Back to Bronx Community College Web Site
Back to Bronx Community College Web Site Back to Bronx Community College Web Site
Calendar and Events Selected Links
Meet our Faculty and Staff Selected Links News and Publications
Back to Center for Sustainable Energy
Our Telephone Number Our Fax Number
E-Mail Us


   

Newsletter, May 2007
--------------------------------------------------------

In this Issue:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Contents

  • New York City Solar Summit @ the American Museum of Natural History
  • Solar New York 2007  Conference and Exhibition
  • Pol Fuels Interest in 'Green' Trucks
  • Learn Solar Electric Installation at City University of New York
  • Tips:  NYSERDA; and EPA $
  • Readings:  NYC Energy Independence; Truck Idling Study
  • Kudos:  Mayor Bloomberg; NY Sunworks; EmPower
  • Events of Interest in the Region: May 15 through June 15

-----------------------------------------------------------

New York City Solar Summit @ the American Museum of Natural History

The New York City Solar Summit organized by the Center for Sustainable Energy is a gathering of renewable energy policy makers and stakeholders who are focused on unlocking New York City’s vast solar energy potential. It will take place on the summer solstice, June 21, the longest day of the year at the American Museum of Natural History (Central Park West @ 79th Street).

Solar energy is New York City’s largest available resource. Concerns over energy security, climate change, economic development, and environmental justice make the time right for a new city energy strategy. The New York City Solar Summit will convene New York City’s energy community to take stock of the progress made toward New York’s solar energy future, discuss the barriers to large-scale solar energy development, and map out strategies for moving forward.

The City University of New York began the Million Solar Roofs Initiative (MSRI) in partnership with the US Department of Energy’s Million Solar Roofs program in summer 2005. Under the MSRI, The City University of New York has conducted an outreach and education campaign that includes an assessment of the solar energy market in New York City, the identification of barriers to solar energy development, and the facilitation of solar projects throughout the City. The CUNY MSRI is being managed by The Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College.

Sponsors for the event include the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, FJC Foundation, Sun Edison, New York Power Authority, Johnson Controls, Inc., altPower, Inc., and ConEdison Solutions.  

There is no fee for the Summit but seating is limited. A luncheon is included and advanced registration is required. Please call 718-289-5332, email mail@csebcc.org or register online at: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/SaveTheDate.cfm

-----------------------------------------------------------

Solar New York 2007:  Conference and Exhibition

This new, exciting one-day conference and trade show will feature the wide range of solar companies doing business in New York State and the solar electricity, space heating, and water heating products and services available from them.  Emerging new solar technologies and products currently under development will also be featured.  The substantive conference sessions will feature national and state solar industry, policy, and regulatory experts sharing strategies for greatly increasing deployment and use of solar technologies throughout New York State. 

This is the first time ever the solar industry - and solar supporters - will convene in Albany. The conference is deliberately scheduled while the legislature is in session.  A special reception will be held Monday evening for conference attendees, exhibitors, legislators, and legislative staff. A complete conference brochure can be downloaded at http://www.nyseia.org/.  For further information, contact Christine Donovan ctdonovan@nyseia.org , Executive Vice President, New York Solar Energy Industries Association, 518-495-1454 www.nyseia.org 

The Center for Sustainable Energy is an “outreach partner” for this event.

-----------------------------------------------------------

(The following is excerpted from a Bill Egbert article in the Daily News, April23, 2007)

Pol Fuels Interest in 'Green' Trucks

Politicians are sometimes compared to used-car salesmen, but last week a Bronx congressman moved up to new trucks. Rep. José Serrano (D-South Bronx) organized a briefing by representatives of a British electric truck maker at his district office to encourage fleet operators to start converting to electric vehicles and move away from diesel engines, which spew fine particulates proven to trigger asthma attacks.

