(Hayward USD Superintendent Matt Wayne and Engie VP Courtney Jenkins celebrate Hayward USD’s sustainable energy program, 2019. Credit: Engie Services US.)[/caption]
California’s Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) held a “flip-the-switch” event in honor of its 5.3MW solar photovoltaic and integrated electric vehicle (EV) and battery storage project, coupled with science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) education offerings aligned with the infrastructure improvements.
Through a partnership with Engie, HUSD’s energy upgrade represents a new approach to enhancing the learning environment, both inside and outside of the classroom — a key tenet of Hayward's Bond Measure H, which provides funding for facility upgrades. The program is expected to generate $65 million in energy savings that can go directly back to the general fund.
During the celebration event, superintendent Matt Wayne recognized the far-reaching impact of new sustainable energy across the district. All 33 sites within the district are in the process of going through infrastructure improvements, with solar shade structures, roofs, and ground mount arrays sized for all schools and administrative facilities. The new solar systems are expected to generate 8,100,000 kWh in the first year.
The district’s energy program is expected to achieve several key outcomes:
As part of the upgrades, HUSD schools are also becoming a community hub for EV charging. As more EVs hit the road and drivers are looking for a public place to charge them, district staff, students, and parents will be able to charge vehicles while class is in session. Engie worked with sister company EVBox to procure the EV charging stations. The three battery energy storage systems (BESS) are connected to solar arrays to reduce peak demand charges, optimize facility energy usage, and maximize utility savings.
It was paramount to the board and district leadership that the energy program extend beyond renewable energy installations and act as a foundation to enhance students' relationship to the science behind the sustainability project itself. With roughly 20,000 students across the district, it was critical to develop activities and opportunities for students of all ages to engage with the project so the technology came to life.
Engie’s education team partnered with principals and teachers across the district to design hands-on STEAM activities that turn the district into a living laboratory, using the modernizations as a platform for hands-on learning and STEAM career exposure. Some of the STEAM activities that were developed or linked to the design, construction, and implementation of the project include:
We are currently accepting submissions for the 2020 Environment + Energy Leader Awards. Learn more here.
