The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act

The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010 was passed by the House of Representatives Wednesday. The act supports the development, implementation and longevity of a National Clean Energy Technology Export strategy through a $15 million Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund. The fund also assists domestic clean tech companies by locating markets abroad for export. This is great news for the 30% of small/medium sized clean tech companies who lack the market information and export opportunities/process to offer their products to the global community.   The Department of Energy predicts that U.S. clean tech exports will increase from $7.7 billion to $40 billion by 2020, creating more than 750,000 jobs. 

For more information visit http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-5156.

First PowAIR Sail installation

The Carousel Center/Destiny USA, a shopping mall in Syracuse, NY that is one of the largest in NYS, recently installed three Impact Technology PowAIR Sail wind turbines on the roof of thecomplex. SUNY ESF and SUNY Oswego have made commitments to install PowAIR Sail wind turbines on campus, but the Carousel Center marks the first commercial test installations. The turbines will be monitored by both Impact Technologies and SUNY ESF as a beta test, and will serve as a valuable learning resource to interested students.

For more information visit Impact Technologies at http://www.impact-technologies.com/.or Carousel Center/Destiny USA at http://www.destinyusa.com/carousel/.

Funding opportunity for transportation technology

This New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is offering $3,000,000 in funding to support the development, demonstration and commercialization of advanced transportation products, systems and services. The funding is open to any transportation technology that relates any of NYSTAR's energy, environmental or economic goals including reducing New York's dependence on fossil fuels, increasing vehicle efficiency, reducing air pollution/emissions of greenhouse gases and the creation of manufacturing/technical jobs. Proposals are due by August 19, 2010 at 5:00 pm. For more details visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2045summary.pdf.

Blue Hill Partners invest in Performance Systems Development, LLC.

Having developed the world's first home performance program in 1995, Performance Systems Development, LLC (PSD) is a true pioneer of the building performance industry, and continues to lead the field. The Ithaca, NY based company specializes in the development of building-efficiency software as well as implementation-consulting allowing for a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency programs.

Blue Hill Partners, a green technology investment firm has recently recognized Performance Systems Development's success/potential by investing in the company. The investment will allow PSD to expand its energy efficiency programs to meet the growing demand for housing retrofits which has been been fueled by heavy federal subsidies.  For more information visit: http://www.psdconsulting.com/.

100 million gallon Sunoco ethanol production plant begins operations in Upstate NY

Oil giant Sunoco, Inc. has officially started corn ethanol production at Northeast Biofuels, the plant it purchased last year in Volney, NY. When operating at maximum capacity the plant is capable of annually producing 100 million gallons of ethanol, or roughly one fourth of the company's total demand. Although ethanol is currently being produced exclusively for the company's own use, Sunoco company sees potential for future growth as the demand for alternative fuel sources increases.
The plant currently employes 60 people in the Town of Volney and buys as much corn as possible from local farmers. 

For more information see the Central New York Business Journal's July 23rd article here or visit Sunoco's website here

Ithaca based company to develop plastics from waste carbon dioxide.

Novomer Inc., a sustainable chemistry company based in Ithaca, NY has received $18,417,989 from the Department of Energy to develop a commercial scale process for converting waste carbon dioxide into recyclable plastics. Funding was awarded to six companies through the American Recovery and Reinvestment act in an effort to create economically favorable carbon capture and storage methods. In total the DOE granted $156 million to the six companies whose carbon applications included fertilizers, fuels, cement and building materials. Novomer's technology can also be applied to carbon monoxide for commercial applications ranging from diapers to paints.

For more information on Novomer Inc. visit http://www.novomer.com

New small wind testing facility to come to Central New York?

John Panayil, the owner of PTJ Mechanical Corporation of Syracuse, NY has his sights on opening a testing facility for small-scale domestic wind turbines. PTJ Mechanical specializes in the assembly, repair and testing of Hoffman Centrifugal blowers, providing basic infrastructure for the new venture. Mr. Panyil's facility would mark Central New York's second small wind testing center as Intertek opened a facility Otisco, NY earlier this year.

For contact information visit PTJ Mechanical Corporation's website at http://www.ptjmech.tk/.

New York Loves Clean Tech

New York Loves Clean Tech, a consortium of economic development agencies that span from Albany to Buffalo is working to position Upstate as a new solar photovoltaic (PV) production hub in the United States. The group includes Mohawk Valley EDGE, New York’s Creative Core, Greater Rochester Enterprise and Buffalo Niagara Enterprise), and receives primary funding/logistical and operational support from National Grid, as well as additional funding from NYSERDA. New York Loves Clean Tech’s collaboration was launched last year and shows no delay in the push for New York’s PV future.

