Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society Annual Meeting Sustainable - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society

January 13th, 2015

Annual Meeting Sustainable Year-round Agriculture Cluster Initiative Demonstration Update

Steering Committee

Name Organization Mark Hutton Umaine Extension Steve Hinchman ReVision Energy Ellis Sprague Independent Gabe Clark Cold Spring Farm Steve Von Vogt Maine Composites Alliance Dave Lavway Maine Department of Agriculture Ellis Additon Maine Department of Agriculture Pauline Pare USDA NRCS Fred Morton Farm Credit East Clara Coleman Independent Habib Dagher Advanced Composites Center Mary Bulan Unity College Name Organization Mark Hews MESAS Penny Jordan MESAS Tony Kieffer MaineAsia Gray Harris Coastal Enterprises Katherine Creswell KVCC Amy Hudnor KVCC Mick Dunn Shift NRG Jeff McElroy Independent Dan Dixon Umaine Stephanie Burnett Umaine Rick Grondin Independent Barry Stevens Zehndar Heat

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High–level Design and Construction Timelines

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

2017 2016

Design Demonstration Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

2014 2015

Construction LRFF UME TY/KVCC LRFF UME TY/KVCC LRFF UME TY/KVCC Cluster Initiative Strategy and Management

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Project Demonstration Site Updates

Little River Flower Farm

Buxton, Maine

Olivia’s Garden

New Gloucester, Maine

Tao Yuan Restaurant

Brunswick, Maine

Kennebec Valley Community College

Fairfield, Maine

Extreme Environment Education and Research Building (E3RB)

Orono, Maine

In-ground Organic Gutter Connected Solar GH:

Little River Flower Farm, Buxton, ME

• For over 18 years Bruce and Nancy Stedman have worked their land

year round. They are certified organic in ground growers that sell via Whole Foods, CSA’s and direct to Portland area restaurants.

• As part of their 10 year plan they plan to expand their greenhouses by

15,000 s.f. in 2015 and again in 2016.

• 5500 s.f. Greenhouse
• Solar
• LED
• Heat storage system for

capturing daytime heat and reticulating heat to beds Demonstration Objectives Raised heated beds to grow:

• Lisianthus, Dahlia, other

flowers

• In ground organic Kale,

Bok Choy, Lettuce, Other Greens

Anticipated Outcomes

• Performance of crops over

different scenarios

• Different lighting scenarios
• 1 section partially covered

in PV Panels to test growth

• 3 Watts/s.f, 9.3 kwp for

each bay

• Demonstrate ability to meet

most of the electricity requirements of the greenhouse for mechanical and supplemental light

• Heat savings vs control

Technologies to be Implemented

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In-ground Organic Gutter Connected Solar GH:

Little River Flower Farm, Buxton, ME

Features and Benefits

• 5,500 sf structure, 47’ wide x 20’ high
• Panels are integrated into glazing
• Design for either Un-heated or heated use
• Configurable solar coverage to generate 3-15 watts/s.f.
• With/Without Supplemental Light

Little River Flower Farm

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Little River Project- continued

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Applications Multi-purpose-

• Greenhouse in Spring and Summer and Fall
• Dual use as a GH and wood kiln in winter
• Animal production structure
• Cold crops in winter

ArchSolar LLC Confidential

In-ground Organic Gutter Connected Solar GH:

Little River Flower Farm, Buxton, ME

Task Date Final Design January-Early Feb Funding Secured February LED Lighting Tests Begin in November- Ongoing Site Work April Construction April Production May

Timeline

In-ground Organic Gutter Connected Solar GH:

Little River Flower Farm, Buxton, ME

Upcoming Items Submit loan application Analyze sample materials for engineering specification confirmation Submit interconnect application Order/ship FRP, polycarbonate and solar Begin Construction April Recently Completed Items Completed model for design Confirmed footing requirements and obtained bids Updated loan application and financial models Samples/quotes received for polycarbonate, footings Sample LEDs purchased and installed for 9x9 section of greenhouse Completed solar engineering and line drawings for CMP submission

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Solar GH and Aquaponics:

Olivia’s Garden – New Gloucester, ME

Scott Howard is the grower and owner at Olivia’s Garden

• Olivia’s markets to area retailers, CSAs, institutions, restaurants and

farmer’s markets

• 15,000 s.f.
• Maine’s most advanced multi-croping hydroponic production facility

growing tomatoes, basil, micro-greens, and lettuce Technologies to be Implemented Demonstration Objectives

• Prove out and test

aquaponics model

• Confirm benefits of

supplemental LED lighting

• Gather data to influence

next round of expansion Anticipated Outcomes

• 720-square feet of production

floor converted to aquaponics

• Compare aquaponics yield and

crop output to the hydroponic growth using LED

• Testing LED light against HPS light
• ver 3,000ft hydroponic growth

for productivity and energy costs

• Yield comparisons of

watercress, basil, lettuce, arugula and microgreens

• Organic Status
• Lower Energy Costs
• Real-time data
• New knowledge

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Trials

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Solar GH and Aquaponics:

Olivia’s Garden – New Gloucester, ME

Task Date

Set up hydroponic test and control for growth under HPS v. LED

Underway

Begin construction of aquaponic system

Completed

Finalize budget

December

Engage aquaponic consulting services

January

Finalize system design

Early 2015

Hook up aquaponic system to small scale

Early 2015

Expand hydroponic system into next phase of construction

Early 2015

Begin tracking and collecting data

Early 2015

Begin Internship Program

Early 2015

Timeline

Recently Completed Items Installed LED lights for testing Began construction of aquaponics facility Planted first round of seedlings under LED lights Approved new budget breakdown Upcoming Items Hire aquaponics consultant Connect aquaponics production system Hire academic advisor who will also support intern selection

Solar GH and Aquaponics:

Olivia’s Garden – New Gloucester, ME

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Solar Greenhouse:

Tao Yuan Restaurant – Brunswick, ME

Owned by John Stadler and family, Tao Yuan is a restaurant specializing in Asian infused cuisine restaurant, guided by fresh ingredients that are available locally, and include a mixture of modern cooking techniques. The demonstration of a greenhouse and aquaponics system will further the goal of local, fresh, and high quality food.

