U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Distributed Energy Program

DE Road Shows

The U.S. Department of Energy's "Distributed Energy Road Show" has been traveling across the nation to help end-users streamline siting and permitting processes for new distributed energy technologies. Building code inspectors, fire marshals, utility engineers, hospital engineering staff, school district facility directors, industrial and commercial facility engineers, architects, HVAC and electrical contractors, and military base personnel have attended our one-day workshops.

Participants have learned the ropes of installing, operating, and interconnecting these new technologies from the experts — technology manufacturers and distributors, fuel experts, and state and local offices for energy and the environment. Discussions focused on local siting, code, and permitting issues; fuel production and storage safety, with an emphasis on hydrogen and methanol; and the utilization of excess heat from distributed energy units for facility heating and cooling needs (combined heat and power). Participants have received hands-on training with fuel cells, photovoltaics, microturbines, natural-gas-fired reciprocating engines, and more.

To learn more, pursue the following links:

Calendar — Past workshops by date
Locations — Past workshops by location
Contacts — DOE headquarters and regional contacts
Regulatory resources — Handbooks and related organizations