Mission

To build smart energy communities in Alabama through education, conservation, efficiency, and renewable generation.

Vision

Nexus Energy Center is excited to continue bringing a stronger culture of energy efficiency to Alabama.  We know we will be able to do this by continuing our educational programs for underserved areas and creating innovative educational programs to mobilize building enhancements with energy saving measures.  Nexus Energy Center is confident these efforts will assist the local economies and place Alabama on the map for moving in the direction of creating a clean energy economy.

The Organization

Nexus Energy Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Huntsville, but serving the entire state of Alabama. Our offices are located on the campus of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which is a new and exciting partnership that will help mold our educational mission, as well as put our Tiny Green Home in front of the 600,000 guests who visit the museum yearly. Being in the proximity of the USSRC allows us to mingle, meet and share ideas with their educational staff members, which fuels the synergy between our two organizations. While education is one of our main focuses, we also center on giving back to the community through a special program we call The Comfort Project, which was founded just for helping the underserved citizens in our communities.

Programs

Nexus Energy Center is the only non-profit organization to create a smart energy future for Alabama through Education, Conservation, Efficiency and Renewable Generation.  Nexus Energy Center administers four programs in our organization:

• The Comfort Project

• Educational Outreach

• AlabamaWISE

• BusinessWISE

The Comfort Project is just now beginning the fourth round of helping low-income and elderly residents with energy efficiency upgrades to their homes, which lowers their monthly utility bills by 20% or more. Those savings can then be used for other necessities these folks often do without, due to high utility bills, especially during the summer and winter months. Our research shows the elderly pay their utility bill, but often do without health care and proper nutrition. The long range benefits of Nexus Energy Center’s The Comfort Project are in the key areas of Health and Education. Nexus Energy Center partners with other non-profit organizations like CASA, who specializes in low-income and elderly residents who benefit from The Comfort Project. CASA knows the elderly population better than any other organization and working together, we find the best candidates to help. While there are organizations that help pay portions of utility bills, that solution is only temporary, at best. Nexus Energy Center’s The Comfort Project is a long-term, permanent solution, which benefits the homeowner directly through lower utility bills. The Comfort Project is funded strictly through grants, donations and philanthropy efforts of Nexus Energy Center and partnerships with various companies and other non-profit organizations. The recipients of this program pay nothing, but receive the full benefits of lower utility bills and better health. Because we believe that all homeowners deserve to be comfortable in their homes while still being able to afford their utility bills.

The Educational Outreach is in full force and gaining momentum daily. Our new partnership with the U.S. Space and Rocket Center (USSRC) allows our organization to come into contact with thousands of teachers and students taking part in various educational programs offered by the USSRC. The Nexus Energy Center – USSRC partnership also allows our two organizations to participate in community events together. This April, the partnership will hold a 2nd annual Earth Day Celebration, where thousands of people are invited to walk through the Shuttle Park, learning about sustainability and other green initiatives. Other events are planned throughout the year, continuing to strengthening our union.

Our Tiny Green Home is our main community Educational outreach. In 2014, Nexus Energy Center built what is the most energy efficient home on wheels in the southeastern part of the country. Since its inception, additional upgrades have been made to allow the Tin Green Home to operate completely off the grid, utilizing solar panels that run the highly efficient HVAC, refrigerator and tank less water heater. Since the Tiny Green Home appeared at its first community event, thousands of students and residents have walked through the 17×8 foot space learning first-hand about energy efficient measures, the same measures that can be used in their homes and businesses. This is a strictly educational program that teaches all ages the significant advantages of making simple upgrades that lead to huge utility savings.

The AlabamaWISE™ (Worthwhile Investments Save Energy) and BusinessWISE™ programs to help local home and business owners take control of their energy costs.  Nexus Energy Center fosters networking for the members of our community businesses, organizations, and universities that are striving for new energy strategies.  Nexus Energy Center’s success in implementing projects on energy efficiency, workforce development, and renewable energy will make Alabama a premier location for energy solutions. In 2015, Nexus Energy Center partnered with Redstone Federal Credit Union to offer their qualified members a 1% interest, two- year loan that allows any energy efficient upgrades to their homes. Nexus manages the AlabamaWISE™ Program with initial funding granted in 2010 from the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and the State Energy Program (SEP) at the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Nexus Energy Center partners with certified contractors to offer resources and technical assistance for energy assessments and efficient improvements. AlabamaWISE has upgraded over 5 million square feet of building space and saved over 23 million kWh, which is equivalent to removing 700 homes from the grid.  The AlabamaWISE Program has helped over 1700 homeowners save on average 20% in energy, representing over $2.3 million savings in energy costs.  Nexus Energy Center administers the AlabamaWISE™ Program across the entire state of Alabama.