WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) will offer energy-related workshops during June and July in Indianapolis, West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Evansville.

Two are U.S. Department of Energy BestPractices workshops:

• Fundamentals of Compressed Air Systems will be offered June 22 in Fort Wayne, June 23 in West Lafayette and June 24 in Evansville.

  This workshop is appropriate for anyone in a plant’s work force who uses compressed air or has responsibility for the system. Cost is $125 per person.

  Participants will learn how to tailor a compressed air system management action plan for a plant; compute the current cost of a plant’s compressed air system; determine the impact of different compressor control types; measure and create a baseline of system performance; identify steps for proper system operation; and cut costs.

• Steam Systems End-User Workshop will be offered Aug. 4 in Fort Wayne.

  It is designed for industrial and institutional plant personnel who have steam system responsibilities, such as energy managers, steam system supervisors, engineers and equipment operators. Cost is $125 per person.

  Participants will learn about steam generation efficiency, resource utilization effectiveness and steam distribution system losses.

A TAP Green Specialist Energy Management Workshop will be offered July 9 in Indianapolis. It is part of the Green Enterprise Development program aimed at engineers, green team participants and environmental managers. Cost is $395 per person.

TAP has designed its Green Enterprise Development program for manufacturers and others interested in learning how to apply sustainable, environmentally friendly practices in the workplace. Participants in the program can earn a Green Specialist Certificate accredited by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Participants in the Indianapolis Level 2 Energy Management workshop will learn energy basics, how to manage energy usage and invest in energy efficiency, the pros and cons of renewable energy sources and how to include all system costs in a project evaluation.

Information on all of the workshops and registration are available at http://www.IndianaMEP.org/events

The Technical Assistance Program connects companies with Purdue resources and helps them implement industry best practices and invest in state-of-the art technologies. It also provides a portfolio of continuous improvement, energy and sustainability assessment, training and implementation services.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A green energy program that will focus on alternative energy technologies and their impact on rural communities will be held March 17 in Covington, Ind.

“This program, designed specifically for farmers, rural landowners and businesses, will help producers understand how they can benefit from renewable energy,” said Chad Martin, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service renewable energy specialist. “These developments are going to have profound impacts on the community and it’s all about opportunity and taking advantage of it.”

According to Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service renewable energy specialist, this program is designed specifically for farmers, rural landowners and businesses to help producers understand how they can benefit from renewable energy.

Martin, one of the program speakers, will discuss the importance of improving energy efficiency. He also will highlight a Purdue program designed to help farmers with grain drying and how those systems can be audited on their energy consumption.

“We want participants to walk away knowing the areas of their operation that consume the most energy and how those areas can be improved,” Martin said.

Going Green: Alternative & Renewable Resources for Farm, Business and Home will be 5 p.m.-8 p.m., with registration beginning at 4:30 p.m., at the Beef House Restaurant. Registration is $20 per person, which includes dinner and program materials, and is due by March 12. To register, contact Kelly Pearson at 765-762-3231, kppearson@purdue.edu or visit https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2527.

Topics and speakers include:

• An overview of what’s happening with wind energy and implications for farms and rural landowners, Martin.
• Current solar energy technology and implications for farms and rural landowners, Ted Funk, University of Illinois Extension specialist of bioenvironmental engineering.
• Dinner discussion highlighting what farmers, rural landowners and businesses need to know about energy.
• Nuts and bolts of farm energy audits and renewable energy grants for farm improvements and upgrades, Martin.

For more information, contact Pearson at 765-762-3231, kppearson@purdue.edu, or Mark Spelbring at 765-569-3176, spelbrin@purdue.edu. The Beef House Restaurant is located at 16501 N. State Road 63 in Covington.

Purdue Extension and the University of Illinois Extension sponsor the green energy program.