Commonwealth Conversations: Energy Smarts

Deer Island Tour

Rachel Schowalter

Multimedia Intern at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

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On December 3, 2012, I was given a tour of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's (MWRA) facilities at Deer Island. Kristen Patneaude, my tour guide and project manager for the MWRA, showed me their various renewable energy installations around the island. It was an unexpectedly gorgeous day for December, making it the perfect time to take pictures of wind turbines and solar panels!

Click the picture to go to Flickr and select <12-3-12 Deer Island> under the header: "This photo also appears in."

“Home MPG” Provides Easy-to-Grasp Energy Score

Elise Anderson

Building Energy Program Coordinator, Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

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It’s not often that those of us working on energy policy at the Department of Energy Resources get to see the impact on a family’s life by one of our new energy initiatives. Recently I had the chance to visit the home of Jim Marowski and his family in Palmer and hear how energy efficiency improvements and incentives have made their home more comfortable and affordable. The Marowskis participated in “Home MPG” (miles per gallon), a Mass Save® Home Energy Services initiative.

Home MPG provides:

• A no-cost Energy Performance Score (EPS) that rates the building’s energy characteristics – rather than occupants’ life-style – much like a vehicle MPG rating, and allows comparison
  between area homes based on the structures’ expected energy use and carbon emissions. Homeowners get to see an EPS both before and after making home energy improvements to show the impact of those upgrades. 
• Bonus incentives – in addition to those already provided through Mass Save – to offset the cost of insulation and heating/hot water equipment upgrades. 
• A web interface to connect homeowners to an infrared thermal image of their home (if available) to illustrate the potential for targeted cost-effective building envelope improvements. 
• A web-based tool that allows homeowners to view the results of their Mass Save home energy assessment and energy scorecard.

The results from the Marowski’s no cost Home MPG/Mass Save home energy assessment pointed up specific changes they could make to take advantage of energy efficiency incentives through Mass Save. The family spent about $9,000 on their improvements: heating system, hot water heater, and attic insulation. But thanks to the incentives, they were reimbursed for about half of those costs.

With anticipated savings of around $1,400 a year in reduced energy expenses, it won't take long for the Marowskis’ improvements to pay for themselves. "That will be within about three years, based on the projected savings and what the out-of-pocket expense was. It's not difficult at all. If I can take advantage of these programs, anybody can," Jim Marowski said.

The communities participating in the Home MPG initative are Belchertown, East Longmeadow, Hampden, Longmeadow, Monson, Palmer, Springfield and Wilbraham. If you live in one of these towns and want to learn more about Home MPG, check out http://masssave.energy-performance-score.com/. If you're generally interested in home energy upgrades that save money, go to masssave.com or call 1-866-527-SAVE (7283) to schedule your no-cost home energy assessment.

Putting Clean Energy Interns to Work

Tamika Jacques

Director of Workforce Development at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

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The 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) Internship Program will again provide opportunities this spring for college students and recent graduates to intern with interested clean energy companies based in Massachusetts.

Not only do interns earn a paycheck but they gain meaningful employment experiences including networking opportunities, mentoring, and hands-on training. For companies – including early-stage companies without the resources to employ a large staff – the students provide a steady and engaged workforce to help them get their projects off the ground.

I was lucky enough to join Governor Deval Patrick when he spoke last month at the 2012 Global Cleantech Meet-up and announced the expansion of the program to include 10-week internship sessions in the fall and spring, as well as traditional the 10-week summer program.

University of Massachusetts Amherst chemical engineering graduate student QuynhAnh Tran and Boston University energy and environmental analysis major Amanda Colby were there too (pictured left to right with the governor). Both of them were hired as full-time employees after their internships.

They are two of the 38 students who gained full-time and part-time employment over the past two summers when the program placed more than 262 students and recent graduates at more than 77 clean energy companies across the state.

This program, co-sponsored by the New England Clean Energy Council, is a natural fit for us at MassCEC’s Workforce Development Program, which is dedicated to connecting Massachusetts’ talented workers with emerging and established Massachusetts clean energy companies, growing Massachusetts’ clean energy ecosystem.

Space in this program is limited, so we invite you to apply today.

