MRV Energy Series #5 | Nov. 13
Entries Tagged as 'Energy'
MRV Energy Series #4 | Biomass | 11.15.11
The fourth installment of the MRV Renewable Energy Series will take place on Tuesday, 11/15, 7 PM at the Big Picture Theater. Biomass will consist on four presentations followed by Q & A.
- MRV Biomass Analysis | Cecilia Danks, PhD & Susannah McCandless, PhD. Cecilia and Susannah will summarize the work of the Community Biomass Project, a partner project of UVM, VT Family Forests, and the National Forest Alliance. For the past few years the CBP has focused on opportunities for increasing the sustainability of the MRV’s local wood supply as part of an overall goal of achieving energy independence in heating and power generation. Results of wood consumption and forest practices in the MRV will be presented.
- Harwood Union Forest Project | Kimberly Coleman, UVM. Kimberly will share a variety of forest education and mapping projects focusing on Harwood’s 180 acre forest. This project sprang out of the Community Biomass Project and is a partnership between teachers, staff, and UVM. More info here.
- Biomass Heating Systems | David Frank, Sunwood Biomass. David will provide an overview of biomass heating systems, from chips to pellets.
- Heating Homes & Greenhouses with Compost | Gaelan Brown, Compost Power Network. Gaelan will talk about the Jean Pain Method of woody biomass compost – heating with wood without burning wood.
The final event in the series will be Energy Conservation, Efficiency, & Weatherization on December 13th.
These talks continue the dialogue of energy in the Valley through structured, information-based public discussions exploring a range of issues related to the Valley’s energy future. Summaries of all events and copies of presentations are available at www.mrvpd.org.
MRV Energy Series #3 | 10/24
The third installment of the MRV Energy Series will take place on Monday, 10/24, 7 PM at the Big Picture Theater. Financing Energy Projects & VT’s Energy Plan will consist on three presentations followed by Q & A.
- Marianne Tyrrell, Esq., Fellow at VT Law School, will provide an overview of financing options for residential energy efficiency improvements. Mrs. Tyrrell co-authored the recently released Financing Residential Energy Efficiency in VT, an investigation of financing tools and procedures that can enable lenders to accelerate the pace of home energy improvements.
- Peter Adamczyk, Energy Finance & Development Manager with VT Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), will explore one financing option for green improvements: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE). PACE provides energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for residents funded by taxable municipal bonds and repaid via ones property tax bill. Waitsfield is one of the “quick start” towns in this new and exciting program.
- Elizabeth Miller, Commissioner of VT Department of Public Service, will talk about energy programs at the state level as well as the draft Vermont Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP). The CEP addresses Vermont’s energy future for electricity, thermal energy, transportation, and land use. This is a great opportunity in advance of the CEP’s 11/4 public comment deadline.
The last two events in the series are Biomass & Hot Water (November 15th) and Energy Conservation, Efficiency, & Weatherization (December 13th). These talks continue the dialogue of energy in the Valley through structured, information-based public discussions exploring a range of issues related to the Valley’s energy future. Summaries of all events and copies of presentations are available at www.mrvpd.org.
Residential & Community Solar | Sept. 20th
The Mad River Valley Planning District’s second installment of its five-part Mad River Valley Energy Series takes place on Tuesday, September 20th – 7 PM at the Big Picture Theater. Residential & Community Solar brings professionals in the renewable energy field to speak on different aspects and opportunities for solar in the Mad River Valley. Fayston resident Gaelan Brown will provide an overview of solar with Photovoltaics 101. This will be followed by a discussion of the MRV Community Solar Farm project via the Mad River Valley Energy Network co-operative. Last, James Moore will provide a description of VPIRG’s Solar Community Program, which is making its way to the broader MRV in 2012. All are invited to this free community event.
Subsequent events will be held monthly through the end of the year: Financing Energy Projects (October 24), Biomass & Hot Water (November 15), and Energy Efficiency (December 13). These talks continue the dialogue of energy in the Valley through structured, information-based public discussions exploring a range of issues related to the Valley’s energy future.
MRV Energy Series | Aug. 30th
The Mad River Valley Planning District is hosting a five-part Mad River Valley Energy Series through the fall that explores a broad range of issues related to the Valley’s renewable energy potential. The series starts at 7 PM on August 30th with Local Energy History & The Foundation for Our Energy Future at the Big Picture Theater. Bill Maclay of Maclay Architects will provide a historical perspective of the Valley’s energy production and consumption, as well as provide a perspective on producing energy locally. Brian Shupe of VT Natural Resources Council will provide the framework for how communities and the state plan for and guide energy production. Last, Carl Etnier of Transition Town Montpelier will share a model for community energy planning through his efforts in developing an Energy Descent Action Plan.
Subsequent events will be held monthly through the end of the year: Residential & Community Solar Projects (September), Financing Energy Projects (October), Biomass & Hot Water (November), and Energy Efficiency (December). These talks continue the dialogue of energy in the Valley through structured, information-based public discussions exploring a range of issues related to the Valley’s energy future.
