3-3:45, Room 4

Historically, windows were always accepted as the weak spot in a building envelope about which little could be done to improve efficiency. Now that fuel costs are spiraling out of control, window efficiency has become an important issue. We’ll review the best current methods of improving your windows and things to look for when buying new windows.

Jim Devine is owner and president of Windo-Therm, which makes a NYSERDA approved window insulating panel that offers an Energy Star® level of efficiency on old single-glazed windows.

Mike DeWein

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Codes and New Technologies—Building the Partnership

For Code Officers, Builders, Architects, Engineers and Contractors
CEUs for Code Officials and Architects

Sunday 9-12:30, Nevaldine Hall, $30
(Pre-registration required. Call 315-379-9466, or email patricia@ncenergy.org)

This course for will address code barriers, real or perceived, in the residential building codes, focusing on Residential and Energy Conservation Codes. These barriers will be addressed through a comprehensive look at the various code requirements and interpretations. Supporting materials from a variety of sources will be utilized to show options for alternative systems and approaches. A cooperative relationship between Code Officers and Builders will be fostered to promote the construction of High-Performance Buildings. A Madd Air House demonstration will be conducted to demonstrate the relationship between building systems and house pressures. This AIA and NY-DOS accredited course offers Continuing Education Credits for architects and code officials.

Mike DeWein is Technical Director of the Building Codes Assistance Project, a collaborative effort of the Alliance to Save Energy, The Natural Resources Defense Council and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. He has been in the energy efficiency business for most of his life, first as a builder and alternative energy retailer and later joining The NYS Energy Office with its Energy Code outreach and implementation programs. He has served on the boards of the Energy Efficient Builder’s Association and the Building Performance Contractor’s Association. He is a nationally renowned speaker on the subjects of building energy codes and applied building science.

Bob Ellison

Wind Power for Homeowners

1-1:45, Room 4

Wind power is the fastest growing renewable energy source in the world. Do you have a good site? Want to know how to measure wind velocity there? What kind of grid connect equipment will you need? How can you select the best turbine and size it correctly? What will it cost? How much battery backup will you need? What are the snags, problems and failures with the wind equipment available now? These questions and more will be answered in this workshop.

Bob Ellison has been installing wind and solar systems for 12 years. He is the New York state service person for the Jacob’s wind turbines, and he services Bergey Windmills as well, both off and on grid.

Ed Goldstein (with Robert Best, Pete Popiel, Jerry Bartlett, the Martins, Peter Romaniuk, Katherine Lang, Bill Olsen and others)

PANEL: Alternative Vehicles and Fuels: Up Close and Personal

11-12:30, Demo Tent 1 in Plaza
(For full description of workshop, see Jerry Bartlett)

Ed will talk about his years of experience running older VW Rabbits and Jettas on both veggie oil and biodiesel.

Ann Heidenreich & Scott Shipley

NYSERDA Programs – Keeping Energy Dollars at Home
2-2:45, Room 2

We are fortunate to live in a state that has sound programs to address energy issues. Ann will provide an overview of the technical and financial assistance available from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to help you make your homes, businesses, and other buildings more energy efficient. The presentation will also cover NYSERDA’s solar PV and small wind programs.

Scott will answer the questions, What is an ENERGY STAR^®-Labeled Home and why should I build one? What incentives are available? What are energy efficiency considerations for new ENERGY STAR^®-Labeled Homes? How do I get my new home certified? Scott will use an ENERGY STAR^®-Labeled Home constructed with Habitat for Humanity in Rensselaer Falls as an example.

Ann Heidenreich is the Executive Director of Community Energy Services, a not-for-profit organization that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy systems and coordinates NYSERDA’s North Country Energy Smart Communities Program. She has worked in the energy field for over 25 years on global and local energy issues. She lives in a super-efficient passive solar home with an indoor garden, a masonry stove, and an earthen floor, which will be on the Pyrites Home Tour.

Scott Shipley is Director of Technical Programs for Community Energy Services. He provides energy audits and consultations for residential and small commercial buildings. He is a Building Performance Institute certified Shell Technician and a Home Energy Raters System rater for ENERGY STAR^®-Labeled Homes. Scott’s home is powered by 1200 watts of solar panels and a 900-watt wind generator. He also installs solar electric systems.

Jock Gill

Green Gold: From Field to Bio-Fuel
9-9:45, Room 5

New York State has 1.5 million acres of unused or underutilized agricultural land, most of which is already growing grass and here is a startling fact: one 800 lb. round bale of hay used for pellets can produce heat equal to 20 barrels of oil! Sales of pellet stoves and furnaces are soaring. We can grow pellet feed stocks and produce pellets to promote a local economy, healthy environment and energy independence. The Vermont Grass Energy Collaborative is working toward establishing a northeastern a grass pelleting industry and Jock will share his experiences.

