The DOE Office of Indian Energy is working with Tribes to build tribal energy capacity through education and training. Below are links to more information and presentation materials.
- Renewable Energy Curriculum
- Tribal Renewable Energy Webinar Series
- Tribal Leader Energy Forums
- Workshops and Presentations
WEBINARS AND ONLINE LEARNING
Renewable Energy Curriculum for Tribes
The Office of Indian Energy has developed an educational training program that provides tribal leaders and professionals with an overview of the project development process and financing of renewable energy projects on tribal lands. The curriculum includes foundational courses on renewable energy technologies, strategic energy planning, and grid basics, as well as advanced courses that provide in-depth information on tribal project development and financing. The courses are available as pre-recorded webinars that can be watched at any time either by clicking on the links below or visiting the the National Training & Education Resource (NTER) website, where you will be asked to create an account to access the webinars.
Foundational Courses
- Assessing Energy Needs and Resources
- Biomass
- Direct Use for Building Heat and Hot Water
- Electricity Grid Basics
- Geothermal
- Hydroelectric
- Strategic Energy Planning
- Solar
- Wind
Advanced Courses
- Project Development Process
- Project Financing Concepts
- Project Financing Process and Structures
- Commercial Scale Projects
- Community Scale Projects
- Facility Scale Projects
Tribal Renewable Energy Webinar Series
The DOE Office of Indian Energy, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Tribal Energy Program, and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) sponsor a series of free webinars on tribal renewable energy. The webinars are designed for tribal leaders and staff who are interested in developing commercial-scale projects, responding to utility offered requests for proposals, and/or learning more about the competitive power market. The webinars are held the last Wednesday of every month from January-October 2013 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mountain time. There is no cost to attend, but you must register in advance. Where available, links to related materials that you can read ahead of time to help prepare for the webinar are provided. Download the webinar series flyer.
Register for these upcoming webinars:
| Date | Topic | Read-Ahead Materials |
|---|---|---|
| May 29, 2013 | Regional Transmission Planning | On-Demand Webinar: Electricity Grid Basics |
| June 26, 2013 | Renewable Energy Project Leasing on Tribal Lands | |
| July 31, 2013 | Conducting Transmission Feasibility and System Impact Studies | |
| August 28, 2013 | Renewable Energy Market Expectations and Trends | |
| September 25, 2013 | Tribal and Utility Partnership Opportunities | |
| October 30, 2013 | Renewable Energy Case Studies: Tribal and Developer Perspectives |
Access presentations and recordings from these previous webinars on the WAPA website:
- Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) and Online Education Programs Update
- Renewable Energy Potential on Tribal Lands
- Understanding the Grid
- How Power Marketing Administrations Market Power and Work with Tribes
Webinar: Department of Defense Contracting Requirements for Energy Procurement
This Office of Indian Energy webinar highlights how the Department of Defense procures energy, energy products, and energy sources. Recorded on May 15, 2013. Download the Military Base Off-Taker Opportunities for Tribal Renewable Energy Projects report.
Webinar: Overview of Geothermal Energy Development
This Office of Indian Energy webinar provides information on developing geothermal resources on tribal lands with an overview of: geothermal resources by region; technology options; geothermal leasing and development policies such as resource ownership, water law and rights, leasing, and development at the federal, tribal, and state levels; and financing options and strategies. Recorded on January 10, 2012.
2012 Tribal Webinar Series
Watch recordings from the 2012 series of webinars sponsored by the DOE Office of Indian Energy, EERE Tribal Energy Program, and WAPA.
- Grid Reliability – Impacts to Tribal Renewable Projects
- Today’s Energy Supply – Yesterday’s Grid
- Understanding the Transmission Service Request & Interconnection Queue Process
- Unwinding Transmission Policies
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership Program
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Events
EERE offers training and events on numerous topics including wind, solar, water, biomass, buildings, weatherization, and more. View EERE events.
National Training & Education Resource
The National Training & Education Resource (NTER) provides easy access to online courses with 3D activities to enhance your learning experience. View courses on NTER.
TRIBAL LEADER ENERGY FORUMS
Previous Forums
Download presentations from the following previous Office of Indian Energy Tribal Leader Energy Forums:
- Conventional Energy and Associated Vertical Business Development Best Practices in Indian Country
- Energy Taxation Forum: Renewable Energy Tax Policy & Overcoming Inter-Jurisdictional Challenges
- Exploring the Business Link Opportunity: Transmission & Clean Energy Development in the West
- Oklahoma Tribal Leader Forum
- Tribal Leader Solar Energy Forum
WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS
2012 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention
During the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention held October 18–20 in Anchorage, the DOE Office of Indian Energy and the EERE Tribal Energy Program presented a preconference workshop entitled “Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Alaska Native Community Development.” The workshop was designed to help tribal leaders and staff understand the range of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities that exist in their remote communities, and also covered project development and financing for clean energy projects. Download the Alaska workshop presentations.
RETECH 2012
The Office of Indian Energy sponsored pre-conference session at the Renewable Energy Technology Conference (RETECH) held October 16, 2012, brought together government, tribal, and industry renewable energy leaders to explore best practices, public-private partnerships to support and encourage energy infrastructure solutions, and public finance options for tribal clean energy projects. Participants received updates on federal policy and program support for Indian Country clean energy initiatives; the rapidly expanding federal energy marketplace; tribal clean energy marketing opportunities; and opportunities for interactive discussion with renewable energy companies that already work in Indian Country, and those seeking collaborative partnerships with Tribes and tribal corporations. Download RETECH presentations.
Developing and Financing Renewable Energy Projects in Indian Country
Originally presented on March 1, 2012, during the Reservation Economic Summit 2012 (RES2012), this presentation provides an overview of a project development framework and financing options; demonstrating how renewable energy projects attract capital financing and are structured over the phases of the project. Download the presentation.
Tribal Leader Energy Education Initiative Workshop
The Tribal Leader Energy Education Initiative Workshop held on November 1, 2011, at the National Congress of American Indians provided information about the Office of Indian Energy’s efforts to develop training curriculum on renewable energy tribal project development and financing, including how to build a framework for project development in your Tribe, and ways to identify likely projects.