Today is Giving Tuesday, a global campaign for philanthropy.  As part of your end-of-year planning, please consider supporting our programming to educate the public about how we enhance Maine's built environment. Donate here!

Join Earth Gives on Nov 30, 10 am - 1 pm for their Community Commons: Impact Makers learning series. Renee Myers, an expert with 25 years of experiences in conservation, will host the conversations about collaboration, donor outreach, and diverse community engagement.

Have an event day! On the morning of our winter social (Dec 6), join MaineBiz from 7:30 - 10:30 AM in Bangor to hear ideas and stories from six local business executives. Deb Neuman, President & CEO of the Bangor Regional Chamber of Commerce will moderate this event.

Register here to join ClimateWork Maine today for a lunch and learn webinar titled “Green Rush v. Green Wash: Sharing stories about climate & sustainability.” The session is free to members and $15 for others.

Haley Ward in Saco is hiring a Solid Waste Engineer and Project Manager / Senior Geologist. The organization is 100% employee-owned and was deemed one of the Best Places to Work in Maine in 2023. Learn more and apply via our job board.

As part of your end-of-year planning, please consider a contribution to support E2Tech's programming to education the public about how we enhance Maine's built environment. Donate here!

Woodard & Curran has moved their headquarters from Congress Street to Mountfort Street in Portland's East End. The new space includes an EV charging station and a "democratized space" to fit all work styles.

Perennial Renewables received a grant from the Central Maine Growth Council to support early-stage technology & innovation. The grant program provides funds to support existing operations and develop new business.

Register here to join ClimateWork Maine on Nov. 28th for a lunch and learn webinar titled “Green Rush v. Green Wash: Sharing stories about climate & sustainability.” The session is free to members and $15 for others.

The Maine Municipal Bond Bank is hiring a Program Assistant. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered, read more about the position and organization here.

The Maine Women's Fund is accepting applications for their advisory committee. Members will help guide strategy and grantmaking decisions, totaling $120K this fall. Fill out this online form by Dec 18th to be considered.

We want to extend our greatest appreciation to Paul Williamson for his service as our Programs Committee Chair. He will be stepping down and Vanessa Berry and Dale Knapp are taking his place in this leadership role.

Presque Isle is seeking feedback on their downtown redesign. The study is addressing pedestrian safety and alternate means of transportation, click the link for the email / phone to make your voice heard.

Central Maine Power received a $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office via the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships. The funding will accelerate implementation of smart grid technologies to reduce power outage impacts.

ReVision Energy announced their acquisition of Sunbug Solar in Massachusetts. Join them on Nov. 15th at 4 pm for a virtual question and answer session with ReVision and Sunbug leadership.

Register here to virtually join the Governor's Energy Office on Nov. 16th from 2-4 pm about planning efforts to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040 in Maine. This is their third meeting and they are seeking to engage the public and key energy stakeholders in the process.

Join the Maine Climate Council Energy Working Group meetings via Zoom on Nov. 8th from 2-4 pm and Nov. 21st from 10am-12 pm. The meetings will focus on reducing the energy sector's greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to climate change.

Apply for the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program for a 10 - 20 percentage point increase to the investment tax credit for qualifying projects. Wind and solar facilities serving affordable housing, in low-income communities, or on Tribal land may qualify.

Maine's forest bioproducts sector is set for growth due to a Federal "Tech Hub" designation thanks to hard work by Maine Technology Institute and the Mills Administration. This should lead to more federal R&D funding for natural polymers and other wood bioproducts. Join in person or on Zoom with the Mitchell Center on Nov. 6 to learn about growing Maine's Clean Energy Economy. Tagwongo Obomsawin, the Clean Energy Partnership Program Manager for the Governor's Energy Office, will speak to the importance of "workforce development and innovation." Apply for the Blue w(AI)ve Accelerator Program by Nov. 13th to optimize artificial intelligence in ocean based environments. The Gulf of Maine Ventures and Roux Institute are facilitating this 16 week program for early-stage companies. Register for a free online program on Nov. 8 with Randy Rich of Pierce Atwood and a collection of other experts to learn about the Hydrogen Hub concept. Panelists will be providing their perspective and discussing the concept. "Zero emission buildings" now have a better definition thanks to AIA, a national team, and White House Climate Policy Office. Timothy Lock, a management partner at Belfast design firm OPAL and a leader in AIA-Maine, played a key role.  Join the Gulf of Maine Research Institute on Nov. 29th in Portland to learn about Growing Maine's Blue Economy. Through this program, GMRI is addressing climate change impacts while supporting optimization of the seafood supply chain.

GrowSmart Maine received $600K+ in funding with half from the USDA: Rural Development and half from the American Farmland Trust for a 3 year program. Trainees from 10 municipalities will learn how to tackle environmental issues such as climate resilience, economic development, farm viability and farmland protection, and affordable housing in their community. Read more here.

