Sustainable End-of-Life Practices for Renewable Energy

The Implication of End-Of-Life Considerations on the Future of Entrepreneurship

October 16-17, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

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The course “Sustainable End-of-Life Practices for Renewable Energy” is designed for professionals in the renewable energy industry who are looking to delve deeper into the evolving landscape of sustainability and recycling. As we transition from the “sunset” of outdated technologies to the “sunrise” of innovative solutions, it is crucial for industry stakeholders to stay ahead of the curve and shape the next horizon of sustainable practices.

Through a combination of lectures, interactive workshops, and real-world case studies, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in end-of-life management. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped with the tools and strategies to implement sustainable practices, drive innovation, and promote environmental stewardship in the renewable energy industry.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in end-of-life management
• Discover the environmental impact of solar panel disposal
• Review the regulatory environment that governs the decommissioning and recycling of solar panels
• Review the steps involved in the decommissioning process, including site assessment, dismantling, and disposal
• Discuss challenges in scaling up recycling infrastructure and implementing effective practices
• Discover the principles and practices that underlie relationship-building and collaboration within Indigenous communities in terms of working in the renewables industry
• Review funding opportunities and resources available to support entrepreneurs starting and growing their businesses
• Explore legal requirements and strategies for community and workforce development
• Analyze case studies showcasing successful decommissioning projects

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 : Central Time

 

9:00 – 9:05 a.m. :: Overview and Instructions

Environmental Impact and Cross-Border Solutions for Solar Panel Disposal

• Components and materials that make up solar panels, and the potential environmental footprint they leave behind
• Methods for disposing of solar panels at the end of their lifecycle, and the environmental repercussions of these practices
• Complexities involved in managing electronic waste
• Existing regulatory landscape and initiatives
• Cutting-edge solutions and technologies that hold promise for reducing the environmental impact
• Benefits and drawbacks of using non-profits or community groups to achieve goals

Exploring the Regulatory Landscape for Decommissioning and Recycling Solar Panels

• Domestic and international regulations
• Justice 40 Initiative and its implications for the renewable energy sector
• Roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders, including manufacturers, installers, and waste management facilities, in meeting regulatory requirements
• Regulations and compliance monitoring
• IRA requirements for domestic content and workforce protections
• Industry standards and best practices
• Data on the successful execution of regulatory frameworks in different regions

Workplace Best Practices in Solar Decommissioning

This session will focus on exploring the best practices in the decommissioning process of solar panels, emphasizing the importance of environmentally responsible practices and sustainable approaches to end-of-life management.

• Decommissioning process for solar panels, including site assessment, dismantling, and disposal
• Best practices for handling and storing decommissioned solar panels to prevent environmental contamination
• Safety protocols and procedures to protect workers and the environment
• Strategies for maximizing the recovery and recycling of valuable materials from decommissioned solar panels
• Case studies showcasing successful implementation of best practices in solar panel decommissioning projects

Opportunities and Challenges for Organizations Serving the Future of Solar Decommissioning and Recycling

In this session, attendees will explore the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the future of solar panel decommissioning and recycling.

• Growing importance of sustainable end-of-life management practices
• Emerging opportunities for innovation and improvement in solar panel decommissioning and recycling processes
• Technological advancements, policy developments, and market trends
• Challenges faced in scaling up recycling infrastructure and implementing effective decommissioning practices
• Potential strategies and solutions to address the opportunities and challenges in the future of solar panel decommissioning and recycling

Sustainable and Community Oriented Manufacturing

In this session, attendees will explore the concept of sustainable and community-oriented manufacturing, focusing on the challenges and considerations associated with the lifecycle management of manufactured products.

• Traditional solar panel recycling methods and their limitations
• Emerging technologies such as robotic dismantling, chemical processes, and advanced sorting techniques for more efficient solar panel recycling
• Principles and practices of ESG reporting and its role in corporate sustainability
• Legal requirements for community development and workforce development, with a focus on indigenous, minority, and disenfranchised communities
• The ‘cool’ factor – the innovative, forward-thinking strategies that go beyond compliance to truly make a difference in communities and the environment
• Components and materials used in manufacturing and their potential environmental impact
• Common disposal methods for end-of-life products and their associated environmental consequences
• Challenges related to waste management and the specific issues surrounding product disposal
• Regulatory frameworks and initiatives aimed at promoting responsible disposal and recycling of manufactured products
• Innovative solutions and technologies for mitigating the environmental impact of product disposal

 

Thursday, October 17, 2024 : Central Time

 

Indigenous Perspectives on Sustainability and Entrepreneurship

In this session, attendees will explore the unique perspectives and approaches of Indigenous communities towards sustainability and entrepreneurship. Indigenous cultures often possess deep-rooted connections to the land, environment, and traditional knowledge systems that offer valuable insights into sustainable practices and entrepreneurial endeavors.