Jock Gill is president of the Vermont Grass Energy Collaborative and co-founder of Biomass Commodities Corporation (BCC). He is dedicated to the creation of a grass energy sector that produces biofuels and land stewardship tools to promote economic development, healthy environment and energy independence. BCC is working to develop and supply agricultural and forest based pelleted fuels and large-sized pellet boiler systems. It is researching among other things a portable, farm-scale, biomass pelletizer.

Jock Gill

PANEL: How To Be a Consumer of BioEnergy

Friday 7-9, Theater
(For a Full Description of the panel, see Susan Powers)

Jock will cover the grass and wood pelleting section of the presentation.

Scott Gordon

Challenges and Opportunities for Small-Scale Biodiesel Production
4-4:45, Room 2

Everyone’s telling us to use alternative fuels, but no one’s telling us where or how to get it. The big guys are talking slick mega-production facilities with prices most likely tied to the escalating cost of diesel fuel. But small-scale biodiesel production is also viable and may fit in more with the local down-home character of the North Country. Green Technologies of Winooski, Vermont is currently making biodiesel at a pilot plant using waste vegetable oil as a feedstock. Scott will share what he has learned from his involvement in this ground-breaking work-in-progress.

Scott Gordon Ph.D, founder and CEO of Green Technologies, LLC is an inorganic chemist by training, has published 20 papers in leading scientific journals and is an inventor in the area of environmentally benign oxygen bleaching. Green Technologies is a company dedicated to developing green products and processes. In 2006, it produced and sold 10,000 gallons of biodiesel made entirely from waste vegetable oil. The projection for 2007 is 30,000 gallons.

Scott Gordon

PANEL: How To Be a Consumer of BioEnergy
Friday 7-9, Theater

(For a full description of the panel, see Susan Powers)

Scott will cover the biodiesel section of the presentation.

Stefan Grimberg

Energy From Cows: Anaerobic Digesters on Dairy Farms
2-2:45, Room 5

Manure and other agricultural wastes are a great energy resource. Clarkson University is developing new technologies for anaerobic digesters to create heat and power for farm needs. Is your farm a good candidate to use an anaerobic methane digestion system? Come see how farm digesters work and hear about economic and performance data along with other farmers’ experiences.

Stefan Grimberg is a faculty member of the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University. He and his students are investigating the most efficient process to convert farm waste into biogas using anaerobic digestion.

Daniel Haas

Wind Energy in New York State: Opportunities and Challenges
4-4:45, Room 1

One of the answers to breaking our addiction to foreign oil is blowing in the wind. Wind energy is the fastest-growing electricity generating technology in the world and its US capacity has tripled in the last five years. The North Country is already the site of the largest wind farm east of the Mississippi and Noble Environmental Power is constructing wind farms in five towns in the eastern part of the North Country. Come and learn about the possibilities of this new indigenous clean energy source, job creation and the benefits and impacts of wind energy for our local communities and landowners.

Daniel Haas is managing director of engineering and construction at Noble Environmental Power. He oversees the design and construction of Noble’s wind energy facilities and is now working in the easterly part of the North Country where Noble is constructing wind farms. He is a graduate of SUNY Canton and member of the Advisory Board for the new program in Alternative Renewable Energy Applications. He has been in the energy industry for 20 years and has been responsible for the design and construction of over 1,000 wind turbines in the US, Europe and Central America.

Kirk Herander

Grid-Tied Solar Systems

4-4:45, Room 2

Solar has arrived with plug and play grid-connected systems where an overage of sun power can run your electric meter in reverse. It’s an idea whose time has come. Net metering provides the process and NYSERDA incentives and state and federal tax breaks provide the financial support.

Kirk Herander is owner of Vermont Solar Engineering based in Burlington, Vermont. He is a NYSERDA approved installer of grid-tied solar electric systems in New York.

Jan Hutslar, Moderator

PANEL: Living Off-Grid – The Day-To-Day Reality

11-12:30, Room 4

Ever wonder what’s really involved in living off-grid? Come and learn from the experts: your neighbors who are doing it! Off-grid is a term that means electric power is generated and stored on-site as opposed to being purchased from or connected to a central utility company, as in grid-tied solar or wind. Panelists will show and tell about their unique homes, their power systems and the required changes in lifestyle it takes to live off-grid. Systems represented are solar photovoltaics for home and workshop and micro-hydro with passive solar, super insulation and green building.

Jan Hutslar is an off-gridder who lives in Pyrites. You can see her passive and active solar home on the Pyrites Home Tour.

