Note: This is an HTML copy of the original file. Please view the original alt_energy_minutes/2009/20090218.pdf to see intended formatting. (Acrobat Reader is required to view)


Cape Elizabeth Alternative Energy Committee

Minutes:  February 18, 2009

 

Present:  Wyman Briggs, Alan Lishness, Bill Slack, David Whitten

Absent:  Peter Cotter, Peter Ingraham, Ted Hawkes, Sarah Lennon, Ernie McVane

Guests:   Rick Fontana,

 

I.  Approval of Meeting Minutes

  • Minutes for the December 18, 2008 meeting were unanimously approved.  There was not a formal AEC meeting in January 2009.

 

II.  Town Council Meeting

  • Committee members presented the Alternative Energy Committee (AEC) report to the Town Council on January 12, 2009. Bill, Alan and Wyman each presented during the council meeting.
  • The council acknowledged receipt of the report and will be referring the committee’s report and recommendations to a workshop. The date of workshop will be determined after the audit is completed (tentatively April or May).
  • Wyman suggested that we may want to re-run our analysis based on a lower discount factor (10% was used in the report and 4% is probably more appropriate based on current economy) Bill to update economic models using on lower discount rate based on current economy.

 

II.  Audit

  • Audit report from CM3 is scheduled to be completed by end of February.  Once the audit report is completed it will be distributed to committee members for evaluation.  Scheduling of workshop with Town Council will follow.

 

III.  Wind

Wyman re-capped on-going activities related to wind turbine development.

  • Bill & Wyman met with John Markey (wind consultant) at the high school on Jan xxx
  • Two sites were looked at for wind turbine (high school and transfer station).  Both sites initially looked ok for development by Mr. Markey.
  • Mr Markey was recently involved in a 600 kW installation in Newburyport. 
  • Mr. Markey believes that Cape has quality wind to support a 600 kw wind turbine.  He estimates that it could generate 1.3 million kWh annually and cost over $2million. 
  • The advantage at the high school would be that the electrical interconnect behind the school meter would be less costly. The desired location at the high school would be on the southerly side of the football field towards the wetlands.  That way it would be furthest from residences and  ice pellets would be minimized
  • R. Markey confirmed that 6 to 12 months of meteorological data will be required.  This is not only necessary to anticipate the capacity factor for the turbine, but also to provide necessary data regarding wind shear and other parameters necessary for the turbine suppliers.
  • Two cell towers were looked at regarding capabilities to install meteorological instrumentation.  Both were considered acceptable (close enough) by Mr. Markey for providing appropriate data either the high school site or the transfer station site.  One tower is off Spurwink (near Purpoodock) and the other is off owned 77(near the start of Beach to Beacon).  Installation of equipment would be easier for the tower off Spurwink. This tower is owned by Herb Strout and he has previously expressed interest in working with the town on this matter. Dave W. to contact Heb Strout about installing met stations on his cell tower.
  • Mr. Markey believes that 2 met stations will be required and will cost about $5,000.
  • Mr. Markey provided a proposal to provide wind consulting service to the town of Cape for about $39,000.  If met data that is collected shows that the wind turbine project is not economical, there is no point continuing and we would not need to pay for his full services. Wyman will go back to Mr. Markey and have him rework his proposal in phases so that we are only collecting and analyzing met data first before making a decision to expend any more money.
  • Mr. Markey also offered to provide a service to help Cape Elizabeth apply for CREBS (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds) 0% loans for approved projects. He suggested that Cape should begin the application process if they believe that they will be doing a project of his nature.
  • Wyman received a second proposal form a consultant to install two levels of anemometry at a cost of $5,890 for new and $4,395 for used equipment.
  • Bill noted that the Efficiency Maine grant that was slated for Munjoy Hill may be in jeopardy due to the approval process… Wyman agreed to contact Efficiency Maine to see if there may be renewed potential for Cape to receive a grant for the meteorological stations.
  • The committee agreed that Newburyport site and/or other similar sized turbine sites be visited to learn more about the impact on community.  Wyman to investigate options for visiting similar wind turbine projects.

 

IV.  Goals and Objectives

  • The committee reviewed goals and objectives to accomplish this year and came up with the following list.
    • Follow through on the following AEC report recommendations.
      • Third/Party Consultant/Energy Audit
      • Wind Turbine Site Survey
      • Community Awareness
      • Actively Pursue Funding for Alternative Energy Projects. Alan to contact Mike McGovern about the Town’s “normal” process to apply for grants and funding for municipal projects.
      • Full Cost Appraisal
      • US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
      • Participate with GPCOG on ICLEI assessment

 

    • Additional Goals for this year that were discussed  include:
      • Implementation by Town of energy conservation measures identified in audit.
      • Leverage savings from energy conservation measures for alternative energy project funding
      • Continue to advance internal knowledge on alternative energy technologies
      • Develop appropriations worthy recommendations for alternative energy projects.
      • Enhance the committee with additional people with the following skill sets (two members have formally resigned since).
        • Finance
        • Fundraising
        • School Representation
        • Public Outreach

 

V. Other

  • Peter Ingraham submitted his resignation to the committee.   Bill will contact Peter Ingraham regarding his contacts at Unitil relative to the potential for extension of the natural gas line.
  • Jim Rowe forwarded a letter submitted by a resident to the Town Council, Town Manager, Recycling Committee and Director of Public Works regarding a portable energy system that converts trash into electricity.   Bill will provide response to Jim Rowe regarding letter submitted by resident regarding trash to energy technology.

 

VI. Action Items/Schedule for Next Meeting

  • Bill to update economic models using lower discount rate based on current economy
  • Dave W. to contact Heb Strout about installing met stations on his cell tower.
  • Wyman will go back to Mr. Markey and have him rework his proposal in phases so that we are only collecting and analyzing met data first before making a decision to expend any more money.
  • Wyman agreed to contact Efficiency Maine to see if there may be renewed potential for Cape to receive a grant for the meteorological stations.
  • Wyman to investigate options for visiting similar wind turbine projects.
  • Alan to contact Mike McGovern about the Town’s “normal” process to apply for grants and funding for municipal projects.
  • Bill will contact Peter Ingraham regarding his contacts at Unitil relative to the potential for extension of the natural gas line.
  • Bill will provide  response to Jim Rowe regarding letter submitted by resident regarding trash to energy technology
  • The next meeting will be the week of Mar 23.  Bill will send around a Doodle.