44 Students Complete P-TECH Internships with New York Power Authority

44 Students Complete P-TECH Internships with New York Power Authority

For Immediate Release:08/20/24

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44 Students Complete P-TECH Internships with New York Power Authority

Students Gain Hands-on Experience, Help NYPA Further Technology and Renewable Energy Projects to Benefit the Utility Industry

STEM Internship Program Helps Diversify Future Workforce

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WHITE PLAINS-Forty-four students from under-resourced communities completed hands-on internships with the New York Power Authority (NYPA) last week and made presentations to show the new career skills they learned while completing energy projects that will benefit the utility industry. As interns with this year's Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program, they conducted energy audits, sought potential sites for solar systems, learned to operate drones and collaborated on engineering issues at the Niagara Power Project. Many students also earned national certifications in fields such as energy auditing, HVAC maintenance, and operation of unmanned aircraft systems (drones).

"The P-TECH internship program is helping the New York Power Authority build a workforce in New York State that utilizes the broad talents of the diverse communities that we serve," said Power Authority Trustee Bethaida Gonzalez. "The students involved in the P-TECH program have a passion for STEM learning that is now paired with valuable hands-on experience and the benefit of guidance from NYPA mentors. The P-TECH interns can now share stories of their success working on ambitious clean energy projects as they move to the next exciting steps in their education and career journeys. We are excited to watch as they continue to make valuable contributions to New York's clean energy economy."

The paid interns, all from high schools and community colleges near NYPA facilities, are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). As part of the program overseen by the environmental justice department, they spent six weeks working alongside NYPA employees on hands-on technical projects that furthered New York State's clean energy goals. They also received one-to-one mentorship and participated in weekly workshops to gain a comprehensive understanding of NYPA, develop presentation skills, and learn financial literacy.

"The New York Power Authority is pleased to partner with the P-TECH program and provide support to bright and talented young people who see their future in high-demand, well-paying STEM careers," said Justin E. Driscoll, NYPA president and CEO. "Offering these internships enables the Power Authority to show students how they can utilize their skills, address complex issues and achieve their ambitions. We are proud to prepare a new generation of workers to take on the challenges of the clean energy transition."

Alejandro Medina,a student at LaGuardia Community College, helped perform energy audits for several companies.

"I have a much better understanding of the professional world," Medinasaid. The program taught me so much-finances, communication and overall confidence. I only knew that power came to my house and we had lights. Now I see how much goes into it and I can apply many of the energy conservation measures we learned to my own life."

The students presented their projects to NYPA executives, their mentors, peers and program partners, including the State University of New York and the state Department of Education.

Morgan McCarty, a student at SUNY Erie, said her group was able to go inside the Niagara Power Project control room and learned first-hand how energy is generated.

"We got to see things most people never see and I'm really grateful for these opportunities," McCartysaid. "I got to see how vast engineering really is and how it's a lot more than sitting at a desk."

Students worked on the following projects:

Niagara Power Project Gates

• Students from SUNY Niagara and SUNY Erie learned how the Robert Moses Power Project works and the importance of renewable energy. They helped assess the plant's exit gates so they could be used more safely and efficiently by pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles. They also toured NYPA's underground tunnels and took a ride on an ice-breaking boat.

Cooling Water Valve Replacement

• Two SUNY Niagara students worked on repairing the cooling system for Unit 3 at the Robert Moses Power Project. They learned how water travels in from the Niagara River and how the cooling system works. They identified the valve at fault, created a work order and developed a future maintenance plan.

Energy Audits

• Students from Mohawk Valley Community College, New York City College of Technology and LaGuardia Community College learned the basics of lighting and HVAC and conducted energy audits for several businesses, a water treatment plant and a public school. They studied operations, gathered data and made recommendations for energy conservation measures. The students also earned EPA 608 and CALT certifications.

Rights-of-Way Pollinator and Vegetation Mapping

• Students from Mohawk Valley Community College learned how to operate dronesto monitor pollinators and vegetation growth along NYPA's rights of way. Students used images and software to map the rights of way and transmission lines. They also learned about targeting unwanted species and watched a maintenance crew use a drone with a spray to remove invasive plants with herbicide.

Solar Site Evaluations

• Students from LaGuardia Community College analyzed 24 locations to help determine ideal sites to locate solar and energy storage projects. They learned to complete intake forms to study the issues, perform technical evaluations and use design software to develop renderings. They also visited several active construction sites and learned about electric buses and renewable energy.

Since 2021, NYPA has hosted 83 interns and completed 22 projects. Each summer more than 70 NYPA employees have direct contact with the P-TECH interns to expose students to as many facets of the workforce as possible.

"The New York Power Authority's P-TECH internship program stands out for its exemplary effort to help students achieve at a high level and develop the needed skills to succeed in the clean energy workspace, putting them on a path to a well-paid career," said Stanley Litow, trustee of the State University of New York, who helped establish the P-TECH program. "Worksite visits and mentoring are a proven winning formula in support of students' academic and professional growth, and the opportunity to participate in a real-time project gives them a leg up in the increasingly competitive workforce."

Two P-TECH interns have already been hired at NYPA. Edina Smith is now an assistant systems operator at the Clark Energy Center and Rafael Calderon Artieda is a coordinator for the environmental justice department, helping manage the P-TECH program, among other tasks.

For more information about NYPA's P-TECH program, email [email protected].

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About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.govand follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblrand LinkedIn.

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