Sustainable Energy Conference 2008
KEYNOTE SPEAKER “What some see as a looming crisis, others see as the opportunity of a lifetime. Both views are right, of course. But which of the two will prevail depends on whether we are willing,with a reasoned urgency, to act. There are clouds on the horizon, but I plan to convince you of their silver lining. Then I will leave you with an open question- What are we waiting for?” Paul Kando was orginally educated as a chemical engineer and went on to work on one of the first projects using solar energy. In the wake of the first 1970s oil crisis, he switched to energy research and led a team conducting the first-ever energy audit on a whole city. He was also involved in designing and installing the solar heating system for the White House during Jimmy Carter's presidency. At the University of Delaware he conducted research on energy storage technologies and photovoltaics. Later he managed a large solar energy program for the U.S. Department of Energy. After 1981, he worked in building energy research both in the U.S. and Scandinavia, where he produced three documentary films on advanced building systems. His current activities include consulting and teaching, conducting energy audits and leading discussions on issues of current interest, especially climate change.
Hybrid Solar: Combined solar heat and electricity More information on Chris Straka and Ascendant Energy can be found at: www.ascendantenergy.com
If you are a designer, builder, or you are considering building a home in the near future, this seminar will help inform you of the many different ways to make your home more healthy, and energy efficient, while shrinking its ecological footprint on the planet. For more info on Mike White, visit: www.island-carpentry.com
Geothermal Installations
Solar Hot Water Solar hot water is a sensible and practical way to make a positive impact on the environment while saving money at the same time. A typical residential system will reduce carbon emissions by almost 3000 pounds and save hundreds of dollars worth of electricity. Fortunat Mueller will be presenting a seminar on this growing technology, as well as showing off some of the hardware located at Chewonki’s campus. How Solar Hot Water Works -
Solar Air Heating Solar Air Heating will be the topic covered by Rob Taisey, of Assured Solar Energy. Solar Air Heating is a simple and direct approach to using the sun’s rays to warm your home. Previously dubbed by Popular Science magazine as one of “The 100 Most Technologically Significant New Products of the Year,” solar air heating offers interesting and economical solutions to conventional heating methods. How it works: A solar air system brings air into a building through the south wall fitted with perforated metal siding creating an open-loop, transpired air collector. The siding acts as a giant solar collector, and on sunny days SolarWall heating systems can raise the indoor air temperature by 30 to 70 degrees F depending on flow rate. That's 160 BTUs of heat per hour for each square foot of SolarWall paneling. On cloudy days the panels provide energy savings as a pre-heating system for ventilation air. The whole unit consists of just two parts – the black, perforated collector and a fan. Because of its simplicity, solar air units are extremely affordable and long-lasting. Renewables and Economics
MaineHousing’s mission is to assist Maine's people to acquire and maintain decent, safe, affordable housing and services suitable to their unique housing needs. Under the leadership of the Director, Dale McCormick, environmental impact and energy conservation have become part of maintaining decent and affordable housing. For more information please visit www.mainehousing.org.
Exhibits The Chewonki Sustainable Energy Conference will also be showcasing a host of different technologies from around the state.
Maine Wood Heat
Solar Trailer
Biomass Heating Fuel
For more information on Mark, check out: www.evergreenheat.com
Electric Cars Test drive an assortment of electric cars from Maine Electric Vehicles.
For info visit www.MaineEV.com, or call 207-233-9970.
If you would like more Information on the conference, please contact: Peter Arnold or Tom Twist If you would like to Register: Back to Registration Page Thank you! |
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Through a visually rich presentation, Paul Kando will briefly address the latest science, the warning signs, and the anticipated tipping points that will affect our world and our region. He will speak on the many things people and nations around the world (with very similar resources to our own) are doing about climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels. 
Chris Straka of Ascendant Energy will discusses major milestones achieved for mainstream adoption of solar technologies. First presented at the Chewonki Sustainable Energy Conference in 2004, this presentation covers significant breakthroughs realized in technology and finance since then, including Ascendant's Solar Heat and Power (SHP) invention that is being piloted at Chewonki this spring as part of an award given by the Maine Technology Institute. 
Green Building Design
Geothermal energy is one of the most promising and economical means of residential heating. In this seminar, John Logan speaks on this up-and-coming renewable energy. Geothermal energy can be used anywhere on earth – not just places which have a high underground temperature. Geothermal installations use the constant temperature of the earth (45-55degrees F) to heat homes in the winter, and cool them in the summer. A heat pump is used to maximize returns. It is estimated that geothermal installations produce 4-5 units of energy for every unit expended.
Heating homes in Maine is becoming more of a pressing issue as oil prices and carbon emissions continue to rise. Improving energy efficiency in the home and piloting new alternative fuel source technologies are a few of the ways that MaineHousing is involved in policy-based programs that focus on energy improvements in the residential sector. Jo-Ann Choate and Lucy Van Hook, of MaineHousing, will discuss the Green Building Standards developed by MaineHousing, innovative alternative energy technologies implemented under a research grant including cold climate heat pumps, windmills and solar thermal, internal improvements made while following the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, and the new Carbon Market Project. 
Maine Wood Heat will be introducing a new line of wood-burning gasification stoves, which not only combust wood, but also the volatile gasses given off in wood pyrolysis. Because these new stoves reach very high temperatures, they are extremely clean-burning and produce very little ash and smoke. They are usually coupled with a stone masonry façade for increased thermal mass, to insure that heat radiates into your house long after the fire has died down. 
Designer and builder Blair "Tump" May will be showcasing a solar trailer, which puts out roughly 2 kWatts of electricity. Blair will be on hand throughout the conference for one-on-one discussions about installation of photovoltaic systems, pricing, layout, and design. He will also be showing some of the PV systems which he himself installed at Chewonki.
Wood fuel is currently the mainstream choice for renewable heating in New England. An abundant source of energy, it supports local suppliers as well as allowing for fuel independence. When cordwood or pellets are burned efficiently and responsibly, there is little visible smoke - unlike most of the outdoor heating furnaces. Biomass fuel has a high efficiency and an impact on limiting greenhouse gases. Mark Norwood will discuss the pros and cons of biomass heat for our locality, as well as covering state-of-the-art biomass heating technologies.
Zero emissions from driving 100% electric cars means no pollution and no greenhouse gasses. And because they are so much more efficient than fossil-fuel cars, the energy that goes into making the electricity is reduced by several fold -- it's like getting up to 200 miles per gallon (its energy equivalent).
Electric cars are actually much simpler vehicles than those using internal combustion engines meaning that there are fewer problems and much less maintenance. They're also fun and easy to drive and much, much quieter for a more relaxing driving experience.