MRV Smart Grid Presentation | Rescheduled | January 25th
On Tuesday, January 25th, 7-9 PM at the Waitsfield Elementary School Library, come out and hear about the Smart Grid. VT has received substantial funding to develop a comprehensive Smart Grid system, consisting of electric meters that communicate in real time – high speed information and communication technology that change the way utilities operate and how customers interact with them. The result is greater reliability, operational efficiency and customer choice. VT received $69 million in federal grants last year, matched by the utilities, resulting in a $138 million total investment, to be installed state-wide in 2012. Presentation from Robert Dostis, Leader of External Affairs and Customer Relations at Green Mountain Power and the former Chair of the Vermont House Natural Resources and Energy Committee.
This event is rescheduled from 1/12/11 due to weather.
Energizing Our Valley’s Future | Wrap-Up
Last night’s energy discussion, Energizing Our Valley’s Future: What Do We Know?, presented by the Mad River Valley Planning District, was a great success. The 45 people in attendance gained a broader understanding of energy consumption in the MRV and learned about a tool developed specifically for Vermont focused on exploring our renewable energy options. The event was taped by Mad River Valley Television and will be shown on Waitsfield Telecom Public Access Channel 44.
Attached below are the slideshows presented by Joshua Schwartz of MRVPD and Mike Brouillette of VCGI. It is hoped that the info contained within the presentations will enhance existing energy conversations and serve as a basis for additional renewable energy development scenarios. The calculations for ground mount solar offset are just an example – folks are encouraged to run the numbers for different renewable technologies and different thresholds (eg. 10% offset vs. 100% offset). The comment section of this blog post can serve as a place to share feedback, provide additional info, and list questions that could help us gain a better understanding of our energy landscape.
Transition Towns: From Oil Dependence to Local Resilience | a Community Discussion for the Mad River Valley
What might our community look like when we can no longer count on large quantities of cheap fossil fuels? What can we do now that will preserve what we value, prepare us for this inevitable change, and create the better future we desire?
These and other questions will be discussed at a community presentation and discussion of Transition Towns to be held on Tuesday, June 1st at 7 pm at the Waitsfield Elementary School. The public is invited and the event is free.
Transition is a grassroots, community-based movement that began in Great Britain in 2006 and has quickly spread across the globe. Its aim is to build community resilience in the face of such challenges as peak oil, climate change and economic crisis. Five residents of the Mad River Valley (Stan Ward, Gaelan Brown, Jasna Brown, Ben Falk and Bill MacClay) will share their knowledge and experience of working with the Transition movement and similar initiatives in the Mad River Valley, help participants explore the relevance of this model for the valley, and discuss possible next steps.
Topics to be addressed will include: What is a Transition Town? What have been some of the accomplishments of other Transition Towns? How might this model help us promote sustainable development in the Mad River Valley? And what are some specific projects that could be done?
Proposed projects include but are not limited to:
- A community-funded commercial kitchen and food-processing plant that is open to anyone to use, similar to the “Vermont Food Venture Center” being built in Hardwick;
- A community-funded slaughter-house and meat-packaging/distribution center;
- A community-funded composting operation, including a household compost pick-up service added to the local trash collection system, and compost sold to local farmers and gardeners at low cost;
- A renewable energy co-op to organize group-net-metering wind and solar projects;
- A firewood CSA system to support local loggers and ensure affordable, local firewood, perhaps including a community investment in wood processing equipment; and
- Community-funded tree-farms for fruits, nuts, and mushrooms (edible landscape).
This event is sponsored by the Valley Futures Network and the Carbon Shredders. For additional information contact Jill Arace at 496-9974 or jarace@gmavt.net.
Request for Projects | Local Community Initiatives | Fall 2010
Based on the success of this past fall’s MRV focused UVM course, Local Community Initiatives, instructor Chip Sawyer is planning a second round in the fall of 2010. Now is the time to start planning the course, and more importantly, brainstorming potential projects.
The UVM course Local Community Initiatives is a service-learning course that allows undergraduate and graduate students to contribute to community projects in the Mad River Valley. This course will be held in the fall of 2010. The course was very successful and valuable for both students and Mad River Valley residents, alike, in the fall of 2009. The final project reports are available at the Mad River Valley Planning District website at http://www.mrvpd.org/DocumentsLibrary.php.
Please see attached the course description and the list of expectations for students and project partners.
During the first weeks of the course, the students will choose from among 3-5 projects in the Mad River Valley. Now is the time for interested community members to propose projects. The projects will be compiled by the Mad River Valley Planning District and the Valley Futures Network. A steering committee made up the of the course instructor, the Executive Director of the Mad River Valley Planning District, members of the Valley Futures Network, and other Mad River Valley community members will consider the projects submitted and choose a list to be proposed to the students.
Projects will be chosen based on:
the likelihood of a project to be completed by students in the fall and winter of 2010;
the learning potential that a project presents to the students and community partners;
the extent to the which the project will contribute to efforts and partnerships going forward; and
the impact that the project could have upon the Mad River Valley.
