SC |agenda The energy to inspire learning
 WHEN YOU WANT TO PUT A LITTLE ENERGY INTO EDUCATION,
inspiring teachers can’t hurt. That’s why electric cooperatives across South Carolina and the nation are involved in continu- ing education programs.
“Co-ops have a lengthy history of local educational pro- grams, of connecting and partnering with their local schools and districts,” says Lindsey Smith, vice president for education at The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina.
Smith helps guide EnlightenSC, a coordinated, statewide program promoting science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning for students. The initiative provides class- room resources, instructional support and continuing education opportunities for teachers.
Since 2013, more than 100 South Carolina teachers have completed the program’s four-week summer graduate-credit course, sponsored and underwritten by electric co-ops.
“Through EnlightenSC, teachers are introducing a new gen- eration of young people to electric cooperatives,” says Smith. “That’s making it easier for teachers to stage STEM activities in the classroom and present more balanced lessons about energy.”
The South Carolina program is one of several offered around the country that provides continuing education opportunities
for classroom teachers. Education programs supported by elec- tric co-ops have the potential of touching nearly 7 million school- aged students in the 47 states served by electric cooperatives.
In the Energy House competition of the 4-H Engineering Challenge, sponsored by EnlightenSC and South Carolina’s consumer-owned electric cooperatives, students design and build a model of an energy-efficient house.
South Carolina classroom teachers can download lesson plans, learn about STEM competitions for students (including the annual 4-H Engineering Challenge) and register for edu- cational opportunities, including this summer’s free graduate class, at EnlightenSC.org.
“We need bright young people in our state working to  nd solutions to our energy challenges,” says Smith. “Consumer- owned electric cooperatives are committed to education and making a difference in their communities.” — DERRILL HOLLY
  Home energy storage
Batteries power our smartphones, laptops and other portable electronics—and soon, they may help power homes and busi- nesses as well.
Known as behind-the-meter (BTM) energy storage, these bat- teries are placed in homes and businesses to provide backup power during outages or periods of high electricity demand. BTM storage is widely viewed as a growth industry, with one recent
BACKUP POWER Tesla CEO Elon Musk introduced the Powerwall BTM storage system in 2015. According to tesla.com/powerwall, a basic system costs about $6,600, with installation costs ranging from $800 to $2,000.
report listing more than 40 com- panies active in this area. Analysts currently expect BTM storage to make up more than 50 percent
of the energy-storage market by 2021.
BTM storage will grow in popularity as battery costs fall. Manufacturers are ramping up production to meet the needs of electric vehicles and becoming more efficient in the process. Tesla, for example, is building
a large-scale battery factory
and introduced its Powerwall residential battery system in 2015. Numerous other companies are active in this space, including
LG Chem, Sonnen, Sunverge
Energy and Stem. This increase in competition and manufacturing capacity is driving down the cost of BTM energy storage.
Another factor driving interest in BTM storage is the continuous improvement in battery technol- ogy. Batteries are becoming more energy dense, meaning they
hold more energy in the same size battery. Charging times are decreasing, while battery-cycle life (how many times you can discharge and recharge a battery) is increasing. However, these changes have been largely incre- mental, and many are still hoping for radical improvement in battery technology. —THOMAS KIRK
6 SOUTH CAROLINA LIVING | MAY 2018 | SCLIVING.COOP
MILTON MORRIS
TESLA