Sustainability Series Workshops

Sustainability Series Workshops 2000

Each Fall, NESEA hosts an annual series of workshops for both professionals and general consumers. It includes sessions on renewable energy and high-performance, green-building techniques. Following are brief descriptions and some photos from last year's series. Please contact Jonathan Tauer if you have any questions on these or future workshops in this series.

The year 2000 workshops were sponsored in part by the following companies:

Please click on the logos to find out more about these companies.

PV 101

Richard Gottlieb and Carol Levin of Sunnyside Solar gave a comprehensive overview of both grid-tied and battery-storage photovoltaic systems. This workshop could have easily been titled: "Everything you wanted to know about Photovoltaics but were afraid to ask." This full day workshop took a close look at NESEA's off-the-grid and grid-connected systems as well as presenting an overview on the basics of Photovoltaic technologies.

Interconnection of Net Metering Systems with the Utility Grid

This workshop began with a tour of the ASE Americas plant. Following was an informational session led by Chris Larsen of the North Carolina Solar Center, Bill Stillinger from Northeast Utilities, John Bzura from National Grid USA and Ed Kern from Ascension Technologies. They covered topics ranging from federal net metering standards to the latest advancements in interconnected systems. Discussion and Q&A played a large part in this workshop.

Energy Star Homes: Building Comfort into your new home

A variety of incentives and onsite technical support are available to help you build an Energy Star home- a home nationally recognized for greater value, lower operating costs, increased durability, comfort and safety. This free seminar, led by Bruce Harley of Conservation Services Group, presented an encompassing overview of the Energy Star Program.

Timber Framing

Timber framing is a traditional method of wood construction using wooden pegs and joinery to connect large timbers, rather than the many small pieces and nails used in conventional stud framing. Timber frame structures can last hundreds of years, and the life-cycle cost benefits make it an attractive alternative. Will Beemer, Co-Executive director of the Timber Framers Guild and Director of the Heartwood School for the Homebuilding Crafts, led this hands-on workshop. Learn more about the Heartwood School at http://www.heartwoodschool.com