The Clean Power and Industrial Efficiency (CPIE) program at the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) has welcomed a new intern, Kasey Wharton, to join their team this summer. The Center was able to bring Kasey aboard through the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway, spearheaded by Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) and E4 Carolinas with support from the HASI Foundation and the Duke Energy Foundation.

The pathway program is competitive, and participants are accepted based on their academic achievement, career interests, commitment, professional readiness, and on their overall passion for the energy industry. The goal of the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway is to support future generations of the energy workforce by providing greater access for college students to obtain paid internships and training opportunities. HBCU Pathway Program Coordinator, Aleena Oakley, says, “Our goal is to provide HBCU students with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive in the energy sector.” The pathway began with four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and has now expanded to include a total of 16 HBCUs.

The internship focus for the program includes renewable energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives, and sustainability planning. The students get the opportunity to network with energy industry professionals and gain experience from attending conferences and connecting with professional associations.

Pictured above: NC A&T (Photo Source: State University)

Kasey is a Senior studying Mechanical engineering at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). NC A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is the largest historically black university in the country. Kasey’s advisor reached out to him and introduced him to the program. His advisor encouraged the opportunity to gain experience with how to become a better leader, build self confidence, and hone professional skills. Kasey says he chose to intern with NCCETC because he was “looking for an opportunity to learn more about clean energy and to continue gaining experience while working under a mechanical engineer who I aspire to be.”

Senior Engineer, Steve Lysenko, PE, CEM, is supervising Kasey over the summer, and is providing him with more of a learning experience rather than a part time job. Lysenko plans to introduce Kasey to different modeling tools including how to model solar PV projects using HelioScope and how to utilize the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL) REopt tool. Kasey will also learn more about onsite energy through trainings provided by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Another task Kasey will be assisting with is compiling a white paper on solar panel recycling for the Carolinas Renewable Energy Development Assistance and Siting Hub (DASH) project, which is funded by the DOE’s Reliable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program. As part of this work, Kasey will have the opportunity to visit a solar photovoltaic recycling facility later this month.

President of E4 Carolinas, Ken Canavan, says, “As a society, all we do, all we create, all we innovate depends on energy. A career in energy is not only personally rewarding but provides the foundation for today’s society. This program provides students with an opportunity to engage in this important field and employers exceptionally qualified candidates. It is a win for all.”

NCCETC looks forward to supporting Kasey through this initiative, and is excited about the possibilities that this program will bring to the Center in future years.