The Center for Energy Commerce recognizes that a university education should include
more than job skills training. An important component — particularly in the age of
globalization — is the realization that while energy poverty exists there can be no
economic prosperity. The goal of the World Energy Project (WEP) is to teach students
about the impact that energy has on the world's population.
The WEP provides basic solar power systems to off-grid communities in developing countries
where access to electricity is unavailable through traditional sources. Students travel
to these communities to learn about system design, microfinance and install the systems.
The WEP began in 2008 and has partnered with the Light up the World Foundation of
Calgary, Canada, and is now permanently based in Lima, Peru.