• Overview of Indigenous worldviews and values related to sustainability, stewardship of natural resources, and community well-being
• Traditional ecological knowledge and practices that promote sustainable resource management and environmental conservation
• Indigenous entrepreneurship models, including social enterprises, cooperative ventures, and cultural tourism initiatives
• Challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous entrepreneurs in balancing cultural values, economic development, and environmental sustainability
• Case studies highlighting successful Indigenous-led sustainability projects and businesses

Case Study: Community-Based Economic Development Within the Context of End–Of-Life Conversations

This case study will delve into the concepts of community-based economic development and social entrepreneurship with data from a regionally successful case study, focusing on how businesses can drive positive social and economic change at the local level.

• Community-based economic development and its emphasis on local ownership, collaboration, and sustainable growth
• Social entrepreneurship and its focus on addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges through innovative business solutions
• Role of social enterprises in creating positive impact, fostering social inclusion, and promoting community well-being
• Principles of community wealth building, social impact measurement, and stakeholder engagement in social entrepreneurship

Renewable Relationship-Building and Collaboration to Support Renewable Enterprises

In this session, attendees will explore the importance of relationship-building and collaboration within Indigenous communities, focusing on the principles of reciprocity, mutual respect, and collective well-being that underpin Indigenous ways of working together.

• Traditional values and protocols that guide relationship-building and communication within Indigenous communities
• Role of reciprocity, trust, and consensus-building in fostering collaboration and collective decision-making processes
• Traditional forms of governance, leadership structures, and community engagement practices within Indigenous contexts
• Discussion of the importance of cultural competence, humility, and active listening in building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities.
• Case studies illustrating successful examples of collaboration and partnership-building within Indigenous communities for economic development, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship

Funding Opportunities and Resources for Entrepreneurs

In this session, attendees will explore the various funding opportunities and resources available to support entrepreneurs starting and growing their businesses. While offering broad guidance, attendees will also learn about specific opportunities available to historically disenfranchised groups, including women and minority owned businesses, as well as indigenous communities and tribal governments in alignment with the US government’s Justice 40 initiative.

• Overcoming Funding Challenges for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
• Exploring Funding Sources for Entrepreneurs
• Alternative Funding Models
• Support Services and Resources for Entrepreneurs
• Crafting a Successful Business Plan and Partnership Strategy

Saxon Metzger, Graduate Professor of Sustainable Business, Eighth Generation Consulting, LLC

Saxon Metzger is the founder of Eighth Generation Consulting and has worked in the field of sustainability for a decade providing everything from business and project development to project estimation and management services for sustainability and renewable energy projects. His work as the primary author of the City of Carbondale’s historic Sustainability Plan was highlighted by the United Nations at COP15 Biodiversity for its innovative approach to facilitating cross-sector collaboration. Utilizing his professional experience in conjunction with his role as a professor of graduate level sustainable business courses, Saxon uses his experience to work on pioneering in the solar decommissioning and end-of-life space, being awarded an Under 30 in Energy Award in 2023 for these efforts. Saxon, a member of the Osage Nation, has incorporated community benefits for indigenous communities as a primary component of his life work, helping provide management and community benefit input alike for state and federal grant applications.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Sustainable End-of-Life Practices for Renewable Energy

October 16-17, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before September 13, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 1.4 CEUs for this event.

Verify our IACET accreditation

Who recognizes IACET Credits?

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must long on and be in attendance for the entirety of the course to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Power Point presentations, Q&A and open discussion

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 16.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

 

Who Should Attend

• Environmental advocacy groups
• Project management professionals
• Representatives of major renewable energy companies
• Professionals and aspiring professionals working in wind, solar, BESS and wave technologies
• Business owners specializing in renewable energy
• Academics focusing on sustainability
• Entrepreneurs with startups in the renewables space