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Rhode Island details pathways to become first state with 100% renewable electricity
In January 2020, Governor Gina M. Raimondo called for Rhode Island to become the first state in the nation to meet 100% of its electricity demand with renewables by 2030. Now, a new report issued by the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) details analysis and pathways to reach that bold, but achievable goal.

A clean, affordable, and reliable electric system – powered by renewables – is vital to reducing statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to climate change and harmful public health impacts. It will also enable broader GHG reductions across Rhode Island's heating and transportation sectors over time, while driving local investment and job growth.

The report includes 10 recommendations for policy, planning and enabling, and equity, including calls for a 100% Renewable Energy Standard and extension of the state's Least-Cost Procurement and Energy Efficiency statute.

The full report may be viewed online at: http://www.energy.ri.gov/100percent/.
Rhode Island again recognized as national leader in cost-saving energy efficiency
Rhode Island ranks fourth in the nation as a leader in cost-effective energy efficiency programs and incentives, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Energy efficiency investments help local residents and businesses use less energy to provide the same output. In doing so, these investments reduce energy consumption and costs for families and businesses, shrink our carbon footprint, and create jobs throughout the green economy.

ACEEE, an independent organization that promotes energy efficient policies and investments, released its 2020 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard this month. It found that Rhode Island "continues to achieve among the highest levels of savings in the country" even in a year in which energy efficiency efforts were slowed nationwide due to COVID-19.


Efficient Buildings Fund now open for applications until April 5
The Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and the Office of Energy Resources are pleased to announce the spring round of the Efficient Buildings Fund is now open for applications. Efficient Buildings Fund applications are due April 5th and can be found at http://www.energy.ri.gov/RIEBF/.

The Efficient Buildings Fund is a below-market rate loan program offered by the Infrastructure Bank and Office of Energy Resources. It funds cash flow positive energy projects where energy savings generated from the investment exceeds the repayments for the loan. Large municipal buildings and schools are particularly encouraged to request an energy audit and explore energy projects that can help with COVID related ventilation and indoor air quality issues.

The free, no-obligation energy audits, provided by National Grid, will help identify energy savings improvements for municipalities, quasi-state entities and public schools.

Energy audits can uncover inexpensive, easy-to-implement energy saving measures as well as identify deeper opportunities for energy reductions. Whatever your facility – and whatever your energy saving goals – energy audits are a simple way to get a building energy "checkup" as well as take a first step towards participating in the Efficient Buildings Fund. OER is always happy to engage with municipalities to help identify, scope, and implement energy saving projects.

Energy audit requests can be completed by filling out this form.
Lincoln homeowner capitalizes on incentives to install Tesla Powerwall home battery
We wish to congratulate Newport Electric Construction for winning OER's Energy Storage Photo Contest with the submission of a photo and this homeowner's story.

Homeowner Melissa Buttaro of Lincoln called Newport Electric Construction (NEC) Solar to install a Tesla Powerwall 13.5kWh battery in her home. The Tesla Powerwall is a fully-integrated AC battery system designed for residential and light commercial use.

With a rechargeable battery pack, it stores solar power for later use, as well as providing time-based control and backup. Her existing rooftop solar system plus battery storage will pay for itself in 10 years and save $44,000 over the next 25 years. She was also able to use several incentive programs to finance the project. NEC completed the project in June of 2020.

Read the rest of the story on our blog.
Narragansett Bay Commission adopts anaerobic digestion system
The Narragansett Bay Commission’s (NBC) Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility recently installed a new Combined Heat and Power system to reduce its dependance on the energy grid by approximately 36%. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the concurrent production of electricity and useable thermal energy from a single energy source. The CHP system will allow NBC to become more energy-efficient and reduce costs.

The heart of the new system is a 644 kW (gross capacity) engine-generator that operates on biogas created through anaerobic sludge digestion. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which microorganisms break down biodegradable materials in an absence of oxygen. It produces a combustible biogas that is in turn used to generate energy. The new CHP system will use a blend of 59% biogas and 41% natural gas.

The Bucklin Point Wastewater Treatment Facility is Rhode Island’s second-largest wastewater treatment facility. It treats wastewater through biological nutrient removal and ultraviolet disinfection. The facility required an average of 1.5 MW of power throughout 2019, which equates to an annual electric bill of $1.8 million. Historically, the Bucklin Point facility has used biogas only for heating and has safely flared any excess.

Read the rest of the story on our blog.
UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
February 18
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Meeting to be held online. Check website for details.
February 22
9:00-11:30 a.m.
Hosted by CLEAResult & National Grid
February 24
7:30 p.m.
Hosted by Green Energy Consumers Alliance
March 3
9:00-11:30 a.m.
March 3
1:00 p.m.
Hosted by Green Energy Consumers Alliance
March 11
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Hosted by CLEAResult & National Grid
March 18
1:00-3:00 p.m.
March 18
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Meeting to be held online. Check website for details.
March 30
9:00-11:30 a.m.
*Events are subject to change. Always check the event website for updated times, dates and location details before you attend.

Would you like to add your energy-related event to our calendar? Send the details and event URL to our editor at robert.beadle@energy.ri.gov.