CREATE PI, Ken Walz, Receives 2022 RENEW Wisconsin Educator of the Year

During its eleventh annual Renewable Energy Summit, titled “All Roads Lead to Clean Energy,” RENEW Wisconsin will honor individuals and businesses who have made significant and lasting advances in clean energy development here in Wisconsin. With presenting sponsors, greenpenny, Invenergy, and NextEra Energy Resources, the Summit will take place Thursday, January 27, 2022, at Monona Terrace in Madison. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, this year’s summit will feature a mix of in-person and online attendees and speakers.

In keeping with the program theme, summit presenters will spotlight the intertwining pathways leading Wisconsin closer to the zero-carbon goals embraced by state and local leaders, influential businesses, schools, and nonprofit organizations. Featured speakers include Commissioner Tyler Huebner (Wisconsin Public Service Commission) and Kari Lydersen (author and journalist).

During the summit, RENEW will present awards to a trio of clean energy businesses and champions in recognition of the leadership they’ve demonstrated in the years leading up to the present occasion. They are:

2022 Awardees

Clean Energy Educator of the Year: Kenneth Walz, Madison Area Technical College

Kenneth Walz is a nationally recognized leader in developing coursework and training materials to help post-secondary students acquire skills for entry into the renewable energy workforce. As director for the Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education, Ken has enabled Madison Area Technical College to become the state’s preeminent energy education center and laboratory. Ken has also been an effective internal champion for “solarizing” all Madison College’s campuses. With the recent installation of a 133-kilowatt array at its Watertown branch, the Madison College system now hosts more solar generating capacity than any other school or local government in Wisconsin. In 2020, U.S. EPA bestowed a Green Power Leadership Award to Madison College for incorporating clean energy into its curriculum and operations.