In June members of the organization traveled to Munich, Germany for Intersolar Europe, the largest solar industry event in the world with 1,700 exhibitors and over 70,000 attendees. A month later, members were off yet again to Intersolar North America in San Francisco. Currently the organization is gearing up for a trip to Valencia, Spain to staff a booth at the 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition in September.

New York Loves Clean Tech's booth at Intersolar Europe

Mike Novakowski, Director of Business Development for New York’s Creative Core, promotes New York’s location, R&D, education and supply chain assets as well as aggressive incentives and a productive workforce which make it ideal for the production of products related to solar energy. He noted that the Intersolar conferences have been very successful, filled with high quality conversations with solar PV manufacturers from around the world.

For more information on New York Loves Clean Tech visit:  http://www.nylovescleantech.com/.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/NY-Loves-CleanTech/132158630132086.

file:///NYLovesCleanTec.

Eastman Kodak Co. shows interest in sustainability.

Eastman Kodak Co. is donating one million dollars to the Rochester Institute of Technology's Institute for Sustainability. The Institute is part of the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and focuses primarily on improving production methods to cut waste and use fewer natural resources. The money will be used to fund research at the Institute and set up a lab that will allow Kodak to work collaboratively will RIT on sustainability projects. Xerox has already donated two million dollars to the Institute and is one its founding partners.

MicroGen Systems to work with Cornell University to develop self charging battery.

MicroGen Systems LLC of Ithaca, New York has signed a memo with Cornell University's Energy Materials Center (emc2) to develop a battery that charges itself using vibration. The battery will be the size of a microchip and capable of harnessing energy from virtually anything that shakes. The battery will be ideal for use in a wide range of industrial, automotive, military and building applications. MicroGen systems is set to receive critical funding to develop the battery from the New York State Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation's Center for Future Energy Systems along with Cornell's nanoscale science and tech facility and emc2.

The collaboration aligns directly with Governor Patterson's task force on diversifying the New York State Economy through Industry-Higher Education partnerships which claims that such partnerships will do a great deal in diversifying New York States economy as well as establishing a single commercialization culture.

MicroGen Systems is a portfolio company of the Clean Tech Center. For more information visit http://www.microgensystems.com/.

Department of Energy grants three New York based projects $5.5 million.

The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) division of the Department of Energy has awarded a total $5.5 million  to three New York State based energy research projects for their potential to significantly improve the way energy is used/produced in the United States while simultaneously increasing competitiveness and creating jobs.

The CUNY Energy Institute of New York City received a total of $4,568,330 for two projects. The Energy Institute received $1,568,330 to develop an electrically insulating material to be used for a revolutionary thin film capacitor that would allow for low-cost, efficient grid interfaces and metacapacitors, or flexible sheets of fabric that can be used for electrical power conversion. The Energy Institute was also awarded $3,000,000 to develop a grid-scale fully-rechargeable energy storage system out of ordinary low-cost disposable alkaline batteries.

GE Global Research of Niskayuna, NY was awarded $949,545 to develop a magnetic component to support compact power interfaces between solar photovoltaics and the electrical grid.

For more information visit http://www.ny-best.org/page/new-york-based-projects-win-55-million-groundbreaking-energy-research-doe-press-release.

Syracuse to be featured on PBS's "Building Healthy Communities".

Syracuse will featured alongside New York City, Los Angeles, Detroit, Oakland and Elgin, Ill. on PBS's 5 hour series titled "Building Healthy Communities." Building Healthy Communities is centered around Dr. Richard Jackson, a public health guru who analyzes communities for health aspects such as walkability, pollution and illness. Dr. Jackson and the PBS crew will make an appearance in Syracuse next week to film the section which will feature 40 medical students from Upstate University. The students are scheduled to take Dr. Jackson on a bus tour of the area as well as discuss the public health effects of Syracuse's built environment. The program will also feature the differences between Skaneateles and Onondaga lakes.

Funding for Syracuse's spotlight came from the Gifford Foundation, Syracuse University, St. Joseph"s Hospital Health Center, the John Ben Snow Foundation and various other local organizations/businesses.

For more information see the Post Standard article by Charles McChesney at http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/part_of_pbs_series_to_be_filme.html  or visit PBS's website at http://www.pbs.org/.

