At Ponderosa High School in Coconino County, Arizona, students are determined to overcome obstacles on their path to graduation. Some arrive behind on credits, while others are returning to the classroom after time away. The alternative school offers more than a second chance—it is an opportunity for transformation.
That is just one reason why Coconino County Schools selected Ponderosa as the focus of an advanced energy initiative through the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2), managed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
“Our goal at Ponderosa is to create opportunities that shift perspectives—helping students see a hopeful future and discover industries they may not have considered,” Ponderosa High Principal Les Hauer said. “The energy future is full of possibility, and this initiative helps us show students what’s possible while preparing them to succeed.”
Coconino County is one of 10 members of IN2’s latest cohort, which marked a significant milestone for the program. For the first time in its 10-year history, IN2 shifted its focus from supporting startups to implementing energy technologies within established organizations.
Before pitching their projects in December 2024, participants engaged in months of preparation and education, including technology selection and impact analyses. The pitch session culminated in the cohort presenting their plans to install and use a tool or system within six months, with winners receiving a share of $750,000 in Wells Fargo funding to bring their projects to life.
“This is a monumental new direction for IN2,” said IN2 Program Manager Sarah Derdowski. “IN2 continues to help startups move forward over the ‘valleys of death,’ but now we also get to support the implementation of innovative technologies and make real progress in building a resilient, adaptable future.”
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