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C&I REnews Archives C&I REnews #1 April/May 2004 C&I REnews #2 – Summer 2004
CI REnews #3, Fall 2004
Classes are under way again at local schools, providing renewed opportunities for students of all ages to jumpstart careers in the clean energy sector and for communities to build human capital in an industry that could yield hundreds of new jobs in southeastern Massachusetts within the next 5 years. Under a grant from the National Science Foundation, ape Cod Community College (CCCC) is leading the regional effort to create a highly skilled workforce in clean energy technologies. CCCC’s partners include Cape Cod Tech, Upper Cape Cod Tech, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Cape & Island Self-Reliance, Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR), and UMass Dartmouth. At CCCC this fall, Richard Lawrence of Self-Reliance is giving instruction on renewable technologies, and Kevin Galligan of Cape Light Compact (CLC) is teaching about energy efficiency and conservation. At the two tech schools, hands-on learning opportunities are being created by on-site energy management, lighting, solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, and wind monitoring systems. By spring 2005, an innovative, web-based teaching tool—developed based on technology from HighStreet Networks—will be providing all students with real-time access to operational, meteorological, and other data from clean energy technologies sited in the region.
Market Building
In many building applications, present market conditions favor less efficient energy uses, as well as energy supply options with adverse impacts on local environments and communities. Incentive programs encourage site-specific installations of cleaner and green technologies. Broader market penetration may be achieved by promoting life-cycle advantages, turning market actors into allies, and designing policy interventions. The EDC-cosponsored event series will engage builders, architects, engineers, the construction trades, building and equipment suppliers, advocacy groups, government officials, and other stakeholders in identifying and breaking down barriers to sustainable design and green construction. These events will leverage existing outreach, education, and incentive programs offered in local communities. Already a major funder of CCCC’s energy education programs, EDC also plans to support curriculum development at Cape Cod Tech and Upper Cape Cod Tech and a conference on the connections between renewables and economic growth in Barnstable County.
Strategic Planning Electricity Technology Roadmap: Meeting the Critical Challenges of the 21st Century was published by EPRI, a nonprofit research center funded by more than 1,000 organizations in 40 countries. Its conclusions are based on 14 “limiting challenge” studies that engaged the industry, government, nonprofit, and R&D sectors in exploring issues expected to pace technological progress and influence the human condition through 2050. The “Eco-Asset Management” study, directed by Water Energy & Ecology Information Services (WEEinfo), focused on institutional and technical barriers to the valuation of ecological services and to the cost-efficient resolution of resource management issues such as transboundary pollution, climate change, and biodiversity. It defined an R&D strategy to support adoption of ecologically sound, market-based policy frameworks that stimulate investment in renewables, efficiency, environmental protection, and other key areas. To accelerate progress toward a sustainable energy future, EPRI is coordinating with government and industry stakeholders to mobilize public-private action around the Roadmap’s recommendations.
Self-Reliance and WBNERR have received a grant award from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to support the next phase of CIREC’s “Transitioning from the Energy Present to the Energy Future in the Cape & Islands Region” project. Phase II work will build on Phase I activities, which led to the creation of the Cape & Islands Energy Information Clearinghouse. Under the new grant award, CIREC participants will conduct public awareness activities within the context set by the Massachusetts Climate Protection Plan and the 2004-05 Cape Cod Sustainability Indicators Project. The state’s plan supports “no regrets” actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in ways compatible with economic growth and other state policies and objectives, while the indicators project encourages planning and action toward regional and local sustainability. CIREC participants will design communications materials and will offer events and other educational opportunities (1) to build awareness of the “true costs” of energy supply and use options and of local climate change mitigation activities (see next article); (2) to promote green power purchasing and community- and residential-scale installations of wind and solar technologies; and (3) to encourage sustainable thinking and action at the individual and community levels.
Community Action Falmouth and Barnstable are the only two Cape & Islands communities with explicit policy commitments for addressing threats posed by climate change. In 2002, they joined the Cities for Climate ProtectionTM campaign administered by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). Since then, the towns have inventoried GHG emissions, established emissions reduction targets and timelines, and begun implementing the systematic efforts required to achieve policy goals. At the recent meeting, Barnstable officials highlighted the town’s Green Team, which engages all municipal departments and employees in conceptualizing and implementing emissions reduction activities that make economic and environmental sense. Members of the Falmouth Energy Committee reported on the town’s Climate Action Plan. This document, currently undergoing final review, will guide future municipal and community decision-making on the full spectrum of energy-related issues. During roundtable discussion, attendees focused on the complementary nature of the different approaches taken by the two towns, as well as on opportunities to share experiences and lessons learned with each other and additional local communities. Attendees also explored how to educate local and regional officials and the public about the benefits of joining the ICLEI program and of looking at energy supply and use from a sustainability perspective. Future collaborations are planned to promote emissions reduction as a means for stretching municipal budgets, protecting the environment, promoting economic development, and preserving community character.
