Foundations for Engineering Education for Distributed Energy Resources
Stored: Foundations for Engineering Education for Distributed Energy Resources
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Foundations for Engineering Education for Distributed Energy Resources (FEEDER) is a consortium of 12 U.S. universities, 17 utility companies, 10 industry partners, and 2 national labs, established under the DOE’s GEARED program to enhance education and research in power systems engineering for distributed energy resources (DER) and smart grid adoption. Administered by the University of Central Florida, FEEDER integrates academic, industry, and federal efforts to train the next generation of engineers, accelerate technology transfer, and address real-world challenges in renewable energy integration.
Mission
FEEDER’s mission is to prepare students and professionals for a modern electric grid by developing and sharing cutting-edge power systems curricula, conducting collaborative research on DER and smart grids, and providing training that bridges academic knowledge with industry needs. It supports DOE’s SunShot Initiative by fostering expertise in distributed renewable energy, enhancing grid reliability, and promoting sustainable energy solutions through annual gatherings and cross-institutional efforts.
Parent organization
FEEDER is administered by the University of Central Florida, which coordinates its educational and research activities through the FEEDER Institute for Distributed Technologies and Renewable Energy. The Department of Energy serves as the top organization, funding and overseeing FEEDER as part of the Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment (GEARED) program.
Legislation
FEEDER was launched under the Grid Engineering for Accelerated Renewable Energy Deployment Program in 2013, a DOE initiative to advance renewable energy training, with no specific legislative act but tied to broader DOE authority.
Partners
FEEDER’s partners include:
- University of Central Florida (lead)
- 11 other universities (e.g., University of Kentucky, Florida State University)
- 17 utilities (e.g., Duke Energy, Southern Company)
- 10 industry firms and 2 national labs (e.g., Oak Ridge National Laboratory)[1]
Number of employees
FEEDER does not have a dedicated staff count; it relies on faculty, researchers, and support personnel from UCF and partner institutions, with contributions from dozens across the consortium.
Organization structure
FEEDER operates as a distributed consortium with:
- Research Center for Distributed Technologies and Smart Grid conducts industry-sponsored studies.
- Institute for Distributed Technologies and Renewable Energy develops curricula and training.
Leader
FEEDER is overseen by a Director, with Zhihua Qu serving as the founding director at UCF, guiding its strategic and operational efforts.[2]
Divisions
The efforts include:
- Curriculum Development for smart grid courses.
- Research Teams for DER integration studies.
- Training Programs for utility workforce education.
List of programs
FEEDER’s key programs include:
- Smart Grid Curriculum Development
- Distributed Energy Research Projects
- Professional Short Courses for Utilities[3]
Last total enacted budget
FEEDER received an initial $1 million DOE award in 2013, with $250,000 in cost-share from partners, though specific annual budgets beyond this are not detailed.[4]
Staff
Staffing is drawn from UCF and partner entities, including professors like Zhihua Qu, graduate students, and utility experts, with no fixed headcount but likely dozens involved.
Funding
FEEDER’s funding began with a $1 million DOE grant in 2013, supplemented by $250,000 from partners, with additional resources from subsequent GEARED allocations and industry contributions through 2019.
Services provided
FEEDER develops and shares power systems curricula, conducts research on DER and smart grid technologies, and offers training workshops to enhance workforce skills and accelerate renewable energy adoption.
Regulations overseen
FEEDER does not oversee regulations but supports DOE’s energy policy goals indirectly through education and research.
Headquarters address
4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA (UCF campus)
History
FEEDER was established in 2013 under DOE’s GEARED program, led by UCF, to address the shortage of power systems engineers amid growing renewable energy needs. It expanded through partnerships, concluding much of its formal activity by 2019 while leaving a legacy of curricula and research.[5]
External links
References
- ↑ "Project Profile: UCF". U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/project-profile-university-central-florida.
- ↑ "FEEDER Report". OSTI. June 26, 2019. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1545762.
- ↑ "FEEDER Home". FEEDER Consortium. https://feeder-center.org/.
- ↑ "Project Profile: UCF". U.S. Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/project-profile-university-central-florida.
- ↑ "FEEDER Report". OSTI. June 26, 2019. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1545762.