Funding awards for five Upstate New York companies.

Five Upstate New York companies are the fifth-round winners of Commercialization Assistance Program (CAP) awards, a program of CenterState CEO that is administered by the SyracuseCoE. The purpose of the CAP awards is to promote the commercialization of innovative clean technologies. $245,475 was distributed among five Upstate New York winners, including: ACT Bioenergy (Schenectady, NY); Orthogonal (Ithaca, NY); Cameron Manufacturing & Design (Horseheads, NY); Vette Corp. (Ontario, NY); and e2e Materials (Ithaca, NY). The funding is designed to accelerate the path to commercialization.

ACT Bioenergy, a company that is pioneering the production of commercial-scale, high efficiency wood pellet/chip gasification boilers in the United States, was awarded a $50,000 CAP award. If only 10% of New York households switched to wood heating, an estimated 10,000 jobs would be created directly along with as many as 61,000 multiplier jobs. For more information about ACT Bioenergy refer to our June 23rd blog post at http://cleantechny.blogspot.com/2010/06/act-bioenergy-boiler-helps-wild-center.html or visit ACT's website at http://www.actbioenergy.com/.

Orthogonal Inc. is in the process of commercializing a patent pending photoresist for producing organic electronics including photovoltaics and energy-efficient solid-state lighting. Such a photoresist will drastically reduce the cost of producing clean energy technologies, increasing the economic viability of their use for a wide range of applications. Orthogonal Inc. was awarded a $50,000 CAP award. For more information on Orthogonal Inc. visit http://www.orthogonalinc.com/.

 

Cameron Manufacturing & Design is in the process of creating a comprehensive commercialization plan for their patented grid electrode precipitator, a device that removes air contaminants. Cameron Manufacturing &Design was awarded a $46,475 CAP award. For more information visit http://www.blogger.com/goog_428754842.

Coolcentric, a division of Vette. Corp has teamed up with IBM to create “The Open Sidecar,” a passive in-row data center cooling product, which ejects heat without the use of fans. The Open Sidecar is 2-3 times more efficient than its competitors and up to 10 times more efficient than legacy air-cooling solutions. Although only 1.5% of our nations energy use comes from data centers, a saving of only 10% of data center energy would save 10.7 billion kilowatt-hours per year the same amount of energy as roughly one million homes. Vette. Corp was awarded $50,000 in the awards  For more information visit http://www.vettecorp.com/.

E2e Materials, a company that specializes in the production of petroleum free, biodegradable composites, received a $50,000 CAP award to aid in the development of new prototype composites. E2e has the potential to revolutionize the composite market, putting New York State on the front lines of the industry.
For more information on e2e Materials refer to our July 12 blog post at http://cleantechny.blogspot.com/2010/07/ithaca-based-company-has-solution-to.html or visit e2e’s website at http://www.e2ematerials.com/.

The funding for the Commercialization Assistance Program was secured by New York Assemblyman William Magnarelli. 

Center for Advanced Microelectronics hosts symposium

The Center for Advanced Microelectronics Manufacturing (CAMM), a national flexible electronics prototype manufacturing facility, in conjunction with Binghamton University, Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Cornell University, the Flex Tech Alliance, Sandia National Laboratory, and the Binghamton Chapter of the IEEE CPMT is hosting the third annual Flexible Electronics Symposium on August 17-18, 2010 on the Binghamton University campus, in Binghamton, New York.

The symposium will bring together leading researchers from academia, national labs, and industry in the fields of flexible electronics, device and conductor printing, and emerging electronic materials to review and share new research findings in critical technology areas and identify issues for the rapidly growing flexible electronics field. It will provide an opportunity for discussion on key research and development areas and for sharing of ideas and information. One of the key objectives of the symposium will be to establish research and development needs in this field. As part of the symposium, attendees will be able to take a tour of the CAMM’s roll-to-roll manufacturing research center, located at partner, Endicott Interconnect Technologies, in Endicott, New York.

More information and registration is available at: http://www.wtsn.binghamton.edu/coned/fe10main.htm

GreeningUSA Launches 12 Traits© Community Rating System

Beta Test and Public Comment Period in Syracuse

GreeningUSA has launched its 12 Traits© Community Rating System Beta Test Self Assessment Manual and Public Comment Period.  Read the Syracuse Post-Standard  story

The 12 Traits© is a comprehensive system to determine the overall sustainability of an existing city, town, village or county. It is the most comprehensive rating system developed for communities to measure their successes, and to make sense of how to prioritize future initiatives in their move to become truly sustainable. The City of Syracuse has signed on as the first beta tester, and the organization is currently seeking other communities, organizations and individuals to become involved in one of three ways:

1. Public Comment Period – is open until September 30, 2010. Read and review the 12 Traits© Self-Assessment manual and give us your constructive feedback.
2. Community Beta Testers - are being sought to complete the self-assessment by the end of this year.
3. Expert Virtual Committees – are being formed by those with specific expertise in any of the 12 Traits.

