 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
In this issue:
Round 4 Large Onsite Renewables Initiative Projects Announced
Twenty-seven new projects with the potential to generate 18 megawatts of clean energy have been awarded design and construction funding through the Trust's Large Onsite Renewables Initiative (LORI). An additional 17 applicants have been awarded funding to study the feasibility of renewable energy projects at businesses, schools, and other sites. These new awards bring the total LORI award count to 140: 73 design and construction awards and 67 feasibility study awards. The initiative funds projects with a capacity greater than 10 kilowatts that use at least 25% of the electricity generated by the system onsite. Design and construction projects include L.S. Starrett Company's hydroelectric equipment renovation—which will generate 1,800 megawatt-hours per year, the Town of Hanover's 100-kilowatt wind turbine to be built at the wastewater treatment plant, and the new Matha's Vineyard Hospital's 44-kilowatt rooftop solar array. Feasiblity studies include Jordan Dairy Farm's investigation of using methane gas from their cows to produce bioenergy and the College of the Holy Cross's exploration of wind energy. Applications are now being accepted for Round 5. View the Round 5 solicitation>> View the complete list of Round 4 award recipients>> Trust Gives Boost to Small Hydropower MTC and the Trust have recognized the need for upgrades at small-scale hydropower projects whose generated power will be sold directly to the grid, such as the Webster and Essex facilities. The Trust designed the new Small Hydropower Initiative to help owners and developers finance such projects. We have worked with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to develop a solicitation that will encourage improvements that make hydropower generation facilities more fish-friendly and ecologically restorative. The Trust is offering construction grants, loans, and pre-paid contracts for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for projects that upgrade, rehabilitate, develop, or redevelop existing hydropower facilities. Projects that will have nameplate capacity between 100 kW and 30 MW and from which at least 75% of the energy generated will be fed directly to the grid are eligible for funding; projects resulting in benefits to riverine ecology will be favored. The Trust has reached out widely to encourage applications for funding, and expects to receive proposals by December 21. (View the solicitation.) Last winter, the Trust received two unsolicited proposals for projects to improve small wholesale hydropower facilities. Both projects enable increased power production while providing environmental benefits. One proposal was from Webster Hydroelectric Company, which owns a small facility on the French River. MTC awarded a $125,000 grant for Webster to replace one of two over-sized turbines with a smaller turbine that is better suited to run-of-river operations. The expected incremental output will more than double the facility’s recent average production, while allowing a more natural flow regime in the river.
Rebates from Small Renewables Initiative Spurring Clean Energy Installations across Massachusetts Approximately 1.7 megawatts of clean energy have been installed as a result of rebate offerings through the Trust's Small Renewables Initiative. Since April 2005, Massachusetts homeowners, small businesses, and public entities have enjoyed the benefits of rebates for the installation of renewable energy projects that are up to 10 kilowatts. A total of $7.5 million has been awarded to projects in more than 200 communities. Twenty installers across the state are now supporting the installation of these systems. Learn how to apply for a rebate by following the step-by-step instructions on the MTC website.
Three New Clean Energy Companies Receive SEED Awards Ocean Renewable Power Company; Fall River, MA
GreenRay, Inc.; Lincoln, MA FreeGreen, Inc. Charlestown, MA Maine to get first tidal turbine test Energy source may be down on farm; Mass. plant will make natural gas from coal New England Clean Energy Council launches GreenRay grabs funding; looks to grow in Bay State Nauset High generates turbine plan To unsubscribe from Watts News, please email wattsnews@masstech.org. For additional free subscriptions to the newsletter and other periodic announcements from the Trust, please email that address or visit our registration page. |
The second proposal came from Essex Company for a project at the historic 900-foot wide Great Stone Dam on the Merrimack River in Lawrence. Aided by a $1.1 million grant from MTC, Essex Company is now replacing the old wooden flashboard system for raising the impoundment with an inflatable crest gate system. The wooden flashboards were designed to break during high flow to prevent upstream flooding, and often take a long time to repair after the high waters have passed. The new automated system will allow rapid raising and lowering of the crest gate in response to high water conditions, saving on average 4,500,000 kWh of electricity production per year that would otherwise be lost to low headpond levels. In addition, the new system will avoid downstream turbulence that interferes with the passage of fish at the dam—critical for the migration of shad, Atlantic salmon and other species. The project will also benefit recreation on the Merrimack, improve the operation of upstream drinking water intakes, and reduce the need for hazardous repairs.