The latest in Rhode Island energy news
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State announces initiatives to expand solar energy on brownfields and carports
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The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources announced last week a new set of initiatives to encourage solar carports and solar projects that are located on brownfields.
Brownfields — former industrial or commercial sites where future use is affected by environmental contamination — are often ideal locations for renewable energy projects. Starting March 11, 2019, solar PV projects that are sited on brownfields are eligible for financial incentives from the Renewable Energy Fund. One million dollars have been reserved for this initiative.
Solar carports — solar arrays typically installed over parking areas — help maximize the use of available space. One million dollars have been reserved in the Commercial Scale Renewable Energy Fund for solar carports. Applications for solar carports will start being accepted on June 3, 2019.
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Come to the RI Home Show and Energy Expo: April 4-7, 2019
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The 6th Annual RI Home Show and Energy Expo provides an opportunity for home owners to check out the latest in energy efficiency and renewable technology. You will have the chance to meet with installers and learn how you can reduce your energy bills, make your home more comfortable in all seasons and also go solar.
While you're there, visit a special exhibit called the
Zero Energy Home. See how building design has evolved over the past 50-years to create more energy-efficient homes that provide improved comfort and cost savings. The exhibit is made possible by National Grid and the Energy Efficiency Resource Management Council. Students from the Warwick Area Career Technical Center built the exhibit.
For more information about the state's energy programs, visit the Office of Energy Resources booth at the top of the escalator once you enter the show.
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Rhode Island advances offshore wind development
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The proposed Revolution Wind Farm -- a 400-megawatt, 50 turbine project planned at least 15 miles from the Rhode Island shoreline -- achieved another milestone when National Grid submitted its contract for the project to the Public Utilities Commission for review. This project represents a major step forward in Governor Raimondo's goal to increase the state's clean energy portfolio ten-fold by the end of 2020. Once constructed, the wind farm will generate approximately one-quarter of all the electricity used by Rhode Islanders annually. Read more at
https://www.ri.gov/press/view/35210.
Additionally, the Office of Energy Resources, the Department of Environmental Management and the RI Commerce Corporation all submitted their advisory opinions regarding the project to the PUC. These opinions may be found
here.
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Compass School awarded $500,000 energy efficiency grant
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The Compass School, a K-8 charter school in Kingston, has been awarded a $500,000 state grant to help improve the energy efficiency of a large building renovation project. With the help of these funds, the project will meet the RI Stretch Code – voluntary green building guidelines that help buildings use less energy, have less negative impact on the environment, and achieve higher levels of occupant health and comfort.
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Call for nominations: Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards
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Do you have a recent public sector clean energy or efficiency project worthy of recognition? If so, we want to hear about it!
The Office of Energy Resources is issuing a call for nominations for the 3rd Annual Lead by Example Clean Energy Awards.
These awards recognize state agencies, quasi-state agencies, municipal governments, and state colleges and universities for their significant contributions toward clean energy that advance Lead by Example goals, as set by Governor Raimondo in her December 2015
Executive Order.
To be considered for this award, download and complete the application below, answer the questions and submit it to OER by April 12, 2019 at 4:00 PM. Anyone may make project nominations. Please note that all projects MUST be at least 50% constructed.
The award ceremony will be held this spring. Watch your email for an invitation soon containing date and location details.
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Employers: Get paid to hire summer energy interns
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Are you an energy company looking to hire an intern this summer? If so, we have great news!
The Renewable Energy Fund and the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources want to match clean energy companies with RI undergraduate and graduate interns for the summer of 2019.
Companies that apply and are admitted to the program will be eligible for $12 an hour to compensate their interns (certain restrictions apply). Applications are due by April 12, 2019. For more information and to download an application, please click the link below.
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Company Profile: Specialty Diving Services
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We see builders all over Rhode Island working on roads, bridges and buildings. However, there is another type of builder we never see – those working in the depths of rivers, lakes, bays and the open ocean.
Nick Tanionos is CEO of Specialty Diving Services, an underwater construction company located at the Quonset Port and Commerce Park, North Kingstown, in the heart of Narragansett Bay.
“We do anything a construction worker would do on land, but underwater,” says Nick.
Read the full profile on our blog by clicking the button below.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
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April 15
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
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Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Sapinsley Hall, Providence RI
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April 18
3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
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Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, 2nd Floor, Conference Room 2B, Providence, RI
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Distributed Generation Board Meeting
Department of Administration, One Capitol Hill, 2nd Floor, Conference Room 2B, Providence, RI
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April 24
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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The Westin Copley Place,
10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA
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Revolution Wind Farm Evidentiary Hearings
Day 1 - Public Comment
Public Utilities Commission
89 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick, RI
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Foley Hoag, 155 Seaport Boulevard #1600, Boston, MA
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Botantical Center - Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI
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*Events are subject to change. Always check the event website for updated times, dates and location details before you attend.
Would you like to add your energy-related event to our calendar? Send the details and event URL to our editor at
robert.beadle@energy.ri.gov
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