BuildingEnergy Pro Tour – June 14, 2014

NESEA’s BuildingEnergy Pro Tour in Rhode Island

Saturday, June 14^th from 10am – 3pm.

This is lieu of a July NESEARI event.

This tour is organized with CSG and National Grid and has stops in Tiverton, Jamestown and Providence, plus a workshop.

The day will consist of 4 sites, presented in an open-house style, with hosts at each site that are excited to share details about their project.  Each site has a lot to learn in terms of project goals, motivations and lessons.  The day will conclude with a workshop at The Box Office in Providence.  It will consist of a presentation, Q&A session, networking opportunities and refreshments.

You can also earn 1.5 AIA CEUs for the day. 

More information here.

 

Greg Spiess – June 10, 2014

The June event will feature Greg Spiess, AIA LEED AP of GMI Architects.

As an NCARB Registered Architect, Greg has been responsible for award-winning work on both coasts of the United States and abroad. He attended the University of Southern California for his B. Arch., Architecture & Urban Design and post-graduate studies in Planning and Real Estate Development. Greg’s early architecture education was centered on the pioneering environmental design work of his mentor, USC Professor Ralph Knowles and cohorts such as Ian McHarg.

Greg’s early career included work in Iran, master planning the University of Baluchistan, multi-family housing, hospitals, hotels and the urban design of two new towns. Later, he led the Southern California firm Spiess / Wheeler Partners, on projects of community development, housing, mixed-use office and retail ventures, and winning the AIA Honor Award for the Ticketing Centers of the XXIII Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He was adjunct faculty in the Schools of Architecture and Planning at the University of Southern California from 1980-94 and at Roger Williams University from 1996-2002 and still lectures there regularly on Planning and Building Codes. Relocating to Rhode Island in 1994, he has worked with noted firms in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, coordinating such projects as the recently completed Interlink intermodal expansion of TF Green Airport, the Leviton Annex School, the Fitness Center of the Jewish Community Center in Providence, the Putnam Place Business Incubator in Fitchburg, MA, Plymouth County Courthouse Accessibility Improvements and the award-winning University of Virginia Tennis Center.

As past President of the American Institute of Architects New England and 2009 President of the AIA Rhode Island Chapter, he has led efforts in Disaster Response and as part of the Sustainable Cities Committee of the US Green Building Council RI, he presented case studies of LEED ND, Neighborhood Development to town planners and developers at Grow Smart Rhode Island’s May 2010 POWER OF PLACE SUMMIT. His firm, GREG SPIESS ARCHITECTURE included Building Performance Institute Certification from the Apeiron Institute and provided audits for USDA’s Ensave Program for farm energy audits, as well as the Hope & Main Culinary Business Incubator adaptive reuse project. He was also consulting architect on the Middletown Public Schools State Funding Applications for Necessity for School Construction, utilizing Coalition of High Performance Schools (CHPS) Energy Conservation documentation. In 2012, he merged with GMI Architects, which has offices in Bristol, RI and Boston, MA and is now Senior Associate. Current work involves construction of the Hope & Main Culinary Business Incubator in Warren, RI, the Metro North YMCA in Saugus, MA, Cambridge Athletic Club near MIT, the Mary Draper Public Pool for the City of Boston and numerous healthcare facilities.

Come to this free event to learn more about Greg Spiess’ career and his current work at GMI Architects. If you can, stay for a casual dinner after the talk at Bravo.
When: Tuesday, June 10th at 6pm
Where: Bravo Brasserie 123 Empire St. Providence, RI 02903 – In the Event Room upstairs (bravobrasserie.com)
Who: Friends of NESEA RI
Parking: Valet parking is free at Bravo

Rick Mobley – May 13, 2014

Rick Mobley
CEO at Enhanced Energy Group LLC
N. Kingstown, RI

The May event will feature Rick Mobley, Chief Executive Officer of Enhanced Energy Group (EEG), a Rhode Island start-up and technology company commercializing a patented non-emissive co-generation system based on a family of technologies called Semi-Closed Cycle (SCC) engines, which produce both electricity and carbon dioxide (CO₂) suitable for industrial markets.  EEG targets customers in the petroleum production industry, whose prolific consumption of CO₂ topped 65 million tons in 2012, an amount severely constrained by existing pipeline infrastructure.  By combining a distributed generation business model, anthropogenic CO₂ and electricity co-generation, EEG believes it can fundamentally change the economics of energy and CO₂ generation in the oil field services sector.

