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In this issue:

Warren LeonMessage 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
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.

Holy Name High School Dedicates Wind Turbine

Artist's rendering of the Holy Name wind turbine; the turbine will be installed in late August

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.

Community Solar Powered Lighting Program Brightens Town Centers

solar lighting system
A solar powered lighting system installed at the Herbert School in Pittsfield was made possible through a Trust grant and labor costs provided by the IBEW.

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.

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.

The Trust and Awardees in the News

FloDesign finds $6M in first funding
Mass High Tech | August 1, 2008
This year’s Ignite Clean Energy business plan competition winner, FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp., has closed its first round of institutional funding, landing $6 million with the sale of Series A stock. Read more>>
For more technology news, visit Mass High Tech's newly redesigned website at www.masshightech.com and sign up for daily or weekly updates.

A thread to the past
Boston Globe | August 4, 2008
ATTLEBORO - A group of about 17 people carefully traverse the worn wooden floors of the Dodgeville Mill, a 160,000-square-foot textile mill that will celebrate its 200th anniversary next year. The group had just enjoyed a half-hour presentation by Katherine Honey and Gary Demers, who explained their vision of turning part of the site - which houses Demers's rigging company, Demers Bros. Trucking Inc., and 10 small businesses he rents space to - into a museum. Read more>>

Evergreen Solar opens new production facility in Devens
Boston Globe | July 16, 2008
Evergreen Solar, which yesterday cut the ribbon on a new solar-panel manufacturing facility in Devens, has signed a $1.2 billion sales contract with Germany's IBC Solar AG.

The deal, which constitutes about a third of Marlborough-based Evergreen's $2.9 billion contract backlog, is the biggest in company history and extends through 2013. Read more >>

Holy Name to harness wind power
Turbine site being readied
Worcester Telegram and Gazette | July 10, 2008
The wind will soon be doing the work at Holy Name Central Catholic Junior Senior High School, but for now, it's people sweating out the summer days as the school prepares to erect the city's first wind turbine. The school received its building permit about two weeks ago and plans to have the turbine in place by the start of school. Read more >>

Norfolk school goes green
Franklin Country Gazette | June 27, 2008
The town's school department has received a green thumbs up from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Renewable Energy Trust on proposed plans for reconstruction of the Freeman Centennial School on Boardman Street. Read more >>

$5M State loan to help power Co. add 68 jobs in Tyngsboro
Boston Herald |  June 14, 2008
Tyngsboro's Beacon Power Corp. plans to hire 68 new workers for an expansion plan that's being partly funded with a $5 million loan offered by the state. Read more >>

State commits $5M loan to Beacon Power to expand manufacturing
Mass High Tech |  June 13, 2008

Power regulation equipment maker Beacon Power Corp. has landed a $5 million loan commitment to support the expansion of its production facility in Tyngsborough. The deal was announced by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick at a facility inauguration event this morning. Read more >>

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