Other Participants: Bryan Thompson-DeKalb, NY; Erik Schulze-North Russell, NY; Betsy Kepes, Colton, NY

Jeff Jones

New Energy For Cities, Towns and Farms
2-2:45, Theater

Energy efficiency and conservation are the keys to a successful energy future. Using less energy and using it more efficiently are the surest ways to cut energy costs for consumers and businesses and reduce the threat of global warming. The Apollo Alliance has proposed the most ambitious investment in our nation’s history─$300 billion over 10 years—to break our country’s addiction to foreign oil. This workshop looks at examples from municipalities around the country that are working to cut fossil fuel use while creating good jobs that help protect the environment.

Jeff Jones is the state coordinator of the NY State Apollo Alliance. He is a long time environmental and clean energy advocate based in Albany, NY.

Jim Juczak

How To Build a $20,000 House!
11-12:30, Room 5

The concept of living mortgage-free and off-grid is alive and well, and you can do it! Alternative and recycled dwellings, salvaging and scrounging for materials to reduce costs, dealing with building codes and getting along with your family and friends while you build will be covered. Learn what you need to know about composting toilets, water supply, permits, wiring, plumbing, framing, etc? The basics and costs of alternative power systems will be examined, as well as what you have to learn to set one up yourself safely, efficiently and cheaply.

Jim Juczak has been a middle and high school teacher for 23 years. He has explored affordable alternative energy systems and housing for the past 20 years, most recently at the sustainable community he is establishing in Adams Center called Woodhenge, where he and his wife built a cordwood and papercrete house that uses solar and wind energy. The main goals of the community are to set up a ‘life boat’ example for when the difficult times of rising oil prices arrive. He has lectured around the country on diverse topics such as: the end of the oil age, homemade wind turbines, preserving food, creating stone circles without power equipment and off-grid energy systems.

Jim Juczak (and daughter Lisa)

How To Put Together A Cheaper Solar System
4-4:45, Demo Tent 1 in the Plaza

Putting together solar systems does not have to be complicated and expensive! Participants will watch an assisted assembly by a ten-year-old (and possibly help assemble) of a complete two-panel 60w solar electric system suitable for a cabin or camp. Selection of photovoltaic panels, storage batteries, inverters, wire, switches and safety will be covered. The cost of this system is under $500!

Jim Juczak (with Steve Spence)

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Build a Bicycle Generator
Sunday, 9-12:30, Nevaldine Hall, Limited to 20 people, cost $30 plus materials

(Pre-registration required. Call 315-379-9466 or email patricia@ncenergy.org)

What’s a way to lose weight and power a small appliance, TV or charge tools and batteries at the same time? Why it’s human energy using a stationary bicycle generator! Pedal away to create electricity. Never be without power again. In this workshop, master alternative energy tinkerers Jim Juczak and Steve Spence will offer their expertise to help you put together a bicycle generator from prepared kits they have made. Those who want to will be able to take home what they make for a materials fee of $100.

Jim Juczak (with Steve Spence)

HANDS-ON WORKSHOP: Build a Solar Food Dryer Sunday, 1-4:30, Nevaldine Hall, Limited to 20 people, cost $30 plus materials

(Pre-register by calling 315-379-9466 or email patricia@ncenergy.org)

Drying your fruits and garden produce is the most economical way to preserve them for use over the winter and what better way to do this than with the sun. Jim has come up with an original design with four drying trays for both a large and a small dehydrator kit. Wooden parts will be precut and predrilled for participants to put together. Those who want to take home their solar dehydrators will pay a materials fee of $25 for the small and $50 for the large (much less than in the catalogs, Jim reports!) Recipes and tips on dehydrating food will be discussed and samples will be available.

Katherine Lang (with Bob Washo & Heather Sullivan-Catlin

PANEL: Hungry for Answers–Where Does Local Food Fit In?
9-9:45, Theater

Presented by GardenShare, this panel will address the interface of energy considerations and our local food system. How can we build the local farm economy, help the environment and make healthy food choices in the North Country? We will look closely at the many ways to eat local food: Community Supported Agriculture, harvest-sharing, North Country Grown Cooperative, Farm-to-School program, food security, gardening and public policy.

Katherine Lang has worked and studied in the field of community food and nutrition, beginning with an apprenticeship through Maine Organic Farm and Garden Association. She works for Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County’s Food and Nutrition Education Program and serves on the board for GardenShare, Inc. and the North Country Grown Cooperative.

Katherine Lang (with Robert Best, Ed Goldstein, Pete Popiel, Jerry Bartlett, the Martins, Bill Olsen, Peter Romaniuk and others)

PANEL: Alternative Vehicles and Fuels: Up Close and Personal
11-12:30, Demo Tent 1 in Plaza
(For Full Description of the Workshop, see Jerry Bartlett)

Katherine will talk about her 6 years of experience driving a Toyota Prius.