Mr. Mobley is a financial executive committed to sustainable value creation through technology development with extensive management experience developed at IBM Global Financing and ING US Financial Services.  After joining IBM in 1981, he moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to IBM headquarters locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, where he held management positions in treasury operations, asset management, financial reengineering, international remarketing, business systems and strategy.  While at IBM, he worked as part of the corporate team that synthesized the company’s basic beliefs of “Respect, Service and Excellence” into a sustainable approach to corporate citizenship that focused on the potential of IBM’s global organization to develop a leadership position in the Information Technology Asset Disposition and Recycling (ITADR) market.  With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, he was also part of the multi-divisional management team that created a new division (IBM Global Asset Recovery Services), which today is recognized for leadership by Gartner Research.

Focusing his commitment to sustainability and experience at IBM, Rick has spent the last seven years in the emerging Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) market developing, patenting and licensing CCUS technology.  Working with Paul Dunn, EEG’s Founder and Chief Technology Officer, he is currently focused on their team’s strategic efforts to transform patented US Naval propulsion technology and commercialize the patent-pending EEG non-emissive, clean energy systems.

Come to this free event to learn more about Rick Mobley and Enhanced Energy Group.  If you can, stay for a casual dinner after the talk at Bravo.

Rick’s LinkedIn page:

When:  Tuesday, May 13th at 6pm

Where:  Bravo Brasserie 123 Empire St.  Providence, RI 02903 – In the Event Room upstairs (bravobrasserie.com)

Who:  Friends of NESEA RI

Parking:  Valet parking is free at Bravo

Allison Rogers – April 08, 2014

Allison Rogers, Director of Policy, RI Department of Administration

Photo: Brad Shew

Allison (Alli) Rogers currently serves as the Director of Policy for the Rhode Island Department of Administration.  Alli previously served as the Executive Director for Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Green the Capitol Office at the U.S. House of Representatives, where she worked from 2007 to 2011.  During her previous work as a sustainability consultant, Alli has worked for a number of organizations, including the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  Alli worked for Harvard University’s Office for Sustainability (previously known as the Harvard Green Campus Initiative) from 2002 to 2006.  As a University Management Fellow, Alli coordinated the energy efficiency and sustainability programs for Harvard College, Law School, Business School, and Real Estate Services.

Dedicated to raising awareness about climate solutions, Alli participated in the Miss America Competition as Miss Rhode Island 2006.  She was the first contestant to compete with a climate change focus and she was selected to be in the first group of 50 people trained by Vice President Al Gore through the Climate Reality Project.  Alli was recognized for her “Go Green: Global Warming Awareness” platform efforts as a recipient of the Environmentalist of the Year Award from Earth Day RI, the Strong Women and the Environment Award from RI Clean Water Action, Environment RI, and Ocean State Action, as well as the Quality of Life Award from the Miss America Organization.

Alli has served as a Truman National Security Fellow, a Toyota TogetherGreen Fellow with Audubon, a Women’s Leadership Fellow with the American Democracy Institute Impact Center, and a National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellow.  She serves on the Alumni Council for Wild Gift, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting “better world” social entrepreneurs, and she serves on the Board of Directors for the Miss RI Scholarship Program.

Alli is a LEED AP and she received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College and M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  She is currently pursuing her M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

When:  Tuesday, April 8th at 6pm

Where:  Bravo Brasserie 123 Empire St.  Providence, RI 02903 – In the Event Room upstairs (bravobrasserie.com)

Who:  Friends of NESEA RI

Parking:  Valet parking is free at Bravo

Doug Sabetti – March 11, 2014

Doug Sabetti, Owner of Newport Solar

Our March event will feature Doug Sabetti, Owner of Newport Solar.  With 30 years of experience in construction, Doug has earned a reputation for honesty, reliability and high-quality work delivered on schedule and on budget.  He works closely with his clients to help them make informed decisions about quality, cost and project phasing.  Focusing on residential and small commercial projects, Doug enjoys helping people get their energy from the sun and he takes pride in his ability to design and install solar systems that meet his clients’ needs and goals.  Doug has earned the highest achievable accreditation in the solar industry as a North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Installation Professional.