Global Secure Shipping began work on a $3.9 million expansion projected to create 80 jobs in Old Town Maine. The company provides "a comprehensive, customizable cargo security solution" with their patented technology.

Some E2Tech members are called upon to help restore old structures while others are active in new construction. Both are being debated as the Portland Museum of Art explores an expansion project, with plans to demolish the old Children's Museum building next door. That building was originally constructed in 1830 as a theater and is classified as a "contributing structure" by the Portland Historic Preservation Board. See more details of the design on the PMA website.

Lastly, a luxury treehouse in Norway, Maine has been listed as one of five in the "Nelson Treehouse Experiences" in the US. The Woods Maine Treehouse is a unique glamping experiences with a full kitchen and fireplace elevated in the canopy. 

Efficiency Maine is reminding Maine firms that they can receive instant rebates of $4,500 on electric cars or pickups or $8,000 on electric commercial vans. The van rebate is for firms of all sizes; the car rebate is for firms owning 5+ vehicles. This is on top of the $7,500 federal tax credit. Details online.

We're pleased to announce that the Baxter Academy of Tech & Sci will be hosting our annual Winter Social on December 6. A Portland-based charter school with about 400 students, they play an important role in building the pipeline of prospective employees for firms in our community.

The Nature Conservancy-Maine was awarded a $605,000 grant from NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service to help restore habitats for endangered Atlantic salmon in Maine. Part of a multi-million dollar initiative, this round of funding is to complete the final engineering designs for the removal of the Guilford Dam and to restore the adjacent floodplain, which will reconnect habitat for Atlantic salmon in the Piscataquis River watershed. 

The Bigelow Lab in East Boothbay broke ground last week on their $30M Center for Ocean Innovation and Innovation which includes research labs, meeting space, and offices. It was designed by Harriman and the contractor is Consigli. Of the $30M, $12M came from the Federal government, $8M came from the Harold Alfond Foundation, and the reminder was individual and institutional philanthropy.

If you missed last week's announcement or the blurb in MaineBiz Daily Report on Oct. 13, E2Tech is pleased to share that Jacqui Baker has joined our team as our new Cleantech Policy and Program Manager and the successor to Rylee Ewald. Jacqui is a recent graduate of St. Lawrence University with a combined major in environmental studies and sociology, and enjoys rock climbing and has been skiing at Sunday River since she was four. Rylee is now managing education-related programming at GMRI.

E2Tech has held some great forums over the past year. Below you can find some of our most influential events, on timely topics affecting Maine renewable energy, environmental & clean technology markets. 

1. Achieving Maine's Climate Policy Goals - Learning from the Clean Energy Transition in Other States 

Maine has ambitious climate policy goals, greenhouse gas reduction targets and clean energy transition plans. There are many action items underway within the State through the Maine Climate Council, the Maine Public Utilities Commission and other efforts. In this forum, E2Tech compared programs throughout the New England region and in New York, to determine how other states are tackling this challenge.

2. 131st Maine Legislature -- Energy & Environmental Preview

We heard from leaders in the 131st Maine Legislature on their priorities for the session. Which direction will energy policy, environmental legislation such as mining and PFAS, and other matters of urgent policy concern, develop through the legislative session? What are the goals of legislative leaders and policymakers on both sides of the aisle, and how do they mesh with industry concerns?

3. Is Storage in Storage?

Construction of battery energy storage is essential to efficiently reach our renewable energy goals.  It is a necessary compliment to capture energy that is otherwise lost due to the variability of renewable energy generation, and would help reduce the use of high carbon emitting peaker plants in the New England energy grid. In this forum we provide a high level understanding of the benefits of BESS, and an overview of latest policy effort updates in Maine. While also discussing the market drivers needed for BESS to operate, and identify the current market/technical impediments, and possible solutions.

4.Securing Northeast Forest Carbon

In this presentation, we cover the role of forests in climate change mitigation, how forests sequester and store carbon as they grow, and the growing financial markets - both regulatory and voluntary - that are now available to forest landowners to "sell" their secured forest carbon.

5. Inflation Reduction Act: Identifying Opportunities for Maine

The Inflation Reduction Act offers unprecedented opportunities for everything from municipalities selling tax credits for cash to incentives for clean hydrogen, and new ways to access solar incentives. Hear from two leading national players in this market on what plans Maine companies & municipalities should be making now to make the most of the new programs.

6. And a bonus sixth forum, Sludge: A Spreading Concern. Following the detection of PFAS in farmland soil, agricultural products, and groundwater, attention in Maine has focused increasingly on the once common practice of land spreading industrial and wastewater sludge as a soil amendment. This forum discussed implications of banning sludge spreading on landfills (and many of the predictions from this forum have turned out to be correct).