Gerry Loch

Save Energy, Save Dollars – It’s 10 AM, Do You Know What Your Water Heater’s Doing?
11-12:30, Room 3

The typical American family spends close to $1,300 a year on home utility bills, often more in the North Country. A large portion of that energy is wasted. By using a few low and no cost energy efficiency measures, your energy use can be reduced by as much as 50%. You can achieve this by being aware of and managing the energy systems in your home. This interactive workshop will introduce you to a whole-house approach to saving energy. You will learn how to invest wisely and make your home safer and more comfortable.

Gerry Loch has been an electronics technician and a subcontractor on many building projects. He is the Energy Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County and conducts energy trainings all over the area.

Jeff Luoma (with Steve Meyer, Greg Murray and Bruce Woodruff)

PANEL: Bioheat: Biodiesel, Pellets, Wood Gasification and Fire Wood
11-12:30, Room 1

Home heating is typically 50 percent of an average home’s energy usage in the North Country. You no longer have to rely on fossil fuels to heat your home. Many people are experimenting successfully with mixtures of biodiesel in oil furnaces. B-5 or B-20 biodiesel is available locally now, as well as conversion kits that will allow the more adventurous homeowner to burn at 100 percent biodiesel. Pellet and corn stove and furnace sales are soaring. Find out what it will take for you to convert. Wood gasification and efficient burning of firewood, the original biofuel, will also be covered, as well as woodlot management.

Jeff Luoma is a Cornell Extension Support Specialist forester who studied at Yale.

Miles Manchester

Do-It-Yourself Weatherization

2-2:45, Demo Tent 1 in the Plaza

This hands-on workshop and display is for the homeowner and will focus on the basics of weatherizing buildings. The first step is to identify the sources of air leaks and other heat loss. Second step is to prioritize where to invest time and money to correct problems. A variety of weatherization products will be on display, including weather stripping, caulk, foam sealant, plastic storm windows and insulation. Proper use of appropriate tools for weatherization will be demonstrated and those who have not used caulking guns and foam sealants successfully will have a chance to apply them to displays. Removal and reinstallation of door and window trim with tools and tips will be demonstrated.

Miles Manchester began working summers and vacations in residential construction in 1967. After completing college, he had a 29-year career with the NYS Dept. of Labor. Now retired, he continues his life-long interest in carpentry, home building and remodeling and home maintenance.

John Manning

Global Warming and Geothermal Heat Pumps
1-1:45, Room 4

Geothermal heat pumps can have a dramatic effect on our collective environmental footprint. The presentation will sensitize the audience to the current situation regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate change by conveying information about atmospheric concentrations of CO₂, methane, nitrous oxide and sulfates and the projected impact of continued escalation of emission rates. Manning will discuss geothermal heat pump technology: how it works, system benefits, expected installation costs and how this technology can be coupled with renewably generated electricity to create buildings that can be heated and cooled without producing any greenhouse gas emissions.

John Manning is founder and president of Earth Sensitive Solutions, an engineering and consulting firm committed to reducing our collective environmental footprint. He has over 25 years of experience with geothermal installation and holds six heat pump design patents.

The Martin Family

Running Vegetable Oil in Diesel Vehicles
9-9:45, Demo Tent 1 in the Plaza

Did you know that diesel engines were originally designed to be run on vegetable oil? In this workshop you will get the benefit of years of experimenting with veggie oil in both on-road and farm vehicles. You will learn about conversion components for engines, the heat and switch method, see examples of good and bad oil, learn the pitfalls such as oil that is too thick or getting dirt in your fuel, fuel conditioners and thinners, collecting used oil, the filtering and settling process, plus the equipment and vehicles you run it in.

The Martin Family, father Luke and brothers Melvin, Daniel, Luray, Timothy and Nathaniel, run a local farm and farmstand, raise bees and run a sawmill. They have been collectively experimenting with alternative fuels in their machines and vehicles for years. No one knows as well as they do the ins and outs, frustrations and glory of using this free fuel.

The Martin Family

Pressing Oil Seeds With a Mechanical Screw Press
3-3:45, Demo Tent 1 in the Plaza

The next logical step for the Martin Family in their Make-Your-Own-Fuel adventure is pressing their own oil for both fuel and food. They will be bringing their new portable mechanical screw press to the Fair, pressing seeds and producing oil as you watch. Now they are buying sunflower and flaxseed to press, but the intention is to grow their own, giving them control of the whole process from field to fuel!

The Martins (with Ed Goldstein, Pete Popiel, Jerry Bartlett, Robert Best, Peter Romaniuk, Katherine Lang, Bill Olsen and others)

PANEL: Alternative Vehicles and Fuels: Up Close and Personal
11-12:30, Demo Tent 1 in Plaza

(For a Full Description of the Workshop, see Jerry Bartlett.)

The Martins will talk about their years of experience running on road and farm vehicles on vegetable oil.