DTE Energy launches virtual student ‘field trip’ to Michigan’s largest wind and solar parks
September 21 2020 - 9:14AM
- 27-minute video teaches students about the important role
renewable energy plays in combatting climate change and Michigan’s
transition to cleaner energy sources
- Education offering includes supplemental teachers’ guide to
enhance learning experience
- Video is company’s first virtual field trip
DETROIT, September 21, 2020 – With the shift to more
online learning, DTE Energy has developed a virtual field trip to
its wind and solar parks to teach young people about clean energy
and the important role it plays in addressing climate change.
Students experience what it’s like to climb up a 300-foot wind
turbine tower, learn how solar panels use sand to create energy and
visit three DTE renewable energy projects in different locations
across Michigan.
The 27-minute video also introduces middle and junior high
school students to the many career opportunities available in the
energy sector, ranging from jobs in the skilled trades to positions
requiring advanced-level graduate degrees. In addition, DTE has
created an educators’ guide for teachers to supplement the field
trip content. With suggested research and discussion topics,
worksheets and games, DTE hopes the activities in the guide will
challenge students to think creatively about reducing carbon
emissions and building a more sustainable future. The virtual field
trip video and teachers’ guide are available to all on the
company’s Empowering Michigan blog.
“Increasing the amount of energy we generate from renewable
resources is one of the most important things we can do to reduce
carbon emissions and combat climate change,” said Trevor Lauer,
president of the electric company at DTE Energy. “DTE is Michigan’s
largest producer of renewable energy, with plans to triple
generation from wind and solar by 2030. We created this field trip
to help young people learn more about clean energy and to challenge
them to think about actions they can take now - and in the future -
to save energy and help protect the environment. It would be great
if the field trip inspired some to pursue a career in Energy.”
The virtual field trip opens at DTE’s headquarters in downtown
Detroit, Mich. where two DTE employees talk about their jobs with
the company’s renewable energy team and the steps DTE is taking to
generate cleaner energy. The field trip host also describes the
science behind how energy is created.
The next stop on the field trip is DTE’s Polaris Wind Park,
located in mid-Michigan’s Gratiot County. Students get to see how
wind turbines are constructed, learn about the turbines’ components
and then go inside a turbine, venturing both inside and on top of
the nacelle, experiencing the view.
Next up, the field trip moves to DTE’s Lapeer Solar Park,
located about 50 miles north of Detroit, Mich., to show students
how we are generating more and more energy from the sun.
Operational since May 2017, DTE’s Lapeer Solar Park is among the
largest solar parks in Michigan. With 200,000 solar panels covering
250 acres, the park generates enough clean energy to power 11,000
homes.
The final stop on the field trip is Detroit’s O’Shea Solar Park.
Here students learn about the more than 26 wildlife habitats and
pollinator gardens DTE hosts at its sites. DTE plans to plant
pollinator gardens at all of its future solar parks and the
Wildlife Habitat Council has recognized the company for its
environmental stewardship.
“With thousands of students now engaged in online learning, it’s
great that DTE Energy is providing our students with the
opportunity to learn about renewable energy and virtually visit
DTE’s wind and solar parks,” said Beth Gonzalez, assistant
superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District.
“Educational efforts like this help further level the playing field
for our students by bringing the experience to them. We appreciate
DTE creating this fun and creative way to teach students about
clean energy and the role it plays in their lives and we plan to
make this part of our District’s recommended activities for Earth
Week 2021.”
With a goal of achieving net zero by 2050, DTE has laid out a
robust plan to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The
company also offers customers the opportunity to reduce their own
carbon footprint by enrolling in its MIGreenPower voluntary
renewable energy program. By 2022, DTE will increase its generation
capacity from renewable energy to more than 2,400 megawatts, enough
clean energy to power 900,000 homes.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified
energy company involved in the development and management of
energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating
units include an electric company serving 2.2 million customers
in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving
1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes
energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects;
renewable natural gas; natural gas pipelines, gathering and
storage; and energy marketing and trading. As an environmental
leader, DTE utility operations will reduce carbon dioxide and
methane emissions by more than 80% by 2040 to produce cleaner
energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE Electric
and Gas aspire to achieve net zero carbon and greenhouse gas
emissions by 2050. DTE is committed to serving with its energy
through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives,
philanthropy and economic progress. Information about DTE is
available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com,
twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com.
- DTE VFT_Blog_VielkaDTE_1920x1080
- DTE VFT_Blog_DavisPolaris_Original
Cindy Hecht
DTE Energy
313.235.5555
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024