It's Getting Cold Out - Spend Less & Stay More Comfortable

Tom Witkin

Marketing and Collaboration, Department of Energy Resources (DOER) 

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Daylight Savings Time is over, a clear hint that the warm weather is past. Standing on the train station platform this morning removed any doubt for me; I needed my gloves. It got me thinking about what we can do when the temperature plunges to keep our homes more comfortable and spend less on heat at the same time.

The Globe published a good starter called How to winterize your home: A procrastinator’s manual with 8 tips. U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Savers Guide: Tips on Saving Money and Energy at Home is a great jumping-off point for lots of practical advice. The site makes a critical point for homeowners. To paraphrase:

The key to savings is to take a whole-house approach -- view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a furnace -- it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts (or pipes if you have a boiler). Even a top -of-the-line,  energy efficient furnace or boiler will waste a lot of fuel if the ducts or pipes, walls, attic, windows, and doors are leaky or poorly insulated.

Start off with these tips and use the DOE site to gather details on specific topics such as insulation, lighting, appliances, even renewable energy options (my house now has photovoltaic panels on our roof, but that's another story):

• Install a programmable thermostat. Believe it or not, there are ones that are easy to use and no longer require a PhD (I've never figured out the one in our living room).
• Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and lower the setpoint when you're sleeping or away from home.
• Clean/replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended, and air vents, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed. Make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
• Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to, contact a professional.
• Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
• Keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night.
• Check windows and doors for air leaks and seal/caulk any you find.

If you have an oil burner, check this tip sheet. The state's Home Heating Consumer Assistance web page has (hot) soup-to-nuts information on weatherization services and fuel assistance, as well as recommendations to minimize your winter heating bill. Mass Save® is the place to start for a home energy assessment that can lead to all sorts of money-saving opportunities.

Sure, we're New Englanders. We're tough and don't mind the cold (so much). Then again, we don't have anything to prove. Why not get comfortable and save some money, too? Might make any Patriots' losses easier to take.

Leading By Example Awards Winners Contribute To Clean Energy Goals

Mark Sylvia

Commissioner, Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

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The 2012 Leading by Example (LBE) Awards showcased the wide spectrum of government organizations and individuals contributing to the fulfillment of the Patrick-Murray Administration's clean energy goals. This year's nine recipients ranged from small and medium-size towns, to a regional planning authority, to a community college and UMass campus, to state agencies, to committed individuals.

The award-winning efforts underlie broad LBE accomplishments. The program has increased the installations of solar electric power (photovoltaics or "PV") at state facilities to more than 6 MW in 2012 from a mere 100 kW in 2007. Installed wind power at state sites -- now 11 MW -- has grown 18-fold from 2007 to 2012. At the same time, oil usage dropped over 9 million gallons between 2002 and 2011. The drop in electricity use at 480 state-owned buildings from installation of the Enterprise Energy Management System managed by LBE is projected to be in the five-to-fifteen percent range.

But these dramatic totals are not the result of a single state program or initiative. Rather, they represent the aggregate of individual projects, driven by impassioned people and dedicated organizations, across diverse segments of the public sector. Reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions that flowed from actions taken by this year's award winners were enabled by Massachusetts' policies and initiatives, such as the Leading by Example Program. The projects that made up the reductions, however, were very much local, even those executed by large state agencies. Here is a sample of the projects from all nine 2012 award winners:

State Agencies: The Massachusetts Department of Correction installed two commercial wind turbines, totaling 3.3 MW capacity at its Gardner facility. A community swimming pool rehab project in Waltham opened by the Department of Conservation and Recreation incorporates solar PV for electricity and solar thermal for hot water, and is expected to supply nearly all of its own energy needs (zero-net energy).

Colleges: North Shore Community College opened the first state-owned zero net energy pilot project and UMass Lowell increased its recycling rate by more than 376 percent since 2008.

Municipal: The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission procured services for its fifteen member communities to pursue the development of PV on closed landfills. Scituate’s 1.5 MW wind turbine is expected to generate about 50 percent of the town’s electrical needs for 15 years, while Sutton used ARRA funding to install a 201 kW solar PV system on its Early Learning Center, projected to save the town $25,340 a year.

Individuals: Betty Ann Learned led Massasoit Community College to implement a comprehensive energy and water conservation project that will save around $12 million over 20 years with a 40 percent reduction in annual energy use. In Sudbury, Jim Kelly oversaw the installation of solar thermal and solar PV systems on the town community center and managed a streetlight conversion project that will save an estimated $21,000 a year.

