North Adams Transcript Article

MoCA lands $700,000 green grant from trust
North Adams Transcript | July 6, 2006
Jennifer Huberdeau, Transcript Staff

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is going green with the help of a $700,000 grant from the Renewable Energy Trust. The grant will provide for a new 50 kilowatt solar installation, energy efficiency equipment and an interactive display to educate visitors about the benefits of clean energy.

"They have been interested in renewable energy for years. We've been talking with them for many years, because they have been interested in our Green Buildings and Infrastructure Grants," said Warren Leon, Renewable Energy Trust director. "We've been working with the museum and state Rep. Daniel Bosley to find the best possible plan, which would make sense for the museum and for the greater good of renewable energy in Massachusetts."

Solar installation

He said the 50-kilowatt solar installation will generate enough electricity to power seven average households, about 53,000 kilowatts per year.

Joseph C. Thompson, the museum's executive director, said high energy costs have hurt the non-profit, but grants such as this one are a way to help reduce the budgetary line item for utilities.

"On one hand it's a drop in the bucket compared to the amount of energy we use each year, but on the other hand on a hot summer day, when we're at peak demand, it will reduce the load by increments," he said.

Over the past year, the museum's utility costs have skyrocketed as prices have continued to increase.

"It's really hurt. Our budget has not gone up as much as the energy costs have. Our costs have tripled. Usually, we would have costs of about $100,000 to $200,000 a year. Now its $600,000 or more. It's our largest line item by far," Thompson said. "I believe costs are going to continue to increase. It is essential for our survival to gain control over our energy future. I hope this the first step of several for the museum."

The award was announced Wednesday morning in Westborough by Massachusetts Technology Collaborative Executive Director Mitchell Adams. The organization oversees the Renewable Energy Trust.

"This grant will lead to new clean energy generation at Mass MoCA, and it will help us spread the message that clean energy is working in Massachusetts. The Renewable Energy Trust has made major commitments to hundreds of solar, wind, hydroelectric and other clean energy projects that are creating new jobs, while leading to a healthier environment and a more secure energy future," Adams said in a release.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Joe Thompson and Mass MoCA for this ground-breaking initiative to introduce energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to the museum," said Bosley, a North Adams Democrat, in a release. "(The collaborative) recognizes that Mass MoCA serves as a center of innovation in the Northern Berkshire community and the introduction of solar photovoltaic cells at the museum will serve as a demonstration project for the entire commonwealth on the uses and cost savings that energy efficiency and renewable energy resources can provide to residents, businesses and non-profit organizations."

As part of the grant, the museum will undergo a conservation audit to address several items, as well as create an education program about the ongoing renewable energy efforts.

"It's prosaic. It's almost impossible for us not to have conservation issues. One example is the production equipment for our hot and cold water to heat and cool the building. Our distribution and control aspects are quite inefficient," Thompson said. "We have multiple pumps pushing rivers of hot and cold water, when we instead should have a very small number. We really need to focus on our distribution, control and HVAC systems."

He said other issues that need to be addressed include fans that help circulate fresh air into the buildings.

"Right now, our fans have two settings, on and off. Just installing variable speed fans will make us many times more energy efficient," Thompson said.

He said the museum will create displays explaining the how and why items like photovoltaic cells reduce energy consumption, as well as on other renewable resources.

"Everybody knows in the pit of their stomach that energy efficiency is a huge issue in drafty old buildings like ours. We look forward to showing the public that even these 140-year-old buildings can be made energy efficient with new technology and sustainable energies," Thompson said.

Mass MoCA previously received $59,000 in trust funding for educational wind energy art activities at its Kidspace gallery and for an energy site analysis. Art by schoolchildren who visited the gallery was featured in the 2005 Windspirations calendar.

The Renewable Energy Trust was established to generate the maximum economic and environmental benefits from clean energy resources for the commonwealth. It has funded more than 500 clean energy projects across Massachusetts.