Gender
The USAID-NREL Partnership works to advance gender diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the global clean energy transition by supporting women to lead in energy system transformation and integrating gender considerations throughout all its projects.
Women and other underrepresented groups are key stakeholders in the clean energy transition and must be included in the global movement toward transformative projects, programs, and policies that will accelerate the clean energy transition and address climate change more equitably.
Activities
The Women in Power System Transformation initiative (Women in PST), established by the USAID-NREL Partnership and the Global Power System Transformation (G-PST) Consortium, spearheads efforts to close the gender gap by offering cutting-edge technical training, research opportunities, and professional development tailored to the operation of high variable renewable energy systems for women working in utilities and power system operators.
By addressing educational and professional barriers for women's entry and advancement in the power system workforce, the Women in Power System Transformation initiative aims to ensure that women can lead and fully partake in the economic and social benefits of the clean energy transition worldwide.
"[Through Women in PST], I was introduced to grid-forming technologies during my summer at NREL, and now it happens to be the core of my Ph.D. work. Women in PST helped me find what I was passionate about. My mentor introduced me to dozens of professionals doing cutting-edge research in the field. Interactions with these inspiring individuals helped me get to the place where I am now." —2022 Women in PST NREL intern
The Women in Power System Transformation initiative is working to expand leadership and technical training opportunities for women in power system transformation. These activities include:
- Developing power system knowledge and skills through publicly available graduate-level course materials on clean energy and power systems topics, materials, hands-on practitioner training, and student internships
- Empowering women to lead transformative change through mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities in clean energy and power system operations
- Collaborating with well-established programs, such as the Global Women's Network for the Energy Transition and John Hopkins University's Self-Empowerment and Equity for Change training program, to address the broader challenges women face in the workplace related to empowerment, negotiation, and leadership.
Further information can also be found on the G-PST website: Women in Power System Transformation.
Resources
Women in Power System Transformation Internship Program Is Cultivating a More Equitable Energy Workforce, NREL News Story (2023)
Women in Power System Transformation Course Materials
Women in Power System Transformation, Fact Sheet (2022)
Joint Workforce Development Initiative To Advance Leadership Opportunities for Women in Power System Operations, NREL New Story (2022)
The objective of the USAID-NREL Action Plan for Gender Integration is to assist NREL researchers and practitioners working across the USAID portfolio of activities implemented through the USAID-NREL Partnership to be more proactive in identifying and addressing critical gender gaps in particular country contexts and/or directing resources where they are most needed to empower women.
Specifically, the aim of the action plan is to:
- Increase gender integration across USAID-NREL activities in order to enhance gender impacts and strengthen programs
- Increase awareness and capacity of NREL staff on gender integration approaches
- Outline specific actions, roles, and responsibilities of NREL and USAID team members
- Leverage USAID and NREL’s thought leadership, capabilities, and convening power to increase gender integration in the clean energy sector across the globe.
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