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In this issue: Newly operational biomass facility will mean more renewable energy for Mass. ratepayers Sustainable Energy Economic Development (SEED) Initiative launches new rolling solicitation Massachusetts Audubon Society: educating the public with $100K Trust grant New resource on green schools available online
Newly operational biomass facility will mean more renewable energy for Mass. ratepayers With assistance from the Renewable Energy Trust, a 50-megawatt coal-fired generating system has been converted into a low-emission, advanced biomass system fueled by wood chips and other clean wood materials, which will translate into more renewable energy for Massachusetts ratepayers.
In late 2003, Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), a utility, sought the Trust's support through the Massachusetts Green Power Partnership to help them develop the Northern Wood Power project at the Schiller generating facility in Portsmouth, NH. The Trust entered into an agreement with PSNH regarding the project's renewable energy certificates (RECs) for years 1 through 4 of the biomass system's operation, which was a critical element in allowing the project to move forward through regulatory approvals. The agreement provides PSNH with a guaranteed market for 10% of the RECs in each year. Massachusetts ratepayers will benefit from the new biomass system in several ways. Because the Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires electricity suppliers to obtain renewable energy as a percentage of the total load (2.5% in 2006; 3% in 2007), demand has increased for new clean energy generating facilities. Because the RPS draws on regional renewable energy resources, the renewable energy certificates from the new biomass system in New Hampshire will feed into the Massachusetts RPS. The project will account for almost 1/5 of the 2007 RPS requirement. Additionally, more money will be put into clean energy programs as a result of the Trust's purchase and re-sale of the project’s RECs for 2007, the first year of operation. These funds will further benefit Massachusetts ratepayers. Learn more about the Massachusetts Green Power Partnership >> Sustainable Energy Economic Development (SEED) Initiative launches new rolling solicitation
The Trust has announced the release of the 2007 SEED Solicitation for early-stage companies based in Massachusetts that are developing new renewable energy products or services. Through the new solicitation, SEED provides direct and flexible capital of up to $500,000 to qualifying companies and facilitates companies' access to private capital. Past SEED Award Recipients include Agrivida, CellTech Power, Lilliputian Systems, Nanoptek, Premium Power, SolarOne, Safe Hydrogen, and Ze-gen, representing a diverse spectrum of renewable energy technologies from solar photovoltaics to biomass energy to fuel cells. Read SEED call to companies >> Read SEED call to investors >> Learn more about the new SEED solicitation >> Massachusetts Audubon Society: educating the public with $100K Trust grant Mass Audubon to develop educational initiative around its own renewable energy systems and green buildings From the North Shore to the South Shore, from metro Boston to the Cape, the Massachsetts Audubon Society has been making its facilities more environmentally friendly by incorporating renewable energy and energy-efficient design. Now, a new $100,000 public awareness grant from the Trust will enable Mass Audubon to educate thousands of visitors on the benefits of green design and renewable energy. Mass Audubon will be using its grant from the Trust to develop a statewide interpretive and visitor services initiative. One component of the initiative will involve the promotion of photovoltaic arrays currently featured or under consideration at ten of their Nature Centers. Permanent interpretive exhibits will be installed at the Nature Centers that have PV, and Mass Audubon will create printed materials that will be made available to the public at all of Mass Audubon's Nature Centers. Mass Audubon will also be using the Trust grant to create a webpage that offers information about green buildings and renewable energy.
“Mass Audubon's goals to help reduce the impacts of climate change and build a sustainable future include reducing our energy- and carbon-footprint, using appropriate renewable energy technologies, and educating people about energy and water conservation measures that can be replicated in homes and businesses. Such measures are good for the environment and will also reduce our operating expenses over the long term.” said Stuart Weinreb, Mass Audubon Director of Capital Assets and Planning. The new, green Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Nautre Center in South Wellfleet is a model of green design and energy efficiency, featuring passive heating and cooling, innovative water management, daylighting, and environmentally sound materials. The project is expected to achieve a Gold rating under the LEED Rating System, a national green building guideline. A grant from the Trust has offset the sanctuary's cost of some of its green features, including a solar water heating system and an 18-kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system. The sanctuary is also a green power customer—purchasing from both Mass Energy and the Cape Light compact—and is exploring the possibility of generating more of its own energy through wind power with a Trust-funded feasibility study. Read about other Mass Audubon facilities that are greening up >>
A new 8-page brochure detailing the environmental and financial benefits of green schools in Massachusetts is now available on MTC's website. The brochure covers key elements of green school design, the health and educational benefits of green schools, and available assistance from the Trust and the Massachusetts School Building Authority. To unsubscribe from Watts News, please email wattsnews@masstech.org. For additional free subscriptions to the newsletter and other periodic announcements from the Trust, please email that address or visit our registration page. |
Letter from Trust Director Warren Leon
