Energizing the Workforce: A Supportive Return
Myself and the other members of the SJVCEO are thankful that we have been able to continue to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. While working from home or remotely, we have had to make some adjustments, however, we are still able to work through the days safely in our own homes. We are pushing the three-month mark, so yes things have changed, especially in the context of face to face meetings. For our organization, we are unsure of when we will be able to meet in person with partners again, but rest assured, the day will come!
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Technology Tuesday: Smart Sockets
What is a smart socket? It’s actually just a fancy way to say smart plug. That may have taken some of the allure out of this topic but I assure you, smart sockets are really super cool!
Your next question is very likely going to be, “what makes them so smart?” Well, they make all of your “dumb” devices into “smart” devices. A smart socket connects to wifi and is usually associated with a mobile app and allows you to control devices remotely. Ever leave your house and wonder if you switched off your curling iron or television? Have you ever left your workstation and wondered if you turned off your monitor or task lamp?
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Energizing the Workforce: Unemployment and EE
As a participant of many webinars over the last couple of months, I have been able to utilize educational tools in new ways and absorb new information daily. Through this, there has been a commonality between many of the webinars or calls that I have participated in (and no, it is not Zoom/WebEx/Skype technical difficulties). Before digging into a specific topic, the conversation of Clean Energy Jobs often presents itself.
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Technology Tuesday: Electric Leaf Blowers
I hope you are enjoying a great week. This week, I would like to call attention to something that you, very likely, don’t think about much: your facility landscaping care equipment.
Sure, it’s unassuming and is only used for a few hours on a weekly basis, in most cases. However, this equipment is probably all gas-powered. What’s the big deal, you ask? Most gas-powered leaf blowers are powered by a two-stroke engine. This type of engine does not have an independent lubricating mechanism and must mix oil with gas in the combustion process in order to function properly. Translation: the amount of harmful emissions that come from them is significant.
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Take COVER, SJVCEO has some new tunes!
Whether using them to protect ourselves or hiding under them, covers are all the rage right now. Team SJVCEO is in both camps, but music is a salve, and thankfully songs we love have second lives in the hands of a different artist. So, whether you’re listening from deep within your bedsheets or while trying to learn to breathe through a face mask on your daily run, here’s our best-covered tracks to take you through another month.
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Energizing the Workforce: Equality VS Equity
As I was perusing Twitter, there was an overwhelming number of articles and links of the current status of the world today and then I came across the visual above. While it was the last thing that I expected, I examined it for a few seconds and then continued to scroll.
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Technology Tuesday: Virtual Power Plants
I thought I would share a concept with you that is still relatively new but has been gaining traction in recent years: Virtual Power Plants.
With the increasing need for demand response and increasing presence of independent power producers, there has also been an increase in the need for innovation in the energy sector. Electricity infrastructure is becoming more diverse and the concept of Virtual Power Plants allows those diverse and, often, sporadically located energy resources to be integrated.
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1:1 Energy Coaching is HERE!!!
The SJVCEO team is offering one-on-one sessions to help you return as an Energy Champion!
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Energizing the Workforce: New Normal, Same Purpose
The new way of living that we are currently facing as a globe is causing us to take a step back and evaluate many components of our day to day life. Whether that is in your personal or professional routines, changes seem to be coming into existence every day. An overwhelming amount of news and media platforms have taken vast control of our working days and I have found it rather difficult to remain entirely focused on my daily tasks
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Technology Tuesday: Battery Storage
Here’s the $64,000 question: should I incorporate battery storage?
The short answer to that question is MAYBE! That is, most likely, not the answer you were looking for but the reality is, every situation is different. Let’s discuss some of the benefits of battery storage and you can make that decision for yourself.
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A LOCKDOWN is better with beats
April Spotify- How are things going for Team SJVCEO? Oh, well…Rochelle is thriving in this new work from home world. Samantha is a machine and will excel anywhere. Courtney and Kelsey are dying on the vine from lack of human contact. So, you know, exactly as expected.
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Technology Tuesday: Adaptive Weather Resistant Barrier (AWRB)
Tomorrow is April Fools Day. BUT…
Before you go leaving a BIG Krispy Kreme doughnut box in your breakroom filled with veggies, covering someone’s workstation (and everything in it) with foil, or placing bubble wrap under a rug in a common area and watching as people walk by, I want to be sure we get our bi-weekly dose of energy-efficient technology in.
I came across a brand new technology in my research which I am very excited about. Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a building envelope barrier that can help control moisture, prevent mold, and increase energy efficiency? It is in development right now and it is called Adaptive Weather Resistant Barrier (AWRB).
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Energizing the Workforce: Open to Open Hiring
In addition to the movements discussed in the February Edition of Energizing the Workforce, there is one clear pathway that is being more commonly discussed among businesses in terms of expanding their scope of employment. OPEN HIRING! Businesses and organizations all over the United States are engaging in this practice to help widen the hiring scope.
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UPDATES: SJVCEO Cancellations, Postponements, and Transitions
Like many of you, the SJVCEO has transitioned our staff to work from home and canceled travel. We are currently following State and CDC recommendations while remaining as fluid and flexible as possible, but most importantly, we remain optimistic.
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Technology Tuesday: Smart Neighborhoods
Happy St. Patrick’s Day METU partners!
I am sure we have all heard of smart phones, smart cars, and smart watches. Some of us even live in smart homes but have you heard of a smart neighborhood?
This concept has been slowly appearing across the country in places like suburban Birmingham, Alabama and the Upper West Side of Altanta, Georgia. A smart neighborhood may be on its way somewhere near you!
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SJVCEO is pondering a very important question...
Let’s be clear: there is a distinct difference between passion and purpose. A passion drives you whereas purpose is what makes you dig your heels in. Not because you’re being stubborn, but because you have a righteous path ahead and you’re determined to follow it.
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Technology Tuesday: Advanced Power-Strips
Running out of ideas to save on your energy costs? Not us!
Here is something you may not have thought about: Smart or Advanced Power Strips!
They are called “Smart Power Strips” and “Advanced Power Strips” fairly interchangeably. However, these types of Power Strips, mainly, come in 2 varieties: Tier I and Tier II. What is the difference between them? Allow me to explain:
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Energizing the Workforce: Giving Second Chances
There are many reasons as to why I began writing about workforce equity in the energy industry
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Technology Tuesday: Solar Windows
In recent years, it seems no conversation about energy savings can be had without the mention of solar electricity generation. People love it because it makes a very visible statement about your agency’s commitment to renewable energy. However, as with all technology, solar panels have their drawbacks. For example, the necessity to have them cleaned to maintain their efficacy and their inability, in some applications, to generate electricity all hours during which the sun is out.
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VIEW the Success!
Our 9th Annual View the Success! Luncheon took place last month at the Vintage Press in Visalia. The text below is adapted directly from our Executive Director, Courtney Kalashian’ s speech at the event.
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