Where we are and where we are going.....Stay connected
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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
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A New (Green) Leaf
The start of a new year is always an opportunity to turn over a new leaf, re-dedicate ourselves to our mission, and find optimism in our hopes for the future. You have heard me say many times that I am proud of Green Energy Ohio’s ability to pivot to the new normal since last March, even to the point of a virtual 20th Anniversary Celebration, and we’re going to be building on that work in 2021. Although what lies ahead this year is uncertain, there is considerable cause for hope: Namely, vaccines that hold the promise of ending this pandemic and public leaders focused on combating climate change and promoting clean energy.
The Biden Administration has already demonstrated its commitment to addressing issues that GEO and its supporters believe are critical to our shared future. The team that President Biden has put in place to address the multitude of interrelated climate issues is impressive, recognizing the importance of infrastructure, investment in research and development programs, and tackling the issue of environmental justice. Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord is an important first step; however, we should not underestimate the difficulty of enacting policies that will allow the U.S. to meet its obligations under the agreement. Surveys consistently show that the majority of the American people know that climate change is real and want the government to act sooner rather than later. It’s time that elected officials at all levels of government began to reflect their constituents’ views. Throughout the year, GEO will continue to educate officeholders and advocate for policies that support a clean energy economy.
One of the most exciting areas of growth is clean transportation. I'm sure you've heard that GEO is hosting a week-long statewide Electric Vehicle Tour later this year. We have assembled a great planning team that includes partners such as Clean Fuels Ohio, regional Drive Electric Ohio Chapters, the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition, Rural Action, and the Drive Ohio program within the Ohio Department of Transportation. You will start seeing more details on the event soon, as well as a continuing series of articles about vehicle electrification in our newsletter and on our website.
In early 2018, after going on the road to meet with GEO members and supporters, we issued a report titled: “The End of the Road, The Start of the Journey.” Well, GEO is going on the road again this year, and I look forward to having all of you along for the ride!
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Jane Harf, Executive Director
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NEW EVENT COMING UP IN FEBRUARY!
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Two years ago, Green Energy Ohio started our own online version of a “Climate Change Book Club,” because we know that education is a crucial tool in our fight to address the climate crisis. GEO’s Book Club, housed on Facebook, now has grown to over 200 members. As we begin 2021, we are introducing a new, more interactive format for our Book Club Members: Quarterly virtual conversations about climate-focused books with special guests!
For our first meeting on February 24th, the Book Club will be joined by our event co-host, Citizens Climate Lobby Cleveland, to discuss Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore by Elizabeth Rush. Because book clubs in non-COVID times often involve tasty beverages as well, we’ll be joined by Cleveland Whiskey, an Ohio-based distiller, who will stir up specialty themed cocktail and mocktail recipes.
One of GEO’s many New Year’s resolutions is to explore new ways of engaging our members and supporters. We also know that many of you have personally resolved to read more books in 2021. So let’s both check one of the resolutions off our list together, in a fun and interactive way where we can discuss interesting climate-related reads!
These events are open to Book club members only, so be sure to sign up and join the group today to catch all of our event announcements!
Climate, Cocktails, & Conversation
Wednesday, February 24 at 7:00 PM
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With every significant rain event, and every record-breaking hurricane, it grows clearer that climate change is neither imagined nor distant—and that rising seas are transforming the coastline of the United States in irrevocable ways.
In Rising, Elizabeth Rush guides readers through some of the places where this change has been most dramatic, from the Gulf Coast to Miami, and from New York City to the Bay Area. For many of the plants, animals, and humans in these places, the options are stark: retreat or perish in place.
Weaving firsthand testimonials from those facing this choice with profiles of wildlife biologists, activists, and other members of these vulnerable communities, Rising amplifies the voices of those who are on the front lines of climate change in this country.
FINALIST FOR THE PULITZER PRIZE IN GENERAL NONFICTION
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD
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Energility: An Energy Firm Moved by Faith and Family
by Courtney VanHuffel
In 2015, Energility was founded on the belief that everyone deserves an energy manager. With a collaborative and innovative team, their work is dedicated to helping all their clients in energy management. The firm began by consulting for houses of worship. Their clientele quickly expanded to include other nonprofits, small businesses, and commercial enterprises. Today, Energility is even consulting with small factories that are often overlooked by the industry.
Energility works personally, collaboratively, and transparently with clients. Their first step of service is to perform an energy audit to assess areas of potential improvement. They understand that the energy audit will include large capital expenses and low cost operational improvements, which would form the basis for an Energy Plan. Energility meets with the client to discuss their goals and motivations. Energility believes it's crucial to “meet clients where they’re at,” and tailor their plan of action to the goals of the client. Finally, Energility helps design and engineer this plan into reality, keeping engaged with clients afterwards to ensure long-term success and satisfaction with their work.
These grassroot heroes that make up the Energility team are devoted to their mission and being there for their clients.