To download a copy of the 12 Traits© Self-Assessment Manual, please visit the GreeningUSA web site at www.GreeningUSA.org

To become a Community Beta Tester or to volunteer to serve on an Expert Virtual Committee, please email the 12 Traits© Program Manager, Peter Arsenault, at 12traits@greeningusa.org

State Climate Action Plan enters public input phase

Plan Focuses on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Adapting to Climate Change

The New York State Climate Action Council outlined the process for the development of the State Climate Action Plan at meetings this month at the NYS Public Service Commission.  Governor David A. Paterson signed an Executive Order setting a goal of reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of their 1990 levels by 2050. The executive order created the Climate Action Council and directed it to prepare a draft climate action plan that will assess how all economic sectors can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, and identify the extent to which such actions support New York's goals for meeting energy demands.

The draft climate action plan is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 1. Release of the draft plan will be followed by a three-month public comment period.

More information is available at The NYS Climate Action Council webpage which includes a
climate action plan list server to be notified of future meetings and other events.

Hot, hazy summer days ...

It's the hot, hazy days of summer.  Air quality on your mind?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting daily air quality. It was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale; the higher the AQI value, the greater the health concern. When levels of ozone and/or fine particles are expected to exceed an AQI value of 100, an Air Quality Health Advisory is issued alerting sensitive groups to take the necessary precautions.

Here is the quick reference guide for New York State's Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast and Current Observations:

• Air Quality Forecast
• Air quality measurements

The Air Quality Forecast displays the predicted maximum Air Quality Index value for eight Air Quality Health Advisory regions in New York State. It also displays the observed maximum values for the previous day. DEC's Air Quality Health Advisory regions.  Air quality measurements from the DEC's statewide continuous monitoring network are updated hourly where available. Parameters monitored include ozone, fine particulate, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, methane/nonmethane hydrocarbons, and meteorological data.

DEC REPORTS: 15,000 Spills Tackled, 39 Major Cleanups Completed, $21 Million Recovered

Annual Remediation Report Highlights Progress Across New York

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) tackled 15,000 spills across the state, completed major cleanups of 39 large-scale contaminated sites and collected nearly $21 million in fines and reimbursements related to cleanups in the 2009-10 fiscal year, according to a report recently released.

DEC's "Environmental Remediation Annual Report" also documents more than 5,000 petroleum and chemical storage facilities that were registered and licensed, expanded cleanups of former manufactured gas plants, and an initiative launched to clean up abandoned underground fuel storage tanks using federal stimulus money. The report covers sites under the agency's Superfund, brownfield, spill, vapor intrusion, manufactured gas plant, and other remedial programs.

Report highlights include:

• Superfund Sites: Not only were cleanup actions completed at 27 sites, but also remediation progressed at another 123 sites in fiscal 2009-10. To date, New York has completed 1,490 Superfund cleanups, with 878 sites underway.
• Brownfield Sites: Under this program, which works to encourage private developers to remediate and rehabilitate abandoned industrial sites, 12 major cleanup actions were completed. Another 50+ sites made significant progress, from conducting initial investigations to carrying out interim remedial measures.
• More than 15,000 spills were addressed, with DEC compelling polluters to pay costs in 97 percent of the cases. (To see a regional breakdown of the Spill Resource Program , visit the DEC website.
• More than 5,000 petroleum and chemical storage facilities were registered and more than 6,000 inspected. Registrations and inspections are akin to preventive maintenance measures that help DEC stay on top of storage facilities to limit the damage from leaks and spills. To view the Bulk Storage Programs 2009/2010 Progress and Statistics please visit the DEC website. 
• Stimulus Funds for Cleanups: DEC began to utilize $9.2 million provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to remediate dozens of leaking underground petroleum storage tanks across the state.
• DEC collected more than $16 million in reimbursements from parties responsible for contamination at Superfund sites, in addition to oversight costs collected for the administration of other remedial programs.