In addition to running Newport Solar, Doug is a passionate advocate for a green energy future.  He is an avid reader of current federal and state policies and is passionate about new technologies and alternative choices for living a more sustainable life. Currently, he is working with various stakeholders in the region to advocate for policy change concerning electric law and regulation in Rhode Island.

Doug grew up in Newport, RI and serves on the Newport Energy and Environment Commission, where he shares his expertise on renewable energy, energy conservation and environmental issues with the city of Newport and the public.  He is a NESEA member and is also a member of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES), New England Clean Energy Council, Rhode Island Builders Association (RIBA) and USGBC.

Come to this free event to learn more about Newport Solar and join a lively discussion with Doug Sabetti on the future of Rhode Island solar policy.  If you can, stay for a casual dinner after the talk at Bravo.

When:  Tuesday, March 11^th at 6pm

Where:  Bravo Brasserie 123 Empire St.  Providence, RI 02903 – In the Event Room upstairs (bravobrasserie.com)

Who:  Friends of NESEA RI

Parking:  Valet parking is free at Bravo
To learn more about Newport Solar – newportsolarri.com/
To learn more about NESEA and how to join – nesea.org
Upcoming: Tuesday, April 8^th – Allison Rogers – Director of Policy, Department of Administration, State of Rhode Island

David MacLellan – February 11, 2014

David MacLellan, Program Manager, CLEAResult

 

Our February event features David MacLellan, Program Manager at CLEAResult, a company that helps utilities, businesses and individuals make the wise use of energy a way of life.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in more than 40 cities in the U.S. and Canada, CLEAResult designs, markets and implements energy programs around the globe.  Here in Rhode Island, CLEAResult is working in a collaborative with the RI Department of Human Services and seven Community Action Agencies to deliver the RI Income Eligible Services program.

Prior to CLEAResult, David worked with Action for Boston Community Development as Director of the largest Weatherization Assistance Program in the Northeast.  David has 20+ years’ experience in various energy efficiency programs.  He is a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Sustainable Development Professional with the Association of Energy Engineers.

When:  Tuesday, February 11th at 6pm

Where:  Bravo Brasserie 123 Empire St.  Providence, RI 02903

– In the Event Room upstairs (www.bravobrasserie.com)

______

Coming up: Tuesday, March 11^th – Allison Rogers – Director of Policy, Department of Administration, State of Rhode Island

David Vallee – January 14, 2014

David R. Vallee – Hydrologist-in-Charge
NOAA / NWS / Northeast River Forecast Center

Our January event will feature David Vallee, the Hydrologist-in-Charge of the National Weather Service’s Northeast River Forecast Center, which provides detailed water resource and life-saving flood forecasting services to National Weather Service Forecast Offices and the hundreds of federal, state and local water resource entities throughout the Northeast and New York.

Come join us to learn more about David Vallee, his work at NOAA and how climate trends in the Northeast affect us all.  If you can, stay for a casual dinner after the talk at Bravo.

David considers it a tremendous privilege to be serving the people of the very region he calls home and will deliver a special presentation on how the climate has changed in Rhode Island, which will examine the increase in temperatures and rainfall, the changing frequency of flood events and how sea level rise and erosion along the coast have made us more vulnerable than ever to a major hurricane strike on our shoreline.

• David has worked for the National Weather Service for 26 years, serving in a variety of positions including Senior Service Hydrologist at the Taunton Weather Forecast Office from 1993-2000 and as Science and Operations Officer from 2001-2006.
• He has extensive experience leading hydrometeorological forecast and warning operations and directing weather research and training programs.  His research activities span a variety of topics including flooding, severe weather forecasting and orographically enhanced heavy rainfall in southern New England.
• David has served as the NWS lead investigator with the State University of New York at Albany on a multi-year project addressing Land Falling Tropical Cyclones in the Northeastern United States.  This has improved the forecasting of heavy precipitation associated with these land falling tropical cyclones as well as developing a better understanding of the mechanisms which lead to the recurvature and rapid acceleration of tropical cyclones as they approach the Northeast.
• Recently, David has been leading an effort at the Northeast River Forecast Center to examine changes in precipitation and temperature patterns across New England and its impact on flood behavior.
• 
• David is most known locally for his outreach and education work onthe behavior of New England Hurricanes, including many appearances on local radio and T.V. networks as well as the Weather Channel, the History Channel and the Discovery Channel.
• David has been the recipient of numerous regional and national awards including the prestigious National Isaac Cline Award for Leadership.
• He is a graduate of Lyndon State College and a life-long resident of Rhode Island, living in the northeast part of Cumberland with his wife and two sets of teenage twins!

To learn more about the National Weather Service’s Northeast River Forecast Center – weather.gov/nerfc

When:  Tuesday, January 14^th at 6pm

Where:  Bravo Brasserie 123 Empire St.  Providence, RI 02903

– In the Event Room upstairs (www.bravobrasserie.com)

Who:  Friends of NESEA RI

Parking:  Valet parking is complimentary at Bravo

 

Jigar Shah – December 10, 2013

A special NESEARI event at Save the Bay

Please come join us December 10 at 6pm at the Save the Bay Center and meet Jigar Shah to learn more about creating a successful entrepreneurial venture and how Rhode Island can play a part in the emerging $10 trillion clean energy economy of the future.

•  Jigar Shah is the founder of Sun Edison, the largest solar development company in the world.  Unknown to most Rhode Islanders, Sun Edison launched its business with one of its first two solar installations  at the Whole Foods on Main Street in Providence.

• Today, the vast majority of the solar systems installed in the country are financed using the Power Purchase Agreement model that Sun Edison pioneered. After selling Sun Edison, Jigar was recruited as the founding CEO of Carbon War Room by Richard Branson. Carbon War Room is now the leading advocate worldwide for business based solutions to climate change and other environmental and social challenges.

• Recently Jigar published a new book entitled “Creating Climate Wealth” in which he argues that solutions to the climate challenge present a $10 trillion opportunity to transform our economy, the largest wealth creation opportunity in history.

• An inspirational speaker who advocates passionately for entrepreneurship and innovation as the solution to the climate challenge, Jigar will share his experience creating one of the fastest growing companies in the world along with suggestions on how embracing the clean energy future can help spur prosperity in the Rhode Island economy.

This event is being held at the Save the Bay building at 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI. The event is being sponsored by the Slater Fund, which will also be providing food. We want to thank the Slater Fund for this generous support.

Archives from March 2009: The inaugural NESEARI event

RI Clean Energy Leaders Examine the Impact of Economic and Legislative Forces on their Green Businesses

Where:  Wolcott Eco-Office – 28 Wolcott Avenue, Providence RI

When:   Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 6pm – 8pm

Wolcott Eco-Office, Providence RI, February 24, 2009 – The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), the nation’s leading regional membership organization promoting sustainable energy solutions, is organizing a panel of leading local clean energy leaders to discuss how economic conditions, the federal stimulus legislation, and recent and pending state legislation will impact their RI-based renewable energy businesses.

Up until now the dialogue in Rhode Island about the America Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the green economy has been dominated by policy experts and government officials.  This panel adds the voice of small business professionals to learn more about the forces that are affecting their business decisions, and to find out where they think their businesses will be in the next five years.

Panelists include:

• Robert Chew, president of residential business at Alteris, a leading solar integrator
• Fred Unger, president of Heartwood Group, Inc., an energy project developer and consultant
• Karina Lutz,  deputy director at People’s Power & Light
• Julian Dash – director of the RI Renewable Energy Fund

“This panel is the launch event for a more active NESEA RI chapter,” said John Jacobson, president of JTJ Investments, a Providence real estate redevelopment firm that recently opened the Wolcott Eco-office. “These panelists demonstrate that we have what it takes to build a robust green economic sector in the state.  Going forward, the NESEA RI chapter will convene once a month to showcase different RI clean energy businesses and to build a tighter network of clean energy professionals.”

“This panel seeks to deepen the conversation about the green economy,” said Fred Unger, president at Heartwood Group, Inc, who recently developed over 17% of the total installed solar capacity in Massachusetts and is currently developing a three megawatt wind project. “There are a number of trends taking place in the industry right now – such as the rapidly dropping price of solar energy, new legislation at the state and federal level, new financing opportunities and emerging technology – that bode well for the future of clean energy in RI.  I’m glad to see that NESEA is spearheading this issue and look forward to attending future monthly chapter events.”