To help you learn more about utility issues, energy efficiency and other general industry information, we produce and/or mail various inserts.  We also use the inserts to tell you about local community news and events.  We hope you find the publications to be interesting and informative!

The meter lab teaches students and consumers how to read their electric meter and how to compute the cost of operating various electrical devices.  The Meter Lab features a working electric meter mounted on a wooden base.  A power strip allows multiple appliances to be plugged in at once.  The Meter Lab comes with complete lesson plans.

New Glarus Utilities also has up to four (4) Watt’s Up meters available for check-out.  Watt’s up meters are portable devices that allow students/residents to measure how much electricity different appliances in their home/business use.

Pedal Power is a bicycle-powered generator that teaches basic scientific concepts related to the conversion or transfer of energy from one form to another.  Demonstrated clearly is how energy is used for lighting, heating, and transportation.  The Energy Cycle also shows how new efficient lighting and appliances use less energy than older equipment.

This portable display breaks down into four pieces that can be carried by one person in two walking trips.

The 8-foot PowerTOWN educational model is a great way to demonstrate electricity.  The crackle of a high voltage electrical arc reinforces electrical safety messages that an audience will not soon forget.  This realistic tool can be used to demonstrate the effects of:

For more information or to schedule programs, contact the utility office at (608) 527-2913 or ngutilities@newglarusvillage.com

Electric customers in New Glarus are benefitting from a new application of solar power. An array of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed on the roof of the administration building at the Village’s Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTP).  The solar PV system collects energy from sunlight and converts it into electricity. This highly visible project demonstrates the technology, while educating the community on the benefits, operation and performance of solar PV systems.

The system includes 24 roof-mounted panels with a total output of 5 kilowatts, generating approximately 6,200 kilowatt-hours of emissions-free electricity each year.  In addition to the renewable energy provided by the solar PV system, the WWTP purchases an additional 600 kWh of renewable energy for the building each month through New Glarus Utilities’ Green Power for Business Program, offsetting its energy usage by a total of 13,400 kWh per year–enough to power two small homes.

New Glarus Utilities pursued various grant opportunities, including funding from its power supplier, WPPI Energy, as well as Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy, to help fund the purchase and installation of the solar PV system. The project was contracted through H&H Solar Energy Services of Madison and became operational on October 6, 2010.

“It is our objective to be a model for the use of renewable energy,” said Scott Jelle, Director of Public Works. “By supporting community-wide renewable projects, the Village of New Glarus is demonstrating the practical use of renewable energy and encouraging customers to do the same.”

In further efforts to promote renewable energy production in the village, New Glarus Utilities has provided grants to local customers to help them install their own solar PV systems.  Sportsman’s Bar, Four Oaks Farms, and Richard and Marge Irland have installed similar renewable energy systems in the past several years.  The Irland residence also participates in the solar energy buy-back program, where energy from the home’s solar PV system is purchased by the utility.

So that community members can view the operation and performance of the system at the village’s wastewater treatment facility, a web-based interface has been set up to monitor energy output and other data.  This information can be viewed in real time from any computer with access to the Internet.

“We’re working hard to lead by example,” said Jelle. “The use of renewable energy is a simple step anyone can take to help create a cleaner energy future.”

In an effort to further reduce its electric usage and costs, the Village of New Glarus has also undertaken a number of energy efficiency and conservation measures in its facilities, including efficient lighting upgrades at the village hall, fire department, and at the public works and utility garages.

In addition, New Glarus Utilities has provided incentives to several business customers to help them save costs through energy efficiency projects, including the Sugar River Power Center, Glarnerladen Antiques, Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus Bakery, and the New Glarus School District.

For more information, please contact New Glarus Utilities at 608-527-2913.

New Glarus Utilities is currently offering the following scholarships:

High school seniors looking for an outlet for their writing creativity could generate $500 in cash for their continuing education.

Each year, New Glarus Utilities along with our power supplier WPPI Energy, offers a 2-$500 high school scholarship to high school seniors.

The annual scholarship program materials are available in spring by contacting the High School Counselor.  The deadline is March 1st of each year.  Award recipients will be notified in May.

New Glarus Utilities is proud to help in the educational efforts of our community’s youth.  Through this scholarship program, we have helped many of our local students with his/her continuing education.

A scholarship available to local teachers to attend KEEP – the statewide K-12 Energy Education Program. The teacher earns continuing education credits while learning how to integrate hands-on energy education activities in their classrooms.

New Glarus Utilities provides scholarships to local teachers to attend KEEP – the statewide K-12 Energy Education Program.

KEEP is a 16-hour in-service that helps teachers integrate hands-on energy education activities into their classrooms.  The program also demonstrates how teachers can use energy education to ensure that their students meet Wisconsin academic standards.  The teachers receive continuing education credits for attending KEEP classes.

KEEP makes the sometimes-intimidating topic of energy understandable to students of all ages.  Second grades can learn about the coal mining process as they “find resources” in chocolate chip cookies.  Middle school students can experiment with properties of motors by modeling an electric motor.  High school students can discuss “energy futures” by studying energy trends and new technologies.

Visit the KEEP Web site to learn more.  Interested persons should contact our WPPI Energy representative, Beth Carlson, at (608) 834-4500 or via email bcarlson@wppienergy.org.

In an effort to help businesses better control their energy costs New Glarus Utilities, in cooperation with WPPI Energy, is offering scholarships to businesses who send employees to energy-related training. Training opportunities should focus on ways your business can more effectively use energy, ultimately helping control energy costs.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship or for upcoming workshops please contact our WPPI Energy representative, Beth Carlson, at (608) 834-4500 or via email at bcarlson@wppienergy.org.

Note:  Workshops eligible for Focus on Energy (FOE) or WPPI Energy scholarships are only eligible for New Glarus Utilities scholarships for the remaining dollars not covered by FOE and WPPI Energy and are limited to $500.  Scholarship money is only available for the cost of the training. All travel, meals and lodging must be covered by the business.  Scholarships will be awarded after proof of completion of a qualified training is submitted to New Glarus Utilities.

To view current training opportunities offered by Focus on Energy and the Energy Center of Wisconsin visit: Focus on Energy