Message from Trust Director
Warren Leon
Dear friends,
More than two and a half years
ago, it was my great privilege to take on the challenge of directing
the Renewable Energy Trust. I am proud that, working with so
many of you, we have made great strides toward a cleaner energy
future for Massachusetts.
The time has come for me take
on new challenges, so I will be stepping aside as director of
the Trust at the end of the summer. I owe a huge debt of gratitude
to the highly talented, experienced staff at the Trust, as well
as to all of you who have worked so hard to advance clean energy
solutions in the Commonwealth.
Among many accomplishments, we
helped Forbes Park, Jiminy Peak, and the Massachusetts Maritime
Academy install wind turbines that stand as beacons of clean
energy and light the way for dozens of others planning to harness
wind energy. We expanded production of electricity from small
hydro facilities. We helped municipalities and developers construct
green schools and affordable housing that will be healthier for
occupants and less expensive to operate. We strengthened the
clean energy cluster by making investments in companies that
are creating new jobs and new technologies. We enabled hundreds
of low and moderate-income families to save money on their energy
bills. Through Clean Energy Choice, we unleashed widespread citizen
activism and provided millions of grant dollars to cities and
towns.
We have worked energetically
to support and implement Governor Patrick's important clean energy
agenda by helping set up an expanded solar rebate program and
by helping Massachusetts win competitions to attract three significant
institutions to the state: a national wind technology testing
center, a major Evergreen Solar manufacturing plant, and the
MIT-Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems. I also
take great pride in the fact that our programs have earned clean
reports from the State Auditor's Office and that we administered
public funding programs in a fair, thoughtful, impartial manner.
Energy is clearly one of the
most important topics of 2008, and we are fortunate to have a
Governor and State Legislature committed to innovation in this
critical area. The landmark energy bill signed by Governor Patrick
in July establishes new mechanisms and provides new powers to
support clean energy development. A new Governing Board for the
Renewable Energy Trust will develop a strategic plan that takes
full advantage of tools like net-metering and long-term contracts.
I will work with Commissioner
Phil Giudice and the Department of Energy Resources to ensure
a smooth transition at the Trust this summer. I will then take
on new assignments at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative,
including a project with the national Clean Energy States Alliance.
I have treasured the opportunity to get to know many of you and
look forward to interacting with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Warren Leon
Director
Renewable Energy Trust
New Life for Hydroelectric
Facilities
Woronoco Hydro
Woronoco Hydro has recently completed
the rehabilitation of two turbine/generator sets with a combined
capacity of 900 kilowatts at its hydroelectric facility on the
Westfield River in Russell, MA. The facility, originally built
to supply power to the former International Paper Company mills,
was purchased by Woronoco in 2002. The two turbine/generators
had been idle since the mid-1980s while a third turbine generator
has been in continuous operation. The rehabilitated facility
will make better use of river flows; annual electricity generation
is expected to increase three-fold. MTC entered into a renewable
energy certificate (REC) purchase contract which provided the
developer with certainty about project revenues--a critical piece
for securing financing for construction.
The rehabilitation of these generator
sets, penstock, and related equipment, coupled with improved
controls, give this circa-1915 plant a new lease on life. Shown
below is the updated facility.
Methuen Falls Hydroelectric Company was recently awarded a $40,000
Trust grant to install updated controls and automation at its
existing facility on the Spicket River in Methuen, MA. The project
will enable the facility to increase generation by at least 21%,
or about 250,000 kWh per year, by activating a currently idle
85-kilowatt turbine and optimizing its operation with that of
the main 250-kW turbine. The total project cost is expected to
be $85,000, and the project is expected to be completed in 2009.
Learn more about funding available
for upgrades, rehabilitation, redevelopment, or development of
eligible run-of-river hydropower projects with nameplate capacity
between 100 kW and 30 MW here.
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Holy Name High School Dedicates
Wind Turbine
Holy Name Central Catholic Jr. Sr. High School's new 600-kilowatt
wind turbine has been delivered and will be dedicated on August
11. The Worcester school was awarded $575,000 through the Large
Onsite Renewables Initiative for the wind turbine, which will
be the largest turbine erected to date in central Massachusetts.