For more information: Access DEC's searchable database of environmental remediation sites on the website. To locate and map remedial sites in New York through DEC's mapping gateway visit the DEC website.

NYSERDA and NYSDOT announce transportation funding

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced funding of $1.6 million for seven cost-shared research projects that reduce congestion and petroleum fuel use and increase the efficiency of New York’s existing transportation systems.

These funds will support the development and demonstration of advanced technologies to ease traffic congestion while enhancing the State’s economy and quality of life.  The investment, which includes $800,000 of federal funds, will leverage an additional $1.4 million of private-sector funds to provide a total of $3 million of investments.
 
In spite of a world-class, energy-efficient downstate transit system, New York State is currently dependent on petroleum for a majority of its transportation needs.  In 2008, the State’s transportation sector was responsible for 76 percent of petroleum consumption and 39 percent of greenhouse gas production, the single largest sector in either category.  (http://www.nyserda.org/Energy_Information/fastfacts.pdf)


The projects include:

• Real-Time Traffic Monitoring on I-87 Northway (Albany to Clinton Counties) $790,736. 
  
• Smart Roadside Inspection System (Rensselaer County) $373,490.
• Community-Wide Ride Sharing Program (Tompkins) $179,000.
  
• Advanced Traffic Control Signals (Nassau County) $325,818.  
• Traffic Management Study of I-87 Major Deegan Expressway (Bronx County) $143,722. 

Each of the projects were selected competitively through NYSERDA’s Program Opportunity Notice process and are funded with federal and state DOT funding and NYSERDA Transportation R&D Funds.  More information is available at http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1554pon.pdf

National Grid and NYSERDA launch hospital energy savings program

Program to help hospitals cut energy costs by as much as 20 percent launched today at SUNY Upstate Medical University 

National Grid and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority today launched “Energy Efficiency For Health,” a powerful new partnership to help National Grid’s hospital customers across New York State reduce their energy usage, save on operating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of electricity and natural gas.

Under the new initiative, National Grid and NYSERDA will work together to provide hospitals with individualized and targeted technical assistance as well as up to $10 million in funding for energy efficiency initiatives that will generate as much as $5 million in annual energy savings.

Upstate University Hospital, the teaching hospital of SUNY Upstate Medical University, which has already instituted a number of energy-savings initiatives, is the first hospital in Upstate New York to participate in the energy efficiency cost-saving program and kicked off the event at its facility in Syracuse

Energy savings support will be offered for lighting, heating, cooling, insulation, retrocommissioning, data center operations, and other energy-intensive operations.

“Energy Efficiency For Health” brings together the program and technical resources of National Grid and NYSERDA to work collaboratively to identify energy efficiency opportunities for New York State hospitals, provide hands on account management, and assist hospitals through the design and implementation of sustainable, cost reducing, energy efficient measures and practices. Customized lists of energy efficiency measures will be developed and prioritized based on payback on investment, a phased implementation plan and customer goals as they relate to advancing critical care practices.

“Upstate Medical University and Upstate University Hospital are delighted to be Upstate pioneers in this venture with National Grid and NYSERDA,” said Upstate President David R. Smith, M.D. “We have made significant strides in becoming a more energy-efficient employer and look forward with our National Grid-NYSERDA partnership to creating even greater savings and efficiencies through this program.”

About 75 to 100 of the largest hospitals across New York State in National Grid’s service area were selected to participate in “Energy Efficiency For Health” based on hospital type, size, number of beds and relative age. Prior project activity in energy efficiency programs was considered as well. The hospital initiative includes electric and gas energy efficiency programs.

“Energy Efficiency For Health” consists of four main components:

• Technical Assistance Studies for hospitals interested in identifying their energy efficiency options.
• Energy Efficiency Incentives for retrofit and new construction projects to off-set the cost of energy efficiency improvements.
• Customer Installation Support to provide participating hospitals with a complete package that addresses all energy related issues critical to their facilities’ operation.
• Outreach, Education, and Marketing to recruit hospitals into the initiative.

To participate in the program, hospitals can call 1-866-774-8818. For additional information, customers can visit http://www.nyserda.org/HealthCare/default.asp.

Pictured above:  SUNY Upstate Medical University is Central New York’s largest employer and the area’s only academic medical center, training medical professionals, conducting biomedical research and providing patient care through its teaching hospital, Upstate University Hospital, the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and an extensive network of specialty clinics, including the area’s only trauma center, burn center and poison center. Upstate is part of the State University of New York.