Based on the success of this past fall’s MRV focused UVM course, Local Community Initiatives, instructor Chip Sawyer is planning a second round in the fall of 2010. Now is the time to start planning the course, and more importantly, brainstorming potential projects.
The UVM course Local Community Initiatives is a service-learning course that allows undergraduate and graduate students to contribute to community projects in the Mad River Valley. This course will be held in the fall of 2010. The course was very successful and valuable for both students and Mad River Valley residents, alike, in the fall of 2009. The final project reports are available at the Mad River Valley Planning District website at http://www.mrvpd.org/DocumentsLibrary.php.
Please see attached the course description and the list of expectations for students and project partners.
During the first weeks of the course, the students will choose from among 3-5 projects in the Mad River Valley. Now is the time for interested community members to propose projects. The projects will be compiled by the Mad River Valley Planning District and the Valley Futures Network. A steering committee made up the of the course instructor, the Executive Director of the Mad River Valley Planning District, members of the Valley Futures Network, and other Mad River Valley community members will consider the projects submitted and choose a list to be proposed to the students.
Projects will be chosen based on:
- the likelihood of a project to be completed by students in the fall and winter of 2010;
- the learning potential that a project presents to the students and community partners;
- the extent to the which the project will contribute to efforts and partnerships going forward; and
- the impact that the project could have upon the Mad River Valley.
The deadline for projects is March 15th.
Minutes for January VFN Monthly Meeting
VFN Monthly Meeting Minutes of 01/08/10
Attendees: Susan Klein, Rob Williams, Jared Cadwell, Stan Ward, Joshua Schwartz, Dan Holtz, Amy Todisco, David Hartshorn, Gregor Barnum, Peter Forbes, Ginny McGinn, Jen Higgins, David Dion, Tom Barefoot, Susan Johnson, Suzie Snow, Jill Arace, Geri Pocachinni???, Mike Dupee, Carmen Dupee, and John Donaldson
1) Time Bank – Jen, Suzie and Geri from Rootswork described this project which the Rootswork board has approved as a pilot project. They anticipate that 2010 will be a slow but steady building year to get to a critical mass of participants. The Time Bank is an organized system to exchange services, using “Community Weaver” software provided by timebanks.org. It will be similar to the Onion River Exchange in Montpelier (see http://www.orexchange.org/). The Onion River Exchange has grown from 35 members to over 300 in 28 towns.
Jen is pulling a working group together and would like VFN participation to make it a collaborative effort. Anyone interested in working on this should contact Jen.
2) Music Bank - Mike Dupee presented this idea for bringing the Valley music community together. It is still a work in progress. The effort may kick off with an Open Mike night in February, perhaps to also help kick off the Time Bank.
3) Community Pot Luck - The first potluck, organized by Jill Arace and Susan Klein will be held at the Waitsfield Church at 6 pm on January 24th. Posters made by Dan Holtz were distributed. There may be music, but this will be done at the end so it doesn’t interfere with the social mixing. People are encouraged to bring their own “plateware” in addition to a food item to share. Help is needed to set up at 5:45.
4) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants Update – Josh reported that 6 or the 7 local grant applicants made the first cut. About $ 11 million was requested statewide for the $ 6 million that is available. More comprehensive applications are due February 2 and results will be announced in May.
5) Update on Local Community Initiatives Class taught at UVM – Chip Sawyer reported that based on the resounding success of the recent class, another class will be given next fall and we should be thinking of projects for the students. All information and output from the recent class is hosted on the Mad River Valley Planning District website (http://www.mrvpd.org/DocumentsLibrary.php).
6) Announcements –
- Ad hoc agriculture group – Gregor announced the second meeting of this group will be February 15. Hardwick representatives will be reporting on what they have done at this meeting.
- Gross National Happiness International Conference – Tom Barefoot said the conference will take place in Burlington on June 1 – 4. GNH is based on the premise that the calculation of “wealth” should consider other aspects besides economic development: the preservation of the environment and the quality of life of the people. (See http://gnhusa.org/). Some background sessions will be held in February and the group is looking for volunteers to help test community measures to indicate progress.
- Workshop – Susan Klein said Rob Williams is working with the MRV Chamber to lead a workshop on demystifying Facebook, Twitter, Blogger and other social media outlets. He will show how to use these Web 2.0 tools to further business and to work together through social media for general benefit of the MRV business community. The workshop will be Tuesday, January 12 from 9am-noon at the Big Picture Theater. It is free to chamber members and $10 for all others.
- New section on Mad River Valley.com website – see http://www.madrivervalley.com/vermont/directory/by_type.asp?catid=108 for a new section on Local Food Producers.
- Another Karaoke Night - organized by Dan Holtz will be held January 22 at the Big Picture. Will Susan Klein give an encore performance of Harper Valley PTA?
Next meeting is Friday 2/12 at the Green Cup.
Submitted by John Donaldson