NESEA's FOOTPRINT

NESEA is on a multi-year program to upgrade the energy efficiency of its building and generate clean renewable power for the building.

Solar Power

NESEA has two solar arrays powering its building totaling 3.425 KW of electrical power. Roughly 1.425KW is tied directly to the grid, with the remaining 2.0KW charging a battery back-up system. In 2008, with the help of Fat Spaniel Technologies, NESEA installed an energy monitoring system that monitors daily power generated as a percentage of total electrical power used. To see the power generated by the grid-tied panels, click here.

Lighting

NESEA replaced all lighting throughout its building in 2008 with high efficiency ballasts and fluorescent lighting.

Also in 2008, NESEA contracted to install a Honda Hydronic Freewatt co-generation system that would enable the building's heating system to generate electrical power when the building is heated. This co-generation system would provide 5,000 KwHr of electrical power. Unfortunately, the installation of the system was blocked by the local utility on the grounds that it would generate too much electricity and interfere with the utility's switching systems on the circular grid in place in downtown Greenfield. 

Computers and Appliances

In 2007, NESEA instituted a program of replacing traditional computer CPU's with remote terminals hooked directly to our server. The result is a significant drop in the plug load. We are currently upgrading traditional computer monitors with flat panel screens to further reduce our energy consumption. 

General Building Renovations

Building renovations in 2007 included the use of low VOC paints, flooring with a high-recycled content, and the use of harmful adhesives to lay floor coverings was prohibited.

Space Heating Upgrades

In 2006, NESEA replaced its traditional boiler with a high efficiency, low-temperature Peerless gas steam boiler.