NYSERDA's Environmental Research and Development program seeks assistance.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is searching for individuals/organizations to aid to the outreach and science policy communication element of their Environmental Research and Development program. The program's main goals include providing policy makers with scientifically credible and objective information on the environmental effects of energy production and the development of cost effective and equitable policies to protect New York State's public health and environment.

NYSERDA is offering as much as $700,000 in funding and is looking specifically for individuals/organizations to provide the program with science-policy writing and/or outreach services.

Proposals are due by August 30th 2010 at 5pm.
For more information visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/1958rfp.asp  or contact Amanda Stevens at 518-862-1090 Ext. 3325.

Patchwork Collective

Patchwork Collective has an economic, social and environmental vision for the construction/ deconstruction of buildings in Central New York. Based at The Tech Garden incubator in Syracuse, NY, Patchwork specializes in the site-specific design of components from deconstructed buildings to either be used in the revitalization of decaying buildings or in the construction of new ones. Patchwork’s services offer a solution to both recycling building materials as well as the revitalization of run down urban areas. Aside from designing, Patchwork collective offers services to virtually everyone involved in the lifecycle of a building (owners, contractors, suppliers and architects) to seamlessly fit reused building components into the process.

Although Patchwork Collective is still in the process of business plan development, they are on track to become a non-profit social enterprise and have already been working on some very interesting projects, ranging from the fabrication of bike racks from Onondaga County’s plentiful supply of used radiators to a façade renovation project in N. Syracuse.

Patchwork Collective is the brainchild of three Syracuse University Students, Cameron Lassiter, Jimmy Brunner and Paulina Kernacova.

For more information about Patchwork Collective visit their website at http://patchworkco.wordpress.com/ or follow them on twitter at http://twitter.com/patchwork_ed.

(pictured above is Cameron Lassiter)

Attention Onondaga County residents and businesses.

The Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) board of directors voted yesterday to add No. 5 plastic containers to its list of mandatory recyclables. No. 5 containers are the wide mouth plastic tubs that are commonly used to house products such as yogurt, butter and cream cheese. Such containers can now be put into the blue bins for roadside pickup.  The addition will save an estimated 500 tons of NO. 5 plastics from being burnt at OCRRA's waste-to-energy plant in Jamesville, NY.


For more information visit OCRRA's website at http://www.ocrra.org/

GE's Ecomagination Challenge

Do you have ideas for the improvement of our current power grid? GE announced yesterday an open challenge to businesses, innovators, entrepreneurs and students to share their ideas on how to build the next-generation power grid. The GE Ecomagination Challenge gives entrants the opportunity to develop a business relationship with GE giving them access to GE's valuable networks/connections and up to $200 million in capital to help turn ideas into reality.

In cooperation with Emerald Technology Ventures, Foundation Capital, KPCB and Rockport Capital, GE is offering a total of $200 Million to the best ideas. GE is looking for submissions in three general categories: Renewable Energy, Grid Efficiency and EcoBuildings/Homes.

Ideas must be submitted to http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas?randomtokenforcache=1279133023028ecV9Z by September 30th, 2010.

For more information visit the Ecomagination Challenge webpage at http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas.

2010 Energy Materials Symposium

The Energy Materials Center at Cornell University is holding the 4th annual Energy Materials Symposium on August 12, 2010. Dr. Harriet Kung, the Associate Director of Science for Basic Energy Sciences (BES) of the US Department of Energy, will be featured as a keynote speaker. BES is the leading supporter of research in materials sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and physical biosciences in the nation.

The conference will also include talks from leaders in the energy storage field along with a reception/demonstration of research progress and time set aside for networking.

For more information on the Symposium along with information pertaining to lodging, directions and weather visit http://www.emc2.cornell.edu/news/story/dr-harriet-kung-confirmed-as-keynote-speaker-at-2010-energy-materials-symposium.html.

Blue Rain ECOfest

Mark your calendars for the weekend of July 30th/31st as the Northeast's only multi-day outreach sustainability fair, The Blue Rain ECOfest, is being held in downtown Syracuse. The goal of the fair is to present the public with a wide range of environmentally sustainable solutions to transform their lives, communities and environments. The fair will include exhibits by ten green entrepreneurs along with music, dance, food and vendors. Admission is free to the Blue Rain ECOfest and will take place in Hanover Square and the City Hall Commons Courtyard in downtown Syracuse.  For more information including the music lineup and exhibitor information visit http://www.bluerainecofest.org/index.htm.