"It has been our pleasure
working with Holy Name on this exciting project," said Tyler
Leeds, Project Manager at the Trust. "Not only is this wind
turbine an important symbol of the school's commitment to the
environment and a useful educational tool, but it will also help
the school control its rising electricity costs with the production
of clean, renewable energy."
The project has enjoyed strong
support from U.S. Congressman James McGovern, who has championed
it since its earliest days. And Headmaster Mary Riordan has worked
vigorously to make the school's dream of producing its own clean
electricity a reality.
In the weeks following the dedication,
the turbine will be installed and commissioned, and should be
operable by early September.
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Community Solar Powered Lighting
Program Brightens Town Centers
Six communities in Massachusetts are the first to receive Renewable
Energy Trust grants to light up previously unlit spaces with
solar electricity. As a result, memorial monuments, flagpoles,
or small sitting areas are now bathed with light in the evening
from solar-powered systems.
Barnstable, Barre, Pembroke,
Pittsfield, Quincy, and Wareham qualified for the Trust's Community
Solar Powered Lighting Program, a pilot project in partnership
with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
This use of solar lighting introduces communities to clean, renewable
solar electricity. In addition, the pilot program helped a Massachusetts
business, SolarOne—which designs and develops these systems—to
grow its operations in the Commonwealth.
The purchase of the solar panels,
accompanying lighting fixtures, So-Bright™ intelligent control
technology, and battery was made possible by a grant from the
Renewable Energy Trust administered by the Massachusetts Technology
Collaborative. The labor to install the units was made possible
by members of IBEW Local 103 and their affiliates.
Because of the success of the
initial installations in the six communities, we have now expanded
the program and are offering systems to twenty additional municipalities.
To learn more or apply for this program, please view the solicitation.
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Renewable Energy Collaboration
with Chinese Delegation
On June 23, representatives from
state government, industry, and academia met with the China Investment
Promotion Agency (CIPA) for a Symposium on Innovation and Collaboration
at UMass Boston. The purpose of this event was to promote Massachusetts
businesses and increase collaboration between Chinese and Massachusetts
companies in several areas, including clean energy.
Governor Deval Patrick gave a
welcoming address honoring the Chinese visitors and highlighting
the Commonwealth's and China's shared goals in clean energy,
life sciences, tourism, and international investment. Secretary
of Housing and Economic Development Daniel O'Connell, UMass President
Jack Wilson, UMass Boston Chancellor Keith Motley, Deputy Director
of CIPA Yu Hua, Director of Administration Section of the ChinaTorch
Yang Yuecheng, and New York Counsel General Peng Keyu also spoke
at the symposium. Panels on each of the topics followed the morning
address.
Moderator Sudhir Nunes and clean energy panel participants
The clean energy panel featured Massaschusetts representatives
from industry, academia, venture capital and government, as well
as a technology park representative from China. Sudhir Nunes,
Senior Manager of International Enterprise for the Renewable
Energy Trust, moderated the discussion and spoke about the important
role that Massachusetts clean energy companies and universities
play in helping China to leapfrog existing energy technologies
and sustain its economic boom while addressing its severe health
and environmental problems. He added that Massachusetts investors
and companies can also partner with Chinese clean energy companies
looking to enter the US market.
Xia Xin of Tianjin Hitech Industrial
Park delivered an impressive presentation that showed how successful
Chinese technology parks have been for large European renewable
energy companies like Suzlon and Gamesa, and made a strong case
for Massachusetts companies to consider joining these hubs of
activity.
Hal Thrasher, Director of New
Business Ventures at Rohm & Haas, described the vast opportunity
for Massachusetts solar technology and component companies to
do business with Chinese solar manufacturers looking to improve
the quality and efficiency of their products. Loren Walker, Associate
Director, Research Liaison and Development, UMass Amherst, described
UMass' myriad renewable energy R&D activities and important
ongoing student exchange program with China. Jim Matheson, General
Partner at Flagship Ventures, described his firm's work in creating,
financing and building innovative companies, and highlighted
opportunities for Chinese involvement.
David Cash, Assistant Secretary
for Policy at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs, wrapped up the discussion with a commitment
from Governor Patrick's administration to facilitate greater
exchange between clean energy entities in Massachusetts and China.
