The 4th Annual NHSEA Home Energy Conference will be held on

November 20, 2010

8:30am–4:30pm
Grappone Center, Concord, NH

Conference Program

Four distinct tracks of workshops are offered at the conference. There are workshops in each of the three sessions for each of the four tracks. For details about workshops that are offered in each track, click on the track below. Once you have chosen the Workshops you wish to attend, go to the Registration Page to register for the conference and sign up for your workshops.

• Track 1 
    Energy Efficiency
• Track 2 
    Sustainable Energy
• Track 3 
    Learning by sharing our stories: Case Studies
• Track 4 
    Sustainable Progress through Sound Policy

Schedule of the Day

8:00–8:30  Check in and morning refreshments

8:30–10:30  Opening Ceremonies

Welcome – Clay Mitchell Esq PhD, President of NHSEA Board of Directors
Opening Plenary— Join NHPR reporter Amy Quinton as she serves as moderator for a panel of NH energy experts.

Moderator - Amy Quinton, NHPR Environment Reporter
Panelists include -
Clay Mitchell-Revolution Energy & SDES Group
Stacey Doll-NH Climate and Energy Collaborative,
George Gantz-Unitil

10:30–12:00  Workshop A

12:00–1:15  Lunch Break

1:15–2:45  Workshop B

2:45–3:00  Afternoon Break

3:00–4:30  Workshop C

Track 1: Energy Efficiency

Workshop A — 10:30 - 12:00

Residential Energy Efficiency 101-not just a passing fad

Scott Albert of GDS Associates, Inc.

Scott Albert will discuss the what and why’s of energy efficiency. He will describe some of the key policy frameworks, market actors and multitude of programs/activities currently in place, how they have been evolving and likelihood of their continued evolution toward sustainable business practices in coming years

Workshop B — 1:15-2:45

Timber Frame Construction is an Affordable Green Building Method

Paul Freeman of Brooks Post & Beam, Inc.

Robert Tortorice of Building Alternatives Inc.

Bo Foard Foard Panel, Inc.

Mark Osgood Alyris Technology

Join a panel of experienced builders and designers to learn about the many ways that timber frame construction can provide comfortable energy efficient homes, using sustainable materials and methods.  These beautiful, open homes celebrate the beauty of natural wood and craftsmanship.  The spaces they enclose are open, airy and comfortable and facilitate a feeling of spaciousness without a massive footprint.  Timber framing is a New England tradition which ties us to the land, our heritage, and the beauty and sustainability of local materials.  These homes require low maintenance and last for centuries.

Workshop C — 3:00-4:30

How To: Vapor Barriers, Insulating Sheathing and Drying Potential

Bruce Bennett of GDS Associates, Inc.

Bruce Bennett will provide some technical descriptions and real life examples on the do’s and don’