The Leading by Example award winners demonstrate the impact that a "think globally, act locally" clean energy mind-set can have on achieving Massachusetts' clean energy goals.

Seven Clean Tech Bay State Companies Hit The Top 100

Alicia Barton McDevitt

CEO and Executive Director at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

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Earlier this month we received independent confirmation for something we’ve known around these parts for some time – Massachusetts’ clean technology firms are among the best in the world.

Seven firms headquartered right here in Massachusetts were named to the 2012 Global Cleantech 100 list put out the San Francisco-based think tank The Cleantech Group.

These companies – Joule in Bedford, Digital Lumens in Boston, FRX Polymers in Chelmsford, FirstFuel Software in Lexington, 1366 Technologies in North Lexington, Harvest Power in Waltham and Boston-Power in Westborough – have demonstrated that they are among the most successful private clean tech firms in the nation.

I’m very excited to see so many local firms represented on this prestigious list, which is compiled through judging from hundreds of individuals in the clean tech community who know exactly what makes a company successful.

Sitting at the end of the traditional energy pipeline, Massachusetts lacks indigenous supplies of coal, natural gas and oil. Of the $22 billion Massachusetts spends annually on energy, $18 billion of that goes to out-of-state and foreign sources.

There are firms across our state developing new technology every day to increase our energy independence, keep our energy dollars at home and create local jobs in the process.

The success of Massachusetts firms on this independent list also shows that the investments the state has made in the clean energy sector are paying off on a global scale. As Governor Deval Patrick has said before, Massachusetts is the heart of the clean energy revolution and if Massachusetts gets it right, the world will be our customer; and seeing local firms among the best in the world solidifies this belief.

The ranking is further proof Massachusetts clean tech firms are among the best in the world.

Step-by-Step Guide to Solarize

Alicia Barton McDevitt

CEO and Executive Director at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

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You only have until October 31 to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of the Solarize Massachusetts Program. 

Solarize Massachusetts allows residents and small businesses to access discounts on rooftop solar installations through a group-buying program. It is simple for residents and businesses in the 17 Green Communities participating in the program.

Just follow the steps detailed in these photos and you too can get your home Solarized.

One Month Left to “Go Solar” at Discounted Rates

Alicia Barton McDevitt

CEO and Executive Director at Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)

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With a couple of weeks left before this program’s new October 31 deadline, I’m excited to tell you that our solar bulk purchasing program – Solarize Mass – is already a huge success.
Residents from 17 communities across Massachusetts have signed contracts for more than 288 roof-top solar systems that will produce 1.9 megawatts of clean, renewable energy and cut energy costs below traditional sources of electricity. This is enough to power the equivalent of 312 homes each year and cut the greenhouse gas emissions equal to those of 212 cars.

These numbers are incredible.

My favorite part of the Solarize Mass program is the way it brings so many people together.
Our dedicated solar coaches, who are community volunteers, are working with municipal officials, residents, and businesses in their cities and towns to make sure people have the information and tools they need to participate in the program. Our program partners in the private sector – eight solar installers across the state – are working with communities and individuals to adopt this renewable source and drive down the cost of energy.

Administered by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and funded by the state Department of Energy Resources’ Green Communities Division, Solarize Mass builds on the enthusiasm and local know-how of these community representatives, residents, and businesses.

The hard work by all of these players has paid off; more than 4,000 residents have already expressed interest in the program, leading to more than 1,700 site visits completed. There are hundreds more scheduled for the coming days and weeks.

This interest is no small thing. Solar power will help the state decrease its dependence on outside energy sources and create local jobs in the process. Massachusetts spends $22 billion a year on energy, whether it’s to heat our homes or power our vehicles. Of that total, $18 billion is sent out of the state, out of the region, and out of the country.

Programs like Solarize Mass and others that promote the expansion of renewable energy are already keeping more of these dollars here in the Commonwealth, improving the state’s economy as a whole.

But we’re not done yet.

There’s still time for residents of the 17 Solarize communities – Acton, Arlington, Boston, Hopkinton, Melrose, Mendon, Millbury, Montague, Newburyport, Palmer, Pittsfield, Lenox, Shirley, Sutton, Wayland, Sudbury and Lincoln – to sign up to take part in this exciting program.

Interested? Head to the Solarize Mass website and get started!