Ithaca based company has the solution to environmentally degrading composites.

E2e materials of Ithaca, New York specializes in creating petroleum free wood-like composite materials out of other natural sources such as soy proteins and flax. Not only are e2e’s composite materials fully biodegradable, they are stronger, lighter and cost less than most composites currently on the market. E2e's composite can be used for a wide array of applications including automotive, sporting goods, furniture, cabinets and building materials.

E2e has recently announced plans to launch a new prototyping facility in Ithaca that will allow the company to be able to work with its customers to develop industry specific composite prototypes.

E2e was recently featured in the June 25th edition of the Sustainable Business Journal. The article can be viewed here.

For more information about e2e visit http://www.e2ematerials.com/

Funding opportunity for technical consultants.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is looking for a technical consultant to help the State of New York prepare for the upcoming Energy Assurance Plan. The plan is the result of a $1.98 million grant given to the State of New York through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and has goals to improve the understanding of New York State's energy sources/infrastructure, i.e. data resources to help predict disruptions and their potential effects, increase awareness of the opportunities /challenges posed by alternative energy sources and smart grid technology, analyze New York's energy vulnerability and improve strategies/protocols to enhance response and recovery from disruptions in the State's energy supply.

Proposals are due by August 23rd at 5pm ET.  For more information visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2062rfp.asp.  For technical questions contact Andrew Kasius: 518-862-1090 Ext. 3327

Portions of New York eligible for ARC energy grants

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has recently announced the fourth round of a grant competitionto assist communities in leveraging renewable-energy and energy-efficiency resources to revitalize their economies. ARC expects to provide seven to fifteen awards of up to $75,000 each, for a total of $545,000 in awards, to successful applicants.  Portions of NYS, including the Southern Tier and Central New York, are ARC communities.

ARC will fund two complementary activities as part of this grant competition: the development of community energy plans; and the implementation of a demonstration energy-efficiency or renewable-energy project in target communities.  Outcomes of funded projects could include:

• Preparation and adoption of a community energy plan by a local government jurisdiction.
• Implementation of a renewable-energy or energy-efficiency project such as:
• Production and/or use of renewable energy, including biofuels, biomass, solar, or wind energy, to include local siting of production facilities.
• Distribution of renewable energy, to include customer purchasing commitments.
• Expansion or start-up of "clean energy" businesses, including support for business incubation programs or targeted business financing programs.
• New construction or renovations that follow "green building" and LEED certification guidelines.
• Installation of energy-efficiency equipment in public or nonprofit facilities.

Nonprofit organizations, government entities, and public education institutions located within the Appalachian Region are eligible to apply. Private, for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply.

An independent review panel will evaluate applications. This panel will include leading energy-efficiency and renewable-energy organizations and federal, state, and local partners. The review panel will forward recommendations to ARC for approval.

Since the launch of the ARC Energy Initiative in 2006, the Commission has provided over $10 million for projects.  Information on featured projects is available on the ARC Web site.

Please visit www.arc.gov/energy for more information on ARC's energy activities.
2010 ARC Energy RFP: PDF Format (93 KB)

GreenView Energy Management Services

GreenView Energy Managment Services specializes in analyzing the energy use of large buildings. The company has created software that provides immediate energy feedback when connected to a buildings heating, cooling, electricity and gas systems. The feedback is then reported to the client along with personally tailored opportunities in energy reduction.

Although GreenView has been on the scene for only a year, the company has seen great success at Fort Drum and SUNY ESF with realized energy reductions of up to 20%.  In the coming years GreenView hopes to grow its client list exponentially and expand its headquarters in Central New York.

GreenView Energy Managment Services is one of The Clean Tech Center's NYSERDA clean energy incubator companies.

The story comes from the Central New York Business Journal and can be viewed online in its entirety here.

For more information about GreenView Energy Managment Services visit http://www.greenviewcorp.com/index.html.

NY-BEST in search of an executive director and support organization.

The New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology consortium (NY-BEST) announced today that it is searching for both an executive director and an organization to provide operational support.

Executive Director: The NY-BEST board of directors are looking for a full-time executive director to "accelerate the commercial introduction of energy storage technology in New York, build the human capital and expertise to sustain a vibrant commercial energy storage industry in New York, and leverage seed resources of approx. $25 million to create a sustainable organization that provides value to its members and to New York State."

