K-Stater unlocks his passion for electrical engineering by lending a helping hand through a project with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Research is often about solving problems, but sometimes its greatest impact is helping people overcome them.
By helping the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation pursue greater energy sovereignty through renewable energy projects, K-State students like Diego Sanchez are doing more than solving technical challenges. They’re building relationships, expanding cultural understanding and seeing firsthand how their work can make a difference.
Led by professor Hongyu Wu, the five-student undergraduate research team split into two focus areas: solar model testing and machine learning-based solar irradiance forecasting.
Powered passion
As part of the model testing team, Sanchez helped design a solar power proposal for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation’s Boys and Girls Club. The project required the team to navigate real-world challenges, from wiring and energy storage concerns to seasonal sunlight variations, panel shading and evolving plans shaped by input from tribal leaders.
Though it was already influential for Sanchez to have hands-on technical experience, his passion was truly sparked when his team visited Potawatomi Nation.
“The second week of the program, we went to one of the tribal pow-wow celebrations,” Sanchez said. “Seeing a culture so different from mine made me realize this project was not just going to be beneficial to me, but to a lot more people as well.”
The project is a win-win situation for both parties. K-State gains a valuable outlet for applied learning experiences and the Potawatomi Nation takes another step toward becoming green-energy sovereign.
“They are very happy that K-State students are supporting their mission to become self-sustainable,” said Sanchez. “They’re very supportive of the project and are hoping for an official proposal from us.”
Part two
But Sanchez’s work is not finished yet. He is working with Wu as an undergraduate research assistant on the second part of the model testing project. They are using more advanced software to perfect the proposal for eventual implementation into the Potawatomi Nation.
Sanchez is grateful for the opportunity to help others while exploring his passion for electrical engineering. K-State has helped him picture his future and the impact he hopes to make as an electrical engineer.
“K-State has given me many opportunities to develop critical-thinking skills and present my work, as well as a paid research position in a field that I love,” he said. “This project gave me another reason to be proud to wear purple.”