Planning for a sustainable energy future is under way on Martha’s
Vineyard, guided by a vision of “energy independence within
a generation.” The Vineyard Energy Project (VEP) is directing strategic planning activities under funding provided by the MTC. Ongoing emphases are to collect and analyze data on the consumption of electricity and fuels and on the use of cleaner and green energy technologies. More than 70 operating or scheduled PV installations have been documented, as have about 50 solar heating systems. Data like these will provide a basis for collaborative efforts to develop creative, integrated strategies for meeting future energy needs in local communities. The VEP’s goal is to develop an energy planning roadmap that identifies priorities and projects in three primary areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy generation, and energy education. The document, intended to be both visionary and practical, will be designed to compel islanders to join the effort of becoming a “renewable energy island” and of providing a model to other communities on how to make—and implement—sustainable energy choices.
Public Education
Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Electric Restructuring
Act of 1997, local consumers can already elect to purchase power
from a competitive supplier. By March 1, 2005, all Massachusetts
consumers must choose a supplier. Picking a supplier can be a complex
decision. Suppliers compete primarily on the price or the environmental attributes
of their power. In choosing a supplier, consumers have the opportunity
to send market signals that may accelerate the transition to cleaner
sources of electricity and may encourage investment in renewable
energy development. The website’s new “Tips for Choosing a Power Supplier” page is presented in “Frequently Asked Questions” format. It includes three sections. First, it offers step-by-step guidance to help consumers in evaluating the power they are buying based on the information contained in their current supplier’s energy disclosure label. Next, it characterizes supply options, including “system power” products, cleaner alternatives, and green products. Issues to consider when “going green” are treated in detail. Finally, it identifies the supply options currently available to Cape & Islands consumers, including a variety of green power products. It also presents a framework for comparing products based on price, power source, and emissions characteristics, and it offers a sample “true cost” evaluation of hypothetical options.
C&I REnews #2 Market Building
Biodiesel costs more per gallon than conventional diesel fuel, but it is domestically produced, and it offers clear environmental advantages. Individuals, businesses, and communities have begun purchasing biodiesel from Loud Fuel in Falmouth and from Packer Oil in Vineyard Haven, and the Cape Cod National Seashore recently took its first shipment. Self-Reliance is directing outreach and education activities to promote biodiesel use in transportation, marine, construction, and other applications. Later this year, it will introduce biodiesel to the home heating market through its money-saving oil cooperative.
Green Buildings WHRC’s built environment links a renovated summer home with state-of-the-art office and laboratory space. It integrates green design practices, sustainable materials, high-efficiency construction, advanced mechanical systems, and renewable technologies. The AIA Committee on the Environment recognized it as one of the Top 10 best-practice examples of high-performance, sustainable design in North America. The building’s embedded measurement and monitoring systems generate the comprehensive energy-related data required to fine-tune its performance. On WHRC’s “Building Performance” webpage, they offer unique perspective on the operations of photovoltaic, geothermal, efficiency, and other technologies. For example, real-time net metering data show whether the building is exporting green electrons to, or drawing dirty electrons from, the Cape & Islands power grid.
Public Education
The program reviewed present and future vehicle technologies and examined the economic and environmental advantages of fuel efficiency. Students looked at the engines and smelled the exhaust of various vehicles. Hans Keijser of Barnstable’s Structures & Grounds Division introduced the town’s all-electric EV1, on loan from GM. Joan McCarty of Cape Cod Commission described her hybrid Toyota Prius. Richard Lawrence of Self-Reliance talked about his biodiesel Jetta and displayed model solar and fuel cell cars. After the demonstration, students drew cars they might like to drive—or to invent. Their visions of future transportation options will be displayed on the Cape & Islands Energy Information Clearinghouse. Additional energy visioning exercises, developed with local students and educators, are planned for the 2004-05 school year.
Renewables
Development The Hull tour is free. It complements public meetings, surveys, and other outreach activities initiated to support a possible wind energy development project being evaluated by the town of Falmouth. Earlier this year, a meteorological tower was installed at the town’s wastewater treatment plant with funding from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC). The tower began reporting wind resource and other data at the beginning of May. The bus tour, funded by MTC, is part of the ongoing educational campaign on municipal wind projects directed by Self-Reliance and Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR). It will depart from Hyannis at 8:30 a.m. and stop at the Sagamore park-and-ride lot. Reservations are required. Bring a bag lunch or walk to the clam shack near the turbine.
Cape & Islands
Energy Information Clearinghouse Update This page was last updated Saturday February 21, 2009 |
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