The chef, Cara Stadler, was named a Food & Wine’s "2014 Best New Chef Award" Technologies to be Implemented

Demonstration Objectives

• Demonstrate the viability of a self

contained farm-to-table production system integrated into a restaurant.

• Growing multiple exotic Asian

foods and fish together

• Develop a work-study position that

builds to collect, analyze and disseminate data.

Anticipated Outcomes

• Aquaponics Production

Strategy

• PV combined with LED to

provide adequate year round lighting to grow at recommended light levels

• Sustainably produced

food for the restaurant

• Year-round source of

reliable, high-quality food

• Build experience and

data in growing specialty varieties of year round produce not found in Maine.

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Solar GH:

Tao Yuan Restaurant – Brunswick, ME

Task Date Preliminary Design options to Town Complete: Working through fire code setback issues Explicit Budget and Build-out Plan

• Define Building Orientation
• Select Crop Type
• Compare Estimates

January Village Review Board

• Determine Height

February Finalize Architectural and Engineering Plans March 2015 Construction June 2015

Timeline

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Solar Greenhouse:

Tao Yuan Restaurant – Brunswick, ME

Recently Completed Items Hired greenhouse manager Prepared grow plan and layout Design concept review with John Bartok Town concept review with fire inspector Upcoming Items Determine exact design of building and greenhouse Obtain estimates for alternative greenhouse Detailed Design Package Aquaponics system design Village Board Review for Permission to build

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Solar Greenhouse:

Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, ME

Technologies to be Implemented Demonstration Objectives Anticipated Outcomes

• Integrate the greenhouse as a

classroom into new curriculum

• Provide a teaching environment to

build experience

• Increase sustainably-grown food in

Maine

• Work together with extension to offer

research opportunities

• 2500-3000 greenhouse
• PV
• Designed to accept

biomass heating

• Train work force and build

expertise

• Grow food for use in the

culinary program as well as at the school

• Demonstrate technologies

that can be used affordably by small and medium sized farms

The Farm at Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) is located on 120 acres of prime agricultural land at the center of the college’s new Harold Alfond Campus in Hinckley, Maine. The former pasture-based dairy is being converted into a four- season production and educational farm growing mixed vegetables, fruits, livestock, and specialty crops using innovative and sustainable practices. Part of sustainable agriculture, culinary arts, sustainable energy programs

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Solar Greenhouse:

Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, ME

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Solar Greenhouse:

Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, ME

Task Date Utility Upgrades December/January High-level Design

• Fuel Type
• Equipment
• Lighting

January Funding January/February Hiring an Education Coordinator

• Job Description Written

January 2015 Construction April/May 2015 Results Testing Begins Spring/Summer 2015

Timeline

Solar Greenhouse:

Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, ME

Recently Completed Items Drafts of project overview Installed electricity upgrade Site walk to discuss design plans and facility components e.g. biomass boiler and supplemental light Meeting with John Bartok on heating requirements Draft heating proposal underway Budget Revisions Upcoming Items Receive and review preliminary budget for central biomass boiler option Submit final project overview to President Hopper Finalizing/Secure funding Detailed Design/Procurement Site preparation construction

Pre-fabricated Building:

E3RB Building– Orono, ME

Technologies to be Implemented

• Large-scale solar array
• Concrete Filled Composite

Arch Technology

• Solar thermal
• Heat recovery system
• Spray foam
• Renewable technology

dashboard Demonstration Objectives

• Provide a storage facility

that also generates electricity

• Develop a carbon-negative

building

• To showcase the “Bridge-in-

a-Backpack” technology

• Recapture heat

Anticipated Outcomes

• 51 kW hours generated
• Savings in CO2 emissions
• 31,000 of kWh into the

grid after heat needs are met

• Data on heat recovery and

PV array performance

The University of Maine Climate Change Institute mounts as many as 15-20 expeditions to remote parts of the world every year, but has no truly dedicated staging space. The Extreme Environments Education and Research Building (E3RB) will include a new expedition staging, equipment innovation and development, and student training and

• utreach facility for the Climate Change Institute.

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Pre-fabricated Building:

E3RB Building– Orono, ME

• Designed with the Advanced Structures and Composites

Center as a 40x80 foot print

• The fully engineered building will have 80 lb psf snow

load and 90 mph wind load

• 41.25 kWp capacity producing 58,616 kwh/year
• Value of Annual Electricity $5,862 per year at $.10/kwh
• Additional RECs valued at $.04=$2345
• Heat Recovery system

Pre-fabricated Building:

E3RB Building– Orono, ME

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Task Date Bid package complete End of November Review and Approval of Bid Package December/January 2015 Out to bid February/March 2015 Finalize Plans March/April 2015 Construction Late April/Beginning of May 2015

Pre-fabricated Building:

E3RB Building– Orono, ME

Timeline

Pre-fabricated Building:

E3RB Building– Orono, ME

Recently Completed Items 90% complete design package – Lead P.E. continually making updates Awaiting review of package Plans submitted to IRC for review Upcoming Items Review and update final package – Create sequencing process for bid contractors Update budget based on review Confirm with AIT Send final package to UME/Claude Junkins Determine viability of third party funding source for solar Discuss heat recovery design with Shift NRG

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