BUSINESS CHALLENGE
Located on the western south shore of Long Island, New York, the Town of Hempstead is the largest township in the Unites States and a leader in renewable energy demonstration and education. As an early adopter of renewable technologies, the Town initiated a solar photovoltaic (PV) project in 2005. This project encouraged the Town to explore additional renewable energy alternatives and the concept of an energy park. Renewable energy parks not only provide a source of reliable, locally-produced clean energy, but they also contribute to eco-tourism and serve as an educational resource to local schools, universities and business groups. Recognizing the need for additional funding and guidance, the Town sought advice from energy consulting experts.
SOURCEONE SOLUTION
The Town engaged SourceOne in 2011 to serve as the program manager, providing technical and fiscal guidance to secure and administer grant funds and develop multiple energy technologies for a new energy park in Point Lookout, NY. SourceOne worked with the Town of Hempstead to secure an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in the amount of $4,577,700, funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The EECBG is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and was created to assist U.S. cities, counties and states to develop, promote, implement and manage energy efficiency and conservation projects and programs. SourceOne has served as the grant administrator, on behalf of the Town of Hempstead, to administer the EECBG and execute the Town of Hempstead’s Energy and Environmental Conservation Strategy (EECS). Services include grant administration support, compliance, RFP preparation, contractor selection, construction oversight, schedule and budget management, DOE reporting, and the development of a metering data acquisition system.
SourceOne has supported the Town with the development and implementation of several clean energy projects, sustainability and conservation initiatives. The majority of these projects are concentrated within the energy park and include a hydrogen refueling station powered by wind energy; various solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, and geothermal technologies; EV charging; a net-zero energy office; and an off-grid capable solar/wind shellfish aquaculture facility. SourceOne has helped execute the EECS, as outlined below:
- Energy & Greenhouse Gas Database.
- HVAC & Lighting Retrofits
- Geothermal System
- Website Media. Outreach/Signage
- Clean Energy Data Acquisition System
- Residential Fluorescent Lightbulb Exchange Program
- Wind to Hydrogen Conversion
- Metering Data Acquisition System
- Energy & Sustainability Master Plan
- Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
- Fleet Anti-Idling Technology
- 100kw Wind Turbine
RESULTS
As of March 2013, SourceOne has supported the Town to complete $4.2 million in projects from the EECS and obtain approximately $200,000 in utility rebates for additional clean energy projects. In addition to lowering the Town’s carbon footprint and providing energy savings, the energy park provides a valuable educational resource for the community.
The Town is currently working with local educational institutions and establishing a team to provide regular tours of the energy park to leverage the educational benefits that the park offers and to promote renewable, clean energy projects. Raising public awareness, understanding, and confidence on the benefits of renewable energy technologies will help foster the adoption and development of these technologies in the United States.
Learn more about the project and the Town's clean energy initiatives from the blog post, press release or visit the Town of Hempstead's Clean Energy Project website.
