government and public affairs. "In fact it's convenient here (in Bayfield) because... there's a gas well right down the hill... We talked about natural gas, petroleum and coal. What happens when you use it? It goes away - non-renewable."

That, according to Larson, is why BP is moving into the renewable business with solar and hydrogen projects. Educating the middle school students of today will theoretically supply BP with its customers of tomorrow.

"We're getting ready for the day when we'll be using less non-renewables," he said, also noting that conserving energy is part of the presentation. "We show them if they do things like turn off their light and computer and TV at home, it'll make a difference."

Hands-on experiments for children run from RnE2EW include demonstrations on solar energy and how to generate electricity from the sun, as well as work with hydrogen and fuel cell technology.

"These are things when you don't have the resources in schools you don't get an opportunity to do," said Howell. "Most of the technologies that we're working on and presenting here are such in-the-future, high level, technological things... How many kids get to work with fuel cells? Pretty incredible... In talking with these students (we say) 'Anywhere from 10 to 20 years you're going to be buying fuel cell cars. You're going to be in that technology.' For them to understand, it's great."

While student demonstrations ensue outside the vehicle, teachers have opportunity to explore the extensive resources inside. Set up as a mini-learning laboratory, teachers can scroll through a computer database of K-12 lessons, including experiments, and download the information desired on a CD for use in their own classrooms.

"They're aligned to standards already, so teachers don't have to worry about that," said Howell of the educational modules designed by her five-member team at NREL, and adding that renewable energy questions are now appearing on the standardized tests. "Teachers always walk away with lots of resources for their schools, and we feel that's more significantly important than just doing the demonstrations."

Displays inside RnE2EW cover all aspects of renewable energy, and videos are available for screening. For those teachers without access to computers in their classrooms, "hard copy" information is also available.

"We'd prefer not to have the paper, but the bottom line is, it's still necessary," said Howell, noting that during consumer events the instructional pieces are replaced with information geared for the public. "The exciting thing about this is, is that it's really both a teacher and a consumer resource center."

The Renewable Energy and Efficiency and Education on Wheels will return to the region in the fall. As part of the BP-NREL partnership, BP enjoys regular access to the vehicle. Also, Howell has recently learned of the Durango Discovery Museum, the soon-to-be built "energy" museum for all ages, and she looks forward to assisting the effort on a variety of levels as it goes forward.

"You're always going to need energy," said Larson. "People are always going to want to drive their car. They're always going to want to heat their houses, so you always have to have energy. It's just, where is that energy coming from? With these kids, when you explain it to them, they go, 'Oh yeah, that is cool.' ... The kids are getting it."

But Howell looks to the day that RnE2EW is passé.

"It takes a while to get something like this out for people to say 'Wow, this is valuable.' The good news will be, when it gets to the point that it's old hat," she said, implying that at that point everyone should be familiar with and employing renewable energy practices. "We're delighted we're able to do this with our partnership. It's been great working with BP, and we have a lot more to do."

The BP-NREL project has already spawned a similar one with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. The group has budgeted $4 million for a custom vehicle that will be larger than RnE2EW.

"We've done it really cost-effectively," said Howell. "We're a small organization. I could have people on the road every day, but that's just not do-able."