Many of these forums were recorded and can be accessed by members. You can find them here. And our program committee is always working on the next idea that will solve problems, inform policymakers, and help set the future and advance Maine’s environmental & energy economy. 

Any E2Tech member can join the program committee, and your suggestions are always welcome.

E2Tech is pleased to welcome our newest Sustaining Partner, the Consulate General of Canada in Boston! 

The Consulate General of Canada in Boston covers the New England states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Consulate provides services for Canadians abroad in New England. Andrew Maker, Trade Commissioner for the Consulate, says that New England is a great opportunity for investors, and the market is fairly easy to transition into due to cultural similarities. Andrew focuses mostly on climate and cleantech companies looking to get more exposure throughout New England. 

The Consulate has a robust team of Trade Commissioners, including Andrew, helping Canadian businesses explore opportunities in the region, as well assisting American companies with expansion in Canada. These are free and confidential services. Aligned with Canada’s Climate Plan, the Trade Commissioner Service has dedicated programs and events throughout the region working to reduce climate change and introduce Canadian innovation. 

The Consulate in Boston is also host to a variety of Canadian Technology Accelerator programs, encouraging Canadian start-up business development through business introductions and local market intelligence in the region. These are often four to six month mentorship programs, with the overarching goal of solving the climate issue, while also creating economic wealth. These programs have successfully transitioned companies into the US market, while also supporting their long term growth. If you have general questions about the CTA program, you can email: cta-atc@international.gc.ca, or contact your regional TCS office. Check out the 2022 ClimateTech Dealbook here for last year's cohort. 

Updates from the Consulate can also be found on their Twitter. 

by Peregrine Turbine Technologies

Wiscasset, ME– November 16, 2022 – Peregrine Turbine Technologies (PTT) announces the World’s First start and run of a sCO2 Brayton Cycle Turbine powered from phase change thermal energy storage.  This breakthrough enables greater penetration of renewable energy sources and accelerates the transition to clean energy.

Successful Motorless / Black Start

The November 17, 2022, successful test run was a motorless/black start of the Peregrine II 5.5:1 pressure ratio Turbopump using stored energy from PTT’s Thermal Energy Storage System. PTT’s first of kind Turbopump is the key component in Peregrine’s patented modular, high efficiency, high power density, energy conversion cycle.

PTT’s breakthrough energy technology has applications to nuclear, concentrated solar thermal, biomass, and fossil energy conversion systems.

The November 16 successful test run achieved these notable breakthroughs:

• Successful Operation of Gen. II Peregrine sCO2 Turbopump. (PTT’s Gen I has over 500 hours of operation and testing at Sandia National Laboratories)
• Successful quick-stop (2 seconds) shutdown of sCO2 system. Prior shutdown testing was 1 minute 50 seconds.
• Successful demonstration of early-stage control and data collection system.
• Commencement of the Company’s Proof of Concept (POC) Testing Campaign validating its commercial level components and system

PTT test system is the highest performance sCO2 engine loop currently existing in the world.

The testing campaign is the final step in preparing the Company’s advanced technology for Commercial demonstration in an active operating environment. This follows more than 3 years and 500 hours of successful testing of it sCO2 engine at Sandia National Laboratories’ Brayton Test Laboratory in Albuquerque, NM.

The test was also the WORLD’S FIRST start and run of a sCO2 Brayton Cycle Turbine powered from Miscibility Gap Alloy (phase change) thermal energy storage. PTT has received awards from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), the Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) in support of its leading development of Brayton cycle sCO2 gas turbine development for energy conversion.

The Company has developed strong collaborations and working relationships with key suppliers that supplement the Company’s own resources.

About Peregrine Turbine Technologies:

PTT’s senior leadership team collectively has over 250 years of successful, demonstrated management of complex technologies, systems, products, and operations with Companies ranging from GE, Rolls Royce, Pratt and Whitney, Sundstrand, and Solar Turbines to Allied Signal, General Signal, Great Northern Paper Company, and American Capital.

Peregrine’s  breakthrough technologies are changing the landscape of power generation and long duration energy storage. The Company is uniquely positioned to meet the demands of future platforms for advances in clean energy storage and conversion with a total energy management system.

Peregrine’s  novel closed-cycle turbine engine and energy storage technology will demonstrate the world’s first economically viable alternative to grid-scale energy storage using Lithium Ion batteries. Its’ long duration energy storage (LDES) has 2X the life and is 1/3 the annualized cost of equivalent, current technology, Li-ion battery storage systems and without the toxic materials and associated reprocessing costs..

Peregrine is bringing clean, affordable, sustainable energy solutions to the energy disadvantaged and emerging societies as well as  making way for net-zero carbon goals to become reality for larger scale grids.

SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

Learn more at  www.peregrineturbine.com