Energize The Warehouse brings green tech to Riverside

Wilmington nonprofit The Warehouse has launched the Energize The Warehouse initiative, supporting vocational and educational opportunities via three green technologies now hosted at the 1121 Thatcher St. location.

The Warehouse is the teen-centered arm of The WRK Group that also includes REACH Riverside and Kingswood Community Center. Energize The Warehouse is produced in collaboration with Delmarva Power, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and other community partners,

The technologies include:

• Agricultural (Ag) Pod — Delivered last October, the sustainable indoor vertical growing environment for produce allows communities to grow food year-round. This technology was also supported by the Electric Power Institute and Planting To Feed Inc.
• Vehicle-to-Grid Bus — The electric, zero emissions bus will provide a cleaner transportation option for visitors of The WRK Group. This technology was supported also by the University of Delaware.
• Solar and Battery Storage System — The system provides clean solar energy to The Warehouse, which saves it money on energy costs. This technology was also supported by the DNREC Green Energy Fund and CMI Solar & Electric.

“This is transformational for the community,” said Logan S. Herring, Sr., CEO of The WRK Group. “We are feeding our neighbors with fresh and healthy produce from the Ag Pod. We are transporting our friends and family to The Warehouse and beyond with cleaner technology. We are creating a culture where a commitment to clean energy is normal and expected. We are so thankful to all of our partners for investing their time and energy into Riverside and making us an example in clean technology.”

Jessica Wescott, founder and executive director of Planting to Feed, said the organization was excited to be a part of the initiative, which serves one of the city’s most under-resourced and low-income communities.

“We believe access to quality foods should be a right and not a determinant of your ZIP code,” she said. “Emerging technologies like the Ag Pod will help to eliminate barriers to quality foods in a sustainable way.”

The initiative also has the potential to be transformational to the community as a workforce development program. The green energy industry is one of the fastest growing, with plenty of jobs in Delaware and beyond for people with the training in trades like energy management. This is just one of The Warehouse’s workforce development offerings; others include hospitality and game coding.