A Collaboration of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY) and the SUNY College of
Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) made possible, in part, by a grant from the US Department of Labor
Sustainable Use of Renewable Energy (SURE):
Exploring Our Sustainable Future
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Nifkin Lounge, SUNY-ESF Campus - Syracuse, NY
Special Pre-Symposium Program – Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Brief Program Description: This program provides you with an opportunity to learn about the
renewable energy opportunities and ideas that are being developed and deployed in central NY with
relevance and application for participants throughout New York State and beyond. Participants will
learn more about the current technology and business applications of renewable energy systems
including solar, wind power, biomass and conversion to biofuels. Morning presentations on these
topics are followed by opportunities to experience first hand a number of these renewable energy
technologies.
Who should attend? This program is of value to you if you are:
•
Interested in getting into new renewable energy business (e.g. growers, farmers, re-sellers,
wholesalers, products, etc.)
•
Wanting to incorporate renewable technology into your current business
•
Involved in or interested in agriculture, forestry and/or land management
•
An entrepreneur
•
An architect, engineer, or other professional
•
College/university faculty or student
•
A PreK-12 educator or administrator
•
An elected or other public official
Location: Alumni Lounge, Marshall Hall, SUNY-ESF Campus – Syracuse, NY
Directions and Area Lodging Options: Please visit www.esf.edu/maps/
Thursday registration fees: $75 per person
$25 for full time students
Wednesday registration fee: Free for all Thursday registrants; $10 for all others
*Registration for all aspects of this program is required.
Hosted by: The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) in cooperation with
Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY)
SURE Certificate: Through full participation in this conference, participants will earn the Sustainable
Use of Renewable Energy (SURE) certificate awarded by MACNY in cooperation with SUNY-ESF.
Professional Certification: Professional credits are to be expected. The program will be sent for
review once the program is finalized.
SURE program 2008.doc
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Renewable Energy 101 – Wednesday, November 5th – 4:00 – 6:30 pm
Where: Nifkin Lounge, SUNY-ESF Campus - Syracuse, NY
Everything you wanted to know about Renewable Energy terms and concepts.
Brief Description: Energy issues and challenges are making headlines every day.
You, our valued and supportive patrons, have asked us to provide a “Renewable
Energy 101” workshop in which you can ask questions about all the issues and ideas
you have read and heard about. This is the opportunity you have asked for.
For this workshop, please bring questions you have about basic Renewable Energy
terms and concepts. Two of our experts will provide a brief overview of Renewable
Energy that will include a conceptual framework for understanding Renewable Energy
ideas, issues, and decisions.
4:00 pm
Registration and Refreshments
5:00
(90”)
Discussion Facilitators:
Mr. Michael Kelleher, Director of Renewable Energy Systems, SUNY-ESF
Dr. Timothy Volk, Research Associate, SUNY-ESF
Questions and Discussion
6:30
Program End
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Program – Thursday, November 6th – 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
7:45am
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30
Welcome and Overview
Emily Gillis, Project Coordinator, SUNY-ESF Outreach
Dr. Chuck Spuches, Associate Dean, SUNY-ESF Outreach
8:40
Moving Central New York Forward on the Renewable Energy Path
Dr. Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr., President, SUNY-ESF
9:10
Challenges Facing America's Future: Energy, Water, and the Environment
John Vasselli, UTC Carrier Corporation
The development and employment of alternate energy sources must be
viewed from the perspective of population growth, the decline in the availability of
water, food, fossil fuels, and the role that each plays in sustainable societies.
These elements are inter-related, and therefore will involve societal trade-offs
associated with how increasingly limited resources are expended. This
presentation will examine each of these elements of sustainability, setting the
stage for the discussion of the need for an alternative energy industry during the
coming decades.
9:55
CNY’s Renewable Energy Response to Global Energy and Climate Change
Challenges – A Summary Report
Dave Eichorn, Meteorologist, News Channel 9
David Eichorn (News Channel 9) will report on a recent four-part Climate Change
Seminar Series, with support from a NYS Department of Labor grant, which
engaged individuals from throughout Central New York in a dialogue on our
region’s greening efforts in response to global climate change and energy
challenges. This report will portray efforts from perspectives of municipalities,
community education & outreach, and the private sector.
10:35
Break
10:45
Changing the way you think about Biomass
Moderator: Dr. Timothy Volk, Research Associate, SUNY-ESF
•
•
•
•
Biomass production/Feedstocks:
Dr. Timothy Volk, Research Associate, SUNY-ESF
Biofuels:
Dr. Thomas Amidon, Professor, Paper and Bioprocess Engineering, SUNY-ESF
Pellets:
Gabe Vincelette, Schuyler Facility Business Development Manager, New
England Wood Pellets
Conversion Technologies:
Michael Fuller, Corporate Development, Greenwood Technologies
Q&A
12:15 pm
Lunch
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1:00
Renewable Energy in CNY: Selected Leadership Role
Moderator: Mr. Michael Kelleher, Director of Renewable Energy Systems, SUNYESF
•
•
Michael Younis, Senior Resident Engineer, Anheuser-Busch
Bob Bechtold, President, Harbec Plastics
Each panelist will present their and their organizations current renewable energy
endeavors. Questions/discussion to follow. Presenting Question (subject to
change): What are our region's renewable energy opportunities, challenges and
barriers, and their implications for our region's business community?
Concurrent Sessions
2:00
A. Sustainable Reuse Remedy for the
Solvay Wastebeds
(Presentation followed by site visit)
•
Dr. Timothy Volk, Research
Associate, SUNY-ESF
•
Dr. Don Leopold, Chair and
Distinguished Teaching Professor,
Environmental and Forest Biology,
SUNY-ESF
•
Doug Daley, P.E., Director, SUNY
Center for Brownfield Studies and
Associate Professor,
Environmental Resources and
Forest Engineering, SUNY-ESF
•
Tony Eallonardo, PhD student,
Graduate Assistant and NSF STAR
Fellow, SUNY-ESF
4:30
Honeywell International is collaborating
with SUNY–ESF to develop a sustainable
reuse remedy for the more than 700
acres of the Solvay settling basins in
Camillus, NY. The system will include a
combination of innovative technologies
including an alternative vegetative cover
using shrub willows and inland salt
marshes. In addition to acting as a living
cover to prevent water percolating into
the settling basins, the shrub willows will
also be harvested on three to four year
cycles and the biomass will be used for
the production of biofuels and bioenergy
in the local economy. Willow trials have
been underway on the settling basins
since 2004. Trials with salt tolerant plants
started in 2005 and in 2008 a five acre
inland salt marsh was established on the
settling basins. During the tour the overall
approach of the sustainable reuse remedy
will be discussed and stops will be made
at both the willow and inland salt marsh
plantings.
Closing Comments (with time for Q&A) &
5:00
Program End
3:30
SURE program 2008.doc
B. Key Elements of a Sustainable
Green Business
Mr. Gary Lim, President, Aurarius LLC,
and ESF Kauffman Entrepreneurship
Professor
Any “green” business must possess
some key elements before it can be
sustainable – that is, in this case,
sustainable from a business
perspective. A business that pays
attention to the environment but not
to the reason for its existence will
usually not survive long enough to
make a difference. In this session,
you will learn about the key success
factors of a sustainable green
business.
C. Campus Instructional Tour on
Renewable Energy
Mr. Michael Kelleher, Director of
Renewable Energy Systems, SUNYESF
Participants will see examples of
SUNY-ESF sustainable energy
projects, including photovoltaic array,
green roof, fuel cell, and pilot ethanol
projects.
Evaluations
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