Powering progress: How Wenatchee High School students are transforming energy management

In an inspiring blend of STEM education and community impact, the Advanced Energy Management (AEM) Energy Champions Program is turning theoretical classroom lessons into tangible savings across Chelan County. The program spearheaded by Charley Haupt (New Energy Technology) and Jim White, Senior Energy Conservation Engineer for the Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) in close collaboration with the Wenatchee School District, Wenatchee Valley College, and the North Central Educational Services District (NCESD) is equipping local high school students with the skills to monitor and manage energy use in real time.

At the heart of the initiative is a state-of-the-art Automated Metering Infrastructure deployed by Chelan County PUD. This new technology gives students immediate access to energy data from local facilities, allowing them to analyze load profiles, benchmark performance with tools like ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager, and identify opportunities to reduce waste. In local facilities and schools, like Foothills Middle School, Lewis and Clark Elementary, and Wenatchee High School the program’s data-driven approach has yielded reductions in energy usage up to 42%, slashing monthly energy costs that could save nearly $20,000 a year from the district budget. 

These impressive savings are only part of the story. The AEM Energy Champions Program is also redefining the role of students in the community. Through hands-on analysis and direct engagement with building managers, these young innovators aren't just learning theory, they’re teaching adults and professionals how to take control of energy management. At a recent Chelan County Commissioners meeting, the AEM apprentices presented their findings with such clarity and passion that one commissioner, beaming with pride, asked, “Do you want a job?” This lighthearted yet pointed remark underscored the program’s success and the confidence local leaders now have in these emerging experts.

The program’s success lies in a powerful combination of industry mentorship, supported STEM learning, real-world application and industry standard technology and tools. By working with immediate data, students gain practical experience in project management, troubleshooting, and client engagement. Their work this spring led directly to operational changes that optimized HVAC controls and reprogrammed lighting schedules for the North Central Educational Services District facilities to great gains in energy efficiency and reduced annual costs. In doing so, they are not only cutting costs but also setting a new standard for how data-driven decisions can enhance building performance and sustainability.

Pete Phillips, Technology Programs Manager for the NCESD spoke to the commissioners about the ways that the AEM Energy Apprenticeship program “touches on multiple levels” for the agency as it features STEM education, student development and career connected learning, as well as their business side, having saved NCESD hundreds in annual energy costs for the agency building in Olds Station.

Behind these achievements is a genuine spirit of partnership. Local institutions have stepped up to support a model that benefits both the community and its future workforce. The NCESD, WVC, and JCPenney are a few of the facilities where innovative energy solutions are being piloted and validated. These site commitments, along with that of Chelan County PUD and the local school district, reinforce the idea that investing in STEM education yields dividends far beyond the classroom.

Looking forward, the AEM Energy Champions Program is poised to serve as a replicable model for other regions in Washington state. The program illustrates that when local youth are empowered to apply academic concepts to community challenges, everyone benefits. Each kilowatt-hour saved and every adjusted setting on an HVAC system is a testament to the power of hands-on learning—and a shining example of how nurturing future leaders today can spark tremendous savings and sustainable growth tomorrow.

As Chelan County leads the way by uniting STEM learning with practical energy solutions, its success is sure to inspire other communities to follow and light The way to a more sustainable future for all.