Support Organization: The NY-BEST board of directors are looking for a "for-profit or not-for-profit entities that are experienced in delivering services in financial management, routine correspondence, membership, public relations, conference planning and website development"

Proposals for these positions are due September 1st, 2010 by 5:00 PM EST.  For more information about the qualifications/application process visit http://www.ny-best.org/SolicitationSummer2010

SUNY Oswego takes ESF's lead in adopting the PowAIR Sail wind turbine.

Following the announcement of SUNY ESF's plan to install a PowAIR Sail wind turbine on campus comes a similar announcement from SUNY Oswego. With its campus located on the windy shores of Lake Ontario, SUNY Oswego is an ideal location for the employment of the turbine. The PowAIR Sail will be located on the roof of Lee Hall and is planned to be installed later this summer.

The turbine, created by Syracuse-based Impact Technologies will provide the University with 10 kilowatts of electricity and is expected to pay for itself within the first 12 years of operation. The turbine represents SUNY Oswego's desire to reduce its carbon footprint and sets a great example for other Universities in the area/nation.

Impact Technologies is a portfolio company of The Clean Tech Center.

For more information on the SUNY ESF project see our june 25th post. (http://cleantechny.blogspot.com/2010/06/powair-sail-wind-turbine-to-be-employed.html)

For more information about Impact Technologies visit http://www.impact-technologies.com/.

Clarkson University establishes a new environmental institute.

Clarkson University has recently shown its commitment to environmental excellence by creating “The Institute for a Sustainable Environment.” The institute marks the creation of two new programs for undergraduate students:  Environmental Health Science and Environmental Science and Policy.

The Institute will double as an umbrella organization, housing the Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSES) and the Center for Air Resources Engineering and Science (CARES).

CSES unites faculty and scholars at Clarkson who are currently conducting research on renewable energy and uses their collective clout to gain national attention and receive funding. CARES brings together the expertise of air sampling/analysis, receptor modeling, atmospheric deposition and computational fluid dynamics to improve the scientific basis for air quality management. 

For more information please visit http://www.clarkson.edu/.

The future of American-made vehicles to take place in Central New York.

Can the future of American-made vehicles take place in Central New York? CenterState CEO and Bannon Automotive, LLC are doing everything thing they can to say yes. Bannon Automotive plans to invest $35.1 million to remodel/equip a former factory for the manufacture and assembly of Bannon’s “NXR” Electric Vehicle. To date, the plant will be one of the first of its kind in the United States and is expected to create 240 local full-time jobs over its first four years of operation.

The NXR is a fully electric, four-passenger plug-in vehicle that reaches top speeds of 65 mph and is capable of traveling as far as 100 miles between charges. With prices ranging from $17,000 to $25,000 the NXR is more affordable than its main competitors, the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

CenterState CEO is currently working hard to identify a regional supply chain for the electric vehicles components to bring further wealth and prosperity to the Central New York region.

For more information about Bannon Automotive, LLC visit http://www.bannonautomotive.com/.

The Beacon Institute's River and Estuary Network develops a real-time monitoring system for the upper Hudson River.

Between the years 1947 and 1977 approximately 1.3 million pounds of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) was discharged into the Hudson River from G.E.’s capacitor manufacturing plants in Hudson Falls and Fort Edwards, New York. PCB is a carcinogen that has been associated with low birth weight, thyroid disease and learning/memory/immune system disorders. Such large concentrations of the chemical have closed many commercial/recreational fisheries on the river and has caused significant bio-diversity loss.

In 2009 G.E. cooperated with the EPA to dredge a 6-mile section of PCB laden mud from the northern Hudson River at Fort Edwards. The project marked “phase 1” of the two-phase effort to completely rid the Hudson of PCB’s by 2016. The Beacon Institute’s “River and Estuary Network” (REON) stresses that it is crucial to consider the northern Hudson to be more than a dump/dredge site of PCB’s but instead an area with unique ecological, hydrological and chemical characteristics. REON feels that an understanding of such characteristics is important to successfully remove PCB’s and other pollutants from the river.

To monitor such characteristics, REON has worked closely with G.E. to develop an advanced monitoring platform named B2. B2 employs technology to collect and transmit data pertaining to suspended particles, oxygen levels, salinity, flow speed, temperature, barometric pressure and chemical detectors. G.E. has its own chemical monitoring stations in the region that can be paired seamlessly with B2’s sediment data to understand how pollutants are distributed throughout the river.

Clarkson University is leading research in this area.  B2’s real-time data is publicly available at http://serf.clarkson.edu/cgi-bin/tipool/final_tipool_1.htm.