Robert (Bob) Chew, founder of Alteris Renewables, is launching his own renewable energy consulting company! Here is his press release below:

Alteris Renewables founder Bob Chew starts new company
BRISTOL, RI, November 1, 2011 – Bob Chew, renewable energy entrepreneur has launched a consulting firm that provides creative strategies and solutions to clients exploring options in the ever emerging renewable energy field. R.W. Chew, LLC, DBA as R.W. Chew Consultants, based in Bristol, RI, focuses on offering expert guidance using best practice gained from 30 years in the renewable energy field, to individuals, businesses, municipalities, schools and government agencies seeking viable and cost effective energy choices.  “It is becoming increasingly difficult for the average consumer to navigate the growing number of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency options available today,” states Chew. The design, implementation, and integration of sustainable energy solutions necessitates the need for a long range plan or ‘road map’ that incorporates variables specific to a particular project. There is no one size fits all in the renewable and energy efficiency field. By generating designs, specifications and project oversight, the company functions much the same as an architect in the building industry.

R.W. Chew Consulting is already working with Bryant U. on a grant to help public high schools in Rhode Island determine what energy retrofits and renewable energy technologies can help them get as close to net zero as possible. View the press release shared on the Bryant U. blog.

I also had the opportunity to interview Bob about his new company and his lifelong experience working with renewables. [hide-this-part morelink="Click here to hear more about Bob and his new company"]

In your press release, you mention, “there is no one size fits all in renewable and energy efficiency field.” Where do you start in determining what might work in a given location for a particular client?

For wind turbines, it is wind speed, interconnection challenges and site conditions that include shadow flicker, noise, safety and view shed issues.  For photovoltaics on roofs, it is finding unshaded areas on flat or south facing roofs and confirming if the roof is in good condition and if the roof can handle the additional weight.  For hot water systems, we need to size the system to the amount of hot water used and if there are any seasonal issues such as a school where they don’t use hot water during the summer.  For wood chip boilers on commercial buildings, we need to make sure that there is room for the new boiler and that there aren’t any issues with tying this system into the existing heating system.  For methane digesters and geothermal systems, we have the same issues.  A common challenge is to determine which technology is cost effective due to many factors including the cost of the installation, O&M costs, incentives and grants.

NESEA advocates whole systems thinking in approaching renewable or energy efficiency issues. What does the whole systems thinking mean to you? Does this inform how you proceed in your work?

I received a degree in Environmental Science from New England College in 1973 and learned about whole systems and ecology.  As a consultant, I understand how the design of a new building has the opportunity to either have a minimum impact on the environment or have a very large impact is determined at the design stage and I look forward to consulting with clients and their architects or builders to make sure that the latest technologies and design strategies are incorporated.

In the 34 years you have been doing this work, what have been your great epiphanies? Have there been some mistakes, breakthroughs, events or conversations that have changed your practice? What were they?

I spend a lot of time looking ahead and have prided myself in foreseeing trends before the competition becomes aware of them. I have seen the solar energy industry grow rapidly under President Jimmy Carter and seen it disappear under President Reagan. Obviously, as I look back, this was a huge mistake and allowed our country to lose its monopoly in the solar industry.  I have also been involved in the rapid growth of the solar and wind industry, and wish that Washington would remove incentives to the fossil fuel and nuclear power industry and require that pollution from these technologies is properly accounted for.  What had bothered me is the focus on photovoltaics while other solar technologies such as passive solar design and solar hot air systems and solar thermal systems have been neglected by many of the larger solar companies in the country.  I’m also bothered by the many LEED certified projects that don’t take advantage of photovoltaics, solar hot water, solar hot air and passive solar design including isolated passive solar sunspaces. In my new business, I hope to revive and popularize some of these technologies such as solar hot air systems and isolated passive solar sunspaces.

Who do you look to continue learning in this field? Where do the new ideas come from? 

I have had the good fortune to know many of the experts in the renewable energy field and seek out their expertise as needed in my new company.  Currently, I have brought in Everett Barber as a consultant on a concentrating solar thermal project I am involved in.  Everett has extensive knowledge in solar thermal and his recent book titled “Converting Your Home to Solar Energy” is in my opinion the best book on solar energy that I have read.  I still read newsletter, books and magazines and attend as many trade shows as I can to keep abreast of the changes in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.

What advice do you have for emerging professionals in this field? 

I am asked by many students and people looking to get into the renewable energy industry what they should do.  First, I encourage them to enter into the field since it not only has a great future but it is such an important industry.  It also provides a great deal of satisfaction knowing that you are making a positive impact on the environment and helping our country move towards energy independence.  I strongly believe that you should do what you enjoy.  For many years, I was out in the field and loved the hard work and being outdoors and strongly encourage those who like working outdoors to become a green builder, solar installer or a plumber or electrician who specializes in the renewable energy field.  Some people love selling, designing or the engineering of renewable energy systems.  They need to find a niche where they can do what they love.  I have been lucky to have been able to spend over thirty years doing something that I love.

What is most exciting to you about your new consulting firm? What do you love about what you do and what do you hope to accomplish?

First, I loved running a solar business, but now that I’m sixty, I wanted to have more flexibility to do some of the things that I have always wanted to do.  Beth and I were able to spend five weeks in New Zealand last winter and are planning another exciting trip this winter.  To have the flexibility to do these things was very hard when I was running SolarWrights or Alteris.  I also love being able to get involved in some of the different renewable energy technologies that I was unable to do in the past. [/hide-this-part]

We wish Bob the very best with his new company, and our sincerest thanks for his thoughts.