E2Tech (Environmental & Energy Technology Council of ME) Forums & Events

21st Century Maine: Warmer, Wetter, Wilder (Tuesday, June 05, 2012)

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 20:00:00 GMT

21^st Century Maine:

Warmer, Wetter, Wilder

A roundtable discussion presented by

Clean Air/Cool Planet and E2Tech

and featuring the

Ambassador of Norway to the United States

Based in New England and established in 2000, Clean Air-Cool Planet (CA-CP) works collaboratively with campuses, communities, and corporations to pioneer and scale-up innovative solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions and preparing for climate change. Through civic engagement activities aimed at science centers, universities, the business sector, states, and local communities, CA-CP has built a strong, grass-roots-based network working to ensure that climate change becomes part of the local, state and national agenda. CA-CP’s mission is to accelerate the transition to sustainable communities through climate mitigation, adaptation planning, and effective climate policies.

Clean Air-Cool Planet has partnered with the Norwegian Embassy to bring a roundtable discussion on the effects of climate change to Portland. This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear perspectives from internationally-recognized experts on how climate change will affect Maine and how our communities may begin planning to mitigate damage. Can we adapt our infrastructure and manmade environments to withstand the predicted changes? The speakers want to hear the local perspective from our business, government and civic leaders an engage in a discussion about actions for the future.

His Excellency Wegger Chr. Strommen, Ambassador of Norway to the United States

Speakers:

Audun Rosland, Director of the Climate Department, Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency. “Global trends in extreme weather events. Managing risks, change and adaptation”
George L. Jacobson, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Ecology, and Climate Change, Univ. of Maine and Maine State Climatologist. “Climate variability in Maine, past and future”
Brooks Yeager, Executive Vice President for Policy, Clean Air-Cool Planet. “Adaptation in the Northeast and the Nation”

There is no fee for this event, but space is limited so registration is required.

E2Tech Networking Evening (Thursday, June 07, 2012)

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:30:00 GMT

Networking Event

HOSTED BY

Join your colleagues int he clean tech sector in Maine during this unique networking event. Refreshments will be provided.

Formed by Jim Boyle in 1996, Boyle Associates is an independent, Maine-owned environmental and land use consulting company. The firm specializes in wetland and stream delineation, vernal pool assessments, environmental permitting, environmental inspection, wetland mitigation, land use regulations, site evaluations, subdivision planning and design, and GIS technology. Clients include utility companies, engineering firms, private land developers, natural resource organizations, and cities and towns throughout Maine and New England.

The Avant Dance & Event Center is a multi-purpose function space conveniently located close to the Maine Mall area and major highways.

June 21st Forum - Tidal Energy & Maine’s International Growth Opportunity (Thursday, June 21, 2012)

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:15:00 GMT

TIDAL ENERGY

Maine's international Growth Opportunity

We’ve all marveled at the dramatic rise and fall of ocean tides in Maine’s bays and inlets. We have also heard of Maine companies working to harness power from ocean currents and how Maine is poised to be on the cutting edge of this renewable power source. We are no longer talking about the future, it has arrived! Maine is now the location of the first commercial tidal energy project in the United States, and is setting the standard for marine hydrokinetic development expertise, supply chain development, environmental monitoring, ocean energy regulatory reform, and research and development. Additionally, the Maine Public Utilities has approved the terms and conditions that will lead to the first long-term power purchase agreement in the United States for tidal energy.

Our panel will update us on how tidal energy is creating new economic opportunities for Maine companies and institutions in many sectors, how the technology overlaps with the wind power sector and magnifies the economic boost, and how Maine has the opportunity to export expertise into larger markets in Canada and abroad.

Panelists:

Steve Von Vogt,Managing Director, Maine Composites Alliance

The Maine Composites Alliances is the lead organization in the collaborative Maine Wind and Ocean Energy Initiative, of which E2 Tech is a partner. Steve will discuss Maine’s growing marine hydrokinetic industry supply chain expertise including examples of Maine companies providing R&D, manufacturing, and professional services to support tidal energy development inside and outside of the state. He will also summarize the results of the supply chain study that Maine Composites has done in collaboration with E2 Tech.

Elisa Obermann, Atlantic Director, Ocean Renewable Energy Group (OREG)

OREG is Canada’s tidal energy industry organization and plays the industry lead with government on creating a national tidal energy development roadmap. The center of action in Canada right now is the Bay of Fundy, which borders Maine. Elisa will discuss the industry growth trajectory in Eastern Canada, particularly in Nova Scotia, who the initial major players are, and suggest the cross-border business opportunities for companies and institutions in Maine that develop projects, provide supply chain services or engage in R&D.

John Ferland, Vice President for Project Development, Ocean Renewable Power Company.

In March ORPC “broke ocean” in the Eastport/Lubec area on the first commercial tidal energy project in the U.S. to be installed under the new FERC Pilot License guidelines. John will discuss the challenges of project siting, equipment deployment, the shoreside and utility interconnect, and obtaining a power purchase agreement. He will also outline the project’s pioneering environmental monitoring protocols and highlight the importance of the collaborative development relationship with the local communities and the statewide economic development impact of the project.