RICHMOND, Va. – With a new offshore wind industry taking shape in Virginia, the Dominion Energy Wind for Students program is being launched in partnership with the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, one of the nation’s leading energy education non-profit organizations. The Wind for Students program builds on the successful Dominion Energy Solar for Students program first established in 2015 in partnership with NEED.

Through a grant to NEED from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, two schools or educational institutions will be selected to receive a micro wind turbine as well as solar panels and energy storage batteries.

Offshore wind is a key component to Virginia’s clean-energy future. Dominion Energy is developing the 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project off the coast of Virginia Beach. Once complete in 2026, CVOW will generate enough clean, reliable energy to power up to 660,000 Dominion Energy Virginia customers’ homes.

K-12 public schools and educational non-profit institutions that are served by Dominion Energy Virginia and offer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programming in the following localities are eligible to apply for the Wind for Students Program: the cities of Virginia Beach, Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Poquoson and Williamsburg as well as the counties of Isle of Wight, Gloucester, York, James City and Surry.

“We are excited to launch this new Wind for Students program in eastern Virginia, where Dominion Energy is leading the way for offshore wind development with Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, the largest offshore wind farm currently planned for the United States,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. “This program will allow students and the public the opportunity to learn more about harnessing the power of the wind.”

“Our team at the NEED Project is honored to support the new Wind for Students program funded by a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. The Wind for Students program builds on Dominion Energy’s history of investing in Virginia’s future – today’s students,” said Mary Spruill, executive director of the NEED Project.

The two winning educational institutions will receive an ARIS Remote Power Unit, which consists of a 30-foot-tall micro wind turbine, solar panels and two 12-volt energy storage batteries. An online data display also will be available to show the installation’s output.

Applications for the Dominion Energy Wind for Students program will be accepted through March 20, 2022 and the winning schools or institutions will be selected in late April. To be selected, an applicant’s site must be evaluated for technical feasibility, including space for the installation, access to wind resources, soil type, safety and security.

Through the NEED website, educators also have access to new offshore wind curriculum that is aligned with Virginia Standards of Learning and hands-on kits that will teach students how wind energy works and how energy, the environment and economics are all part of the energy decision making process.

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.dominionenergy.com/our-company/customers-and-community/charitable-foundation/wind-for-students-program
 

About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

About 7 million customers in 13 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare, HBCU PromiseSM and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed more than $48 million in 2021 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.