Read the rest of the Energility spotlight here.
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As we prepare for our Electric Vehicle Tour this year, we are finding an incredible amount of information on their manufacture, sale, and use. In order to make that information easily accessible in advance of the GEO EV Tour, we will be creating a special section on our website and continue to send updates in our newsletter.
The electric vehicle industry has a language all its own, with acronyms that rival the federal government. Here are a few:
- EV (Electric Vehicle): A broad category that includes all vehicles that are fully powered by Electricity or an Electric Motor.
- BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle): Also known as an “all-electric” vehicle, a BEV utilizes energy that is stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs sustain their power through the batteries and must be plugged into an external electricity source in order to recharge.
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PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): A PHEV is a combination of an all-electric vehicle and internal combustion engine vehicle. PHEVs contain a battery that can be charged with an external electric power source.
- PiV (Plug-in Vehicle): A blanket term for any vehicle with a plug socket, including BEVs and PHEVs.
- HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): An HEV utilizes a dual system of electric propulsion and an internal combustion engine, but does not plug in.
- FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle): An EV that uses a hydrogen fuel cell to power its electric motor.
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ZEV (zero-emissions vehicle): A ZEV has no tailpipe emissions. These include battery electric vehicles and hydrogen vehicles (fuel cell vehicles).
- Level 1 Charging: Charging an EV using a common household outlet up to 120v. Level 1 is the slowest method of charging and can take up to 24 hours or more to full charge.
- Level 2 Charging: Charging an EV at 240v using an installed outlet. Depending on the EV model and charger, Level 2 can charge a vehicle five times as quickly as Level 1.
- Level 3 Charging: Also known as DC charging, it is the fastest method of charging for all EVs. It can fully charge an EV battery in about half an hour.
- And, of course, the ever-present Range Anxiety: Worry or stress that is caused due to the fear that an electric car will run out of battery power before the destination is reached.
Currently, there are 19 battery-electric vehicle models available in the US, 26 total including model alternatives. They vary in price from $30,000 to $104,000 and in range between 110 and 402 miles. There are 30 plug-in hybrid vehicles on the US market from 18 manufacturers ranging in price from $25,000-$165,000. BMW leads the list with five different models. And there are more than 50 new EVs expected on the market by 2022. Next month, we will introduce you to some of the newest EVs on the drawing board and in various stages of production.
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The Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition is the nation’s oldest nonprofit fuel cell support organization, founded in 2000, the same year as GEO. The Coalition was established to ensure Ohio’s presence both regionally and nationally in fuel cell discussions and works to:
- Build upon existing industry and academic strengths of research and development, advanced manufacturing, advanced materials technologies, components, and services to advance the integration of a coordinated, robust fuel cell infrastructure and supply chain.
- Promote public awareness about the positive role fuel cell technology can play as an efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible source of energy in a wide variety of applications.
- Expand networking and information sharing opportunities that lead to greater alliances and understanding of the economic opportunities available to Ohio organizations.
- Encourage federal funding that will leverage state resources in the development of fuel cell technology and the locating of commercial development, manufacturing assets, and job creation in Ohio.
Recognizing the potential of fuel cell research, development and application, its founding members included the NASA Glenn Research Center, Case Western Reserve University, the Ohio Department of Development, Libby-Owens-Ford, and NexTech (now Nexceris) – a true public private partnership. Today, the organization has over 25 members in business, government and academia. Their annual Symposium has become a premier gathering for exchange of information in the fuel cell sector. Fuel cells were included as both advanced and renewable energy sources under the Alternative Energy classification scheme in Senate Bill 221 in 2009. With many companies in Ohio in the fuel cell supply chain, it’s safe to say that all fuels cells manufactured in the U.S. contain Ohio components.
Fuel cell use spans the range of mobile and stationary applications, from cars and buses to forklifts and drones. The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) in Canton has the third largest fuel cell bus fleet in the nation. With a range of 250 miles and a refilling time of 6-8 minutes, the hydrogen fuel cell bus provides public transit options that save money and eliminate toxic emissions.
Similar to battery-powered electric vehicles, the most challenging issue for fuel cells is the lack of refueling infrastructure. Plug Power is one of the leading suppliers of fuel cells for a range of vehicles and stationary applications, as well as hydrogen fueling systems. In 2016, Plug Power opened a service center in West Carrollton, Ohio responsible for parts and maintenance for GenDrive fuel cell units in the Midwest and GenFuel stations across the nation. The service center provides support to warehouses using Plug Power’s fuel cell forklift engines, including Walmart, Home Depot, and OFCC member Honda. Honda, one of three fuel cell vehicle manufacturers, has taken the opportunity to support hydrogen and fuel cell technology by using Plug Power fuel cell forklifts in its Marysville, Ohio, manufacturing plant.
GEO looks forward to working with the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition and its Executive Director, Pat Valente, on the statewide EV Tour.
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