A Tornado’s Path to Energy Efficiency

Tom Witkin

Marketing and Collaboration, Department of Energy Resources (DOER) 

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Adopting energy efficient technology, products and processes was likely not top-of-mind for home and business owners after tornadoes swept through cities and towns in Western Massachusetts on June 1, 2011. 

With everything from broken windows to wholesale destruction of homes, businesses, municipal and other community buildings, state energy officials wrestled with how to meld the region’s recovery with smart energy decisions. Many people needed to repair or rebuild a structure, so why not give them a reason to do it in a way that saves energy and dollars at the same time, now and for the future?

Enter ReBuild Western Massachusetts (“ReBuild”), a partnership between the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC). (Application deadline now extended to October 1.) Thanks to a combination of federal stimulus and state funding, ReBuild put millions of dollars on the table in the form of grants for any homeowner (who can also take advantage of zero interest bank loans), business owner or municipality that can document tornado damage.

Yet only a fraction of the thousands affected have inquired about the program. Why? The program did take time to get off the ground and many were concerned about the time it might take to fill out forms. But for a program offering real dollars, it was hard to understand the slow buy-in. ReBuild program managers listened more carefully and discovered that some of those affected (wrongly) assumed that they were not eligible. After all, parties hit by the tornadoes were in line for money from insurance claims and Mass Save® incentives through their utility. So why, they figured, should they get additional dollars from the state? Moreover, their focus was understandably on making their buildings livable or capable of hosting business, not completing more applications.

Here is your answer if you are asking, Am I eligible? If you had tornado damage documented by an insurance claim, FEMA or other supporting state, local or federal agency, you are eligible. These funds – for insulation, doors, windows, HVAC, engineering studies, and more – are an addition to insurance payments and incentives from Mass Save. Better yet, the higher the efficiency of your repairs, the bigger your incentives. ReBuild is working harder to make it easy for you to get a share of the millions available.

If you live in Western Massachusetts, please help us get the word out now — before the October 1 deadline; tell your friends, neighbors, building contractors, business owners, everyone. Rebuild Western Massachusetts is just one of the programs designed to make energy efficiency more pervasive in Massachusetts. Please take advantage of a gift that will keep on giving.

New Trees Grow in Springfield

Ted Dobbin

Clean Energy Fellow, Department of Energy Resources (DOER)

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Following the devastation of last year’s tornadoes, which destroyed an estimated 4,000 trees, Springfield residents decided to step up to the plate and rebuild their neighborhoods. ReGreen Springfield created the Tree Planting Initiative, which has made tremendous progress in its efforts to restore vibrancy to Springfield, Massachusetts.  During the project’s initial phase, there were over 800 trees planted in tornado affected neighborhoods using $385,000 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds directed by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER). Due to the initiative’s incredible success, DOER allocated an additional $125,000 of ARRA funding to expand efforts as part of its ReBuild Western Massachusetts program. This allowed for a total of 300 more plantings, bumping up the total to 1,140 trees.

Trees provide far more than a respite from the mid-afternoon sun. From off-setting carbon emissions, to reducing the Heat Island Effect (a build-up of thermal energy in urban spaces), trees are a multi-faceted tool for remedying environmental problems. Trees trap carbon dioxide, one of the major contributing greenhouse gases, and release oxygen into the environment. They can help to reduce urban runoff and erosion, absorb sound and noise pollution, and reduce airborne dust levels. During the summer months, the shade created by healthy trees can help to decrease cooling demands in nearby households and reduce ambient air temperature across neighborhoods. Alternatively, trees can serve as windbreaks for buildings during the winter months and help cut home heating costs for affected homeowners.

These inherent traits are all well and good, but dare I say it, the personal significance of trees should not be overlooked. Whether it’s the maple tree in the front yard whose branches you swung through as a child or the giant oak that you carved your initials in, a tree is more than a carbon dioxide sponge. For many of us, they represent the idea of “home,” or a time in one’s life. A time when everything was simpler, and it felt safe to catch fireflies in the backyard beneath that old apple tree on a balmy summer evening. 

Springfield’s Tree Planting Initiative has helped replace some of these anchors of time and memory lost in the storms of last summer. Excuse the sappiness (and this pun), but I hope these newly planted trees will provide the families of Springfield with a lifetime of new memories.

ReGreen Springfield's efforts are profiled on its Facebook page.