A recent report noted that most of the delivery trucks serving Manhattan and the other boroughs pass through the Bronx. "If there's a need for fleet conversions," Serrano told participants via video link from Capitol Hill, "then we should be leaders on that front."  Smith Electric Vehicles has been making all-electric trucks for 80 years in the UK, and will begin production at its new Fresno, Calif., factory later this year.

The company has 70,000 vehicles in service - with some trucks built in the 1950s still on the road. Its customers include Starbucks, Britain's Royal Mail and parcel-delivery giant DHL. Electric trucks are ideal for urban driving, said Darren Kell, CEO of Smith's parent company, because stop-start traffic and long idle times that cause problems with diesel trucks are boons to electric vehicles.

Since the motor only draws power when the truck is moving, idling doesn't waste fuel. And Smith's trucks use the motor as a generator when braking, so frequent stops recharge the battery. Though an electric truck can cost up to twice as much as a standard diesel, it is up to five times cheaper to operate - about $10 a day.

Help is available to those wanting to convert part of their fleet. A representative from the city Department of Transportation briefed attendees about the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality program, which provides federal grants up to 80% of the cost difference between standard diesel and alternative-fuel vehicles. FedEx, which plans to move a major delivery facility from Manhattan to the Bronx, has already received a CMAQ grant to buy the 30 hybrid delivery trucks it operates in the city, and expressed interest in using the program to add all-electric trucks.

 "We are certainly willing to evaluate any technology that may have an application to our service fleet," said FedEx spokesman Jim McCluskey. FedEx has been ahead of the curve on greening its fleet, he said. "Most of our vehicles in our service fleet nationally are gasoline powered," said McCluskey, "as will most be at the Harlem River Yards station."

(The Center collaborated in organizing this event.)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Learn Solar Electric Installation at The City University of New York

An Introductory Photovoltaic (“PV,” or sunlight-to-electricity) installation training course will be held at the New York City College of Technology (City Tech) in Brooklyn May 29, 30, 31, June 4 from 6 - 9 PM and on June 6, 8, 5 - 9 PM. The course, developed by the Center for Sustainable Energy, is part of an ongoing program of solar technology training that has been developed by the Center. The May & June classes will be held in the Howard Building, 25 Chapel Street, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY. City Tech is also part of CUNY.

The 20-hour training is delivered by a NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners)-certified installer, Anthony Periera, President of Altpower and past President of the Board of Directors of the New York Solar Energy Industries Association. He has installed solar installations on some of New York City’s most prestigious buildings. 

According to a 2006 Report prepared by the Center for Sustainable Energy, “the solar energy market is among the fastest growing energy markets in the world, and solar power has the potential to meet a significant portion of New York City’s future energy demand.  The PV market here has accelerated rapidly during the past several years, growing by 48% in 2005, and an average market growth rate of 27% during 2002-2005.  The amount of solar energy that falls on the city each year is twice the energy that the city requires. The challenge for New York City is not whether there is enough sunlight to power the city, but how to best capture and use the available solar energy.”  A skilled PV installation workforce will be needed to meet the expected demands in PV market growth.

The workshop includes: the latest photovoltaic technologies; cost analysis, sizing, building/zoning code issues; opportunities for financing PV purchases; and a hands-on lab with PV and inverter technology, and mounting methods. If you have questions regarding this workshop, please call James Quigley of the Center for Sustainable Energy at Bronx Community College, (718) 289-5332.

Registration can be completed in several ways: by phone with a VISA or MasterCard only. Call (718) 552-1170 and speak with Barbara or Kumarie at NY City Tech; By mail send a check or money order for $370 which includes a $20 non-refundable registration fee to New York City College of Technology, Continuing Studies Center, 300 Jay Street, Howard Building, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; or walk-in to the Continuing Studies Center at 25 Chapel Street, 4th floor, Brooklyn. Office hours are 9 AM - 6 PM Monday through Friday, and Saturday mornings. Payment is due at registration. A 10% discount is offered for all CUNY students, alum, faculty, or staff.

Look for more details about the next 20-hour advanced solar installation course offered at Bronx Community College starting July 31. It will be instructed by Jonathan Lane of Quad-State Solar.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Tips:

Public Opportunity Notice 1093
The Bio-Fuel Station Initiative Driving Energy Independence for the Empire State

Accelerating the installation of retail E85 and biodiesel service stations throughout New York. The goal of the program is to create an expanded network of stations for the public and private vehicles that are capable of being operated on these renewable fuels. For more information please visit http://www.nyserda.org/Funding/funding.asp?i=2  .

RFP for the 2007 United States Environmental Protection Agency Source Reduction Grant Program

Supporting activities that integrate pollution prevention and compliance objectives, and further the application/dissemination of sustainable tools, including environmental management systems, environmentally preferable purchasing, energy efficiency, and water conservation. http://www.epa.gov/p2/pubs/grants/srap07.htm

-----------------------------------------------------------

Recommended Reading:

Moving New York City toward Energy Independence

This report assembled by Sierra Club’s Dan Miner lays out a roadmap of pragmatic steps towards a sensible energy future for New York City, starting with creation of an energy shortage contingency plan, briefly considered by the City Council in 2004.

Investigating the Cost, Liability and Reliability of Anti-Idling Equipment for Trucks

Produced by the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Delaware, this 102-page study had three principal objectives: investigation of the cost, liability, and reliability of anti-idling equipment for trucks; evaluation of environmental, energy, and economic impacts of idled trucks and anti-idling equipment; and development of a set of policy recommendations to both curb idling and facilitate the entry of anti-idling equipment into the marketplace in Delaware.

Also, see New York City’s Solar Energy Future reports:
Part I: The Market for Photovoltaic Systems in New York City, January 2006
Part II: Solar Energy Policies and Barriers in New York City, January 2007

-----------------------------------------------------------

Kudos:

Earth Day Address by Mayor Michael Bloomberg
PLANYC: A GREENER, GREATER NEW YORK   April 22, 2007

Mayor Bloomberg provided a sweeping new vision with 127 Initiatives to Make New York City more sustainable. Included were a carbon emissions reduction target of 30% and congestion pricing to reduce motor vehicle traffic in Manhattan. Full Speech.

New York Sun Works Launches “Science Barge”

Hudson River Park’s Pier 84 at West 44th Street & West Side Highway was the location May 4 for the launch of NY Sunworks’ new Science Barge  The floating classroom, lab and meeting space is a comprehensive demonstration of sustainable technology. It includes a hydroponic vegetable farm using 100% renewable energy and recycled water; solar photovoltaics and wind energy devices, biofuels and more.  Public tours are Saturdays and Sundays 11 AM and 2 PM. The barge will move to  Riverside Park at West 72nd Street, July 4 – Sep 2 and then Stuyvestant Cove Park at East 23rd Street, Sep 6 – Oct 31. Call 212-757-7560 or email info@nysunworks.org

EmPower’s David Schieren Appears on Discovery Channel with Thomas Friedman

Tom Friedman conducted an extensive interview with EmPower’s David Schieren in his capacity as Energy Team Leader for the NYIT/USMMA Solar Decathlon Entry.  David appeared in Friedman’s “Green: The New, Red, White and Blue” broadcast April 23 on the Discovery Channel. For more information about the Solar Decathlon and EmPower’s role please read David’s Article in the National Hydrogen Association Newsletter:

-----------------------------------------------------------

EVENTS OF INTEREST IN THE REGION: 

Saving Energy, Saving Dollars, Low-Income Forum on Energy
Tuesday, May 15, 2007, New York, NY

Sponsored by the New York State Public Service Commission and underwritten by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Registration fee is $35 per person and includes lunch, breaks and materials. Call 1-877-NY-SMART for more information. 

The Future of Urban Transportation
Friday, May 18, 2007, 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM, New York, NY

A Symposium in Honor of Robert E. Paaswell’s 70th Birthday at the City College of New York, University Transportation Research Center http://www.utrc2.org/ , Contact: Ellen Thorson, 212-650-8144.  Register online at http://www.utrc2.org/events/index.php?viewid=162 

New York City Parks & Recreation 19th Annual Vehicle & Equipment Show
Tuesday, May 22, 2007, 9 AM - 3 PM, New York, NY

New York City Parks & Recreation 19th Annual Vehicle & Equipment Show on Randalls Island (includes clean fuel vehicles, electrics and hybrids). Over 100 vendors, rain or shine. RSVP to 212-410-8384. See also: www.nyc.gov/parks 

NYS Apollo Alliance State Summit
Wednesday, May 23,  2007, 7 - 9:30 PM and Thursday May 24, 2007, 8:30 AM - 5 PM, Latham, NY

With keynote presentations and plenary sessions focused on: job creation; energy efficiency; renewable energy; economic development; environmental justice. No registration fee. Register online at: http://store.mountainmedia.com/ceepinc/calendar.cfm?do=detail&d=3191&c=4943&p=36820   Contact Trang Tran at 518-272-3500 x 114 or nysapollo@wdiny.org  The New York State Apollo Alliance is a new alliance of labor, business, environment, environmental justice and healthy schools groups that has been formed to fight for good jobs, clean energy and New York’s energy independent future.

First Annual 21st Century Automotive Challenge Competition
Sunday, June 10, 2007, Burlington County, NJ

Organized by the Eastern Electric Vehicle Club, a chapter of the U. S. Electric Auto Association. The competition showcases energy-saving automotive transportation, including hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles. Part of the Burlington County Earth Fair. Contact Oliver Perry at 609-268-0944, or 609-922-7275, see: http://www.eevc.info/eevcevents.html   

Udall Legacy Bus Tour
Friday, June 15, Bronx, NY

The Center for Sustainable Energy will host a visit to Bronx Community College by a delegation from the Morris K. Udall Foundation on Friday, June 15. The visitors will begin their journey from Washington on June 12 and proceed to 25 other cities over a 54-day period. They will be traveling in a bus powered by biodiesel. During their visit to the Bronx the delegation will assist in clean up efforts with the Bronx River Alliance in the morning and come to BCC during the afternoon to help distribute energy efficient light bulbs and showcase their bus. Call 718-289-5334 for more details.

Friday, October 5, 2007, 9 AM - 2 PM, Bronx, NY

SAVE THE DATE...  "Road to Energy Independence: New York City's Alternative Transportation Future" Annual Conference at Bronx Community College

-----------------------------------------------------------

HAVE AN EVENT OR NEWS ITEM YOU WISH TO SEE APPEAR IN THIS NEWSLETTER? PLEASE EMAIL: mail@csebcc.org  

-----------------------------------------------------------

KNOW ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER? HAVE THEM SIGN ON AT: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/Join_Mailing_List.cfm  

-----------------------------------------------------------

The mission of the Center for Sustainable Energy is to promote the use of renewable and efficient energy technologies in urban communities through education, training, workforce development, research, and project facilitation. The Center supports clean energy development and energy conservation as the means to protect the environment, enhance public health, and position New York City to capture emerging economic development opportunities in the energy sector.

The Center, established in 2003 at Bronx Community College, City University of New York, was initially funded with a Congressional appropriation sponsored by The Honorable José E. Serrano, and administered through the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tax deductible contributions to the Center may be sent to the address below. Checks should be made payable to “Bronx Community College Foundation/Center for Sustainable Energy.”

Center for Sustainable Energy
Bronx Community College, CUNY
Hall of Fame Terrace, GML 102
Bronx, NY10453

Call the Center at: 718-289-5332
Email the Center at: mail@csebcc.org
Visit the Center website at: http://www.csebcc.org 

For links to past newsletters of the Center, see: http://www.bcc.cuny.edu/InstitutionalDevelopment/CSE/News_Publications.cfm

©  2008, Bronx Community College
City University of New York