OEM is a project to develop open-source energy monitoring tools to help us relate to our use of energy, our energy systems and the challenge of sustainable energy. Courtesy photo

PEEC News:

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) and Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) invite the community to a free program on Home Energy Management, taking place at 7 p.m. MT, Monday, Dec. 1, at the Los Alamos Nature Center (2600 Canyon Rd). The event will be offered both in-person and live-streamed online. To register, visit peecnature.org/events.

This practical talk will explore simple, accessible tools for tracking and managing household energy use. Participants will learn about energy monitoring apps like Sense, smart plugs, and device scheduling strategies. The program will also highlight more advanced automation with Home Assistant, including a live demonstration of how it can manage an off-grid solar system.

The evening’s presenter, Gary Goddard, brings decades of expertise at the intersection of design, technology, and sustainability. Currently serving as the Los Alamos County Airport Manager, Gary’s career spans architecture, teaching, and building automation at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He specializes in high-performance buildings, energy conservation, and optimizing control systems. Living off-grid along the Rio Grande, Gary combines professional knowledge with a personal commitment to sustainable living, offering attendees both technical insights and real-world experience.

This program is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities and PEEC, aimed at empowering residents with tools and knowledge to make energy-smart choices at home.

For more information, visit PEEC’s website at peecnature.org/events. Stay connected on social media for updates on each week’s activities.

PEEC was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts several interest groups, from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however, members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and gift shop merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit peecnature.org/support/membership/.