Day 8 - Thursday, January 12

Video

Photos

Nebraska LEAD 40 visited a hydroelectric plant while in Colombia. This site was built in the 1960s and produces about 5% of power for the country.
Nebraska LEAD 40 visited a hydroelectric plant while in Colombia. This site was built in the 1960s and produces about 5% of power for the country.
The Calima Hydroelectric Plant is built in the Andes Mountain range. The turbines are built nearly 500 ft. below ground.
The Calima Hydroelectric Plant is built in the Andes Mountain range. The turbines are built nearly 500 ft. below ground.
Generation: Inside Celsia Hydroelectric plant: Four generators create 0.5% of the power to Colombia’s national power grid. Over 70% of Columbia’s power is generated by hydroelectricity.
Generation: Inside Celsia Hydroelectric plant: Four generators create 0.5% of the power to Colombia’s national power grid. Over 70% of Columbia’s power is generated by hydroelectricity.
During the facility tour LEAD fellows engage directly with plant operations engineers. Pictured: Abe Smith
During the facility tour LEAD fellows engage directly with plant operations engineers. Pictured: Abe Smith
In total control: Fellow Rachel Prosser is shown the mobile control and communications tools used at Celsia. Though the plant was brought online in 1965 constant upgrades keep the facility current and efficient.
In total control: Fellow Rachel Prosser is shown the mobile control and communications tools used at Celsia. Though the plant was brought online in 1965 constant upgrades keep the facility current and efficient.
Fellows Mitch Oswald and Stephanie Nelson observe operations at Celsia Hydroelectric.
Fellows Mitch Oswald and Stephanie Nelson observe operations at Celsia Hydroelectric.
Running lean: Celsia employs 20 full time employees at Calima. The professional disciplines include electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers. Support staff is contracted as needed.
Running lean: Celsia employs 20 full time employees at Calima. The professional disciplines include electrical, mechanical, and civil engineers. Support staff is contracted as needed.
LEAD team members were able to observe the main inlet at Celsia. This is one of 34 hydroelectric plants in Colombia.
LEAD team members were able to observe the main inlet at Celsia. This is one of 34 hydroelectric plants in Colombia.
Going deep: Fellows descend underground to view the facility’s turbine system.
Going deep: Fellows descend underground to view the facility’s turbine system.
Interactive sustainability: A guided tour of La Huerta served as an example of how Colombia is educating local farmers on sustainability practices. These education initiatives are intended to prevent deforestation and erosion and to increase food security.
Interactive sustainability: A guided tour of La Huerta served as an example of how Colombia is educating local farmers on sustainability practices. These education initiatives are intended to prevent deforestation and erosion and to increase food security.
Backyard produce: Terraced gardens provide fruits and vegetables for La Huerta guests and add to the diverse landscape.
Backyard produce: Terraced gardens provide fruits and vegetables for La Huerta guests and add to the diverse landscape.
LEAD fellow Stephanie Schuler shows the class how to milk a cow during their tour of La Huerta. La Huerta is a hotel focused on agritourism. The hotel aims to be carbon neutral and grows much of the food for its restaurant on the hotel property.
LEAD fellow Stephanie Schuler shows the class how to milk a cow during their tour of La Huerta. La Huerta is a hotel focused on agritourism. The hotel aims to be carbon neutral and grows much of the food for its restaurant on the hotel property.
La Huerta has improved the health of the soil as seen in rich topsoil through permaculture and carbon sequestration.
La Huerta has improved the health of the soil as seen in rich topsoil through permaculture and carbon sequestration.
La Huerta grows a variety of produce for the hotel restaurant. In addition, livestock - such as pigs, dairy cattle and chickens - can be found on the property.
La Huerta grows a variety of produce for the hotel restaurant. In addition, livestock - such as pigs, dairy cattle and chickens - can be found on the property.
Fellowship: LEAD Class 40 enjoys dinner on their last evening at La Huertanear Calima, Colombia.
Fellowship: LEAD Class 40 enjoys dinner on their last evening at La Huertanear Calima, Colombia.
Fellows are treated to an evening of bonding and revelry on the final evening at La Huerta.
Fellows are treated to an evening of bonding and revelry on the final evening at La Huerta.