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State energy pathway · Nevada

Start with the energy systems shaping Nevada.

Nevada's electricity grid faces an unusual problem: 53% of its power comes from natural gas—all imported—even though the state ranks fourth nationally for solar (31%) and second for geothermal (8%). Even with world-class renewable resources, renewables supply only 43% of Nevada's electricity, leaving the grid dependent on imported fossil fuels to meet demand. NV Energy's 2024 coal-to-battery conversion shows how Nevada is actively rebuilding its grid infrastructure around storage systems. That situation makes Nevada a real laboratory for energy decision-making. Students use a real solar panel to forecast solar generation and understand why a state with world-class renewable resources still depends on imported fossil fuels.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

See why energy matters hereJump to the matched course

Why Energy Matters in Nevada

Solar Power in Nevada

Nevada ranks fourth nationally for solar generation—31% of the state's electricity comes from solar farms, making it the second-largest source after natural gas. Solar's share has grown sharply since 2016 and surpassed geothermal as an energy source in 2017. When Grade 7–8 students measure and forecast solar power with a real solar panel, they're learning to predict a resource that is reshaping Nevada's energy mix.

Technology Companies and Nevada's Grid

Nevada's open land, favorable tax policies, and abundant geothermal and solar resources attract technology companies looking for reliable, low-cost electricity. Google, for example, has procured 115 megawatts of geothermal power—a forward commitment that signals what large technology companies seek in Nevada's energy infrastructure. Nevada also ranks second nationally for geothermal resources, providing 8% of the state's electricity and representing 25% of all US utility-scale geothermal capacity.

Nevada's energy puzzle is this: the state has some of the nation's best sun and geothermal heat, yet it imports all its natural gas and still relies on that imported gas to power most of its electricity. Students in the AI Smart Meter project learn to measure real power use, forecast real generation, and understand the energy math that keeps a grid supplied when demand outpaces local renewable sources.

Energy data is from the EIA State Energy Data System, EIA State Electricity Profiles, NCSL State Energy Legislation Database, and state economic development offices.

Start here for Nevada

The AI Smart Meter: Future Prediction

Nevada has world-class solar and geothermal resources—ranking fourth nationally for solar generation (31% of the state's electricity) and second nationally for geothermal capacity (8%, representing 25% of US utility-scale geothermal)—yet still relies on imported natural gas for 53% of its power because renewables cannot meet total demand. The AI Smart Meter project teaches students to forecast energy patterns with AI and test predictions in a Digital Twin—building understanding of why energy source, reliability, and cost shape infrastructure decisions. Grade 7–8 students work with solar panels to forecast generation, connecting directly to Nevada's major renewable resource and understanding why forecasting matters when local supply cannot cover what the state needs.

Mission spotlight

The Energy Cost of AI

Students train an AI predictor on energy data, discovering what it takes to reliably forecast a resource that changes hour by hour with the weather. They use real solar panels to forecast generation, connecting to Nevada's rank as the nation's fourth-largest solar generator. Their digital twin shows how solar forecasting shapes whether the grid must import power to meet demand.

Included in LEA curriculum

Pilot proof

Students enjoy the work because it feels real.

In January 2026, 39 fourth-grade students in Indianapolis completed every lesson from start to finish — coding real pocket computers (microcontrollers), collecting live energy readings, and presenting findings to an audience.

4.6/5

Student enjoyment

72% of students gave it a 5-star rating

100%

Reported learning something new

Every student who took the survey said they learned something new

39

Students completed the entire course

Every student finished all five lessons, coded a pocket computer (microcontroller), and presented findings

Available to book today

Book the support that fits Nevada.

Whether you want to get LEA into the hands of students this semester, plan for a pilot next year, or just learn more about the state-specific approach, you can book a session with our team to get the support you need.

School or district consultation

Review the state-specific entry point, pilot scope, and what implementation would look like for your classrooms.

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Founder-led instruction session

Bring Dr. Naeem Turner-Bandele in to teach a project and show what high-quality facilitation looks like with students.

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Family or community guidance

Get help choosing the right starting point for home learning, after-school use, or a community organization rollout.

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Utility or business partnership call

Discuss local workforce relevance, territory fit, and how we can collaborate to support energy education in your community.

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Find your path

Choose your next step based on how you want to use LEA in Nevada.

Select your path below to see the approach designed for how you will use LEA in Nevada — whether you run a classroom, lead a school, or support a student at home.

Find the right starting point

Schools

Curriculum and professional development for your district

Teachers

Lesson plans and resources for your classroom

Parents

Learn alongside your child with guided family activities

Community

Hands-on energy programs for clubs and community groups

Utilities

STEM outreach and workforce pipeline programs

Businesses

Partner with Latimer Energy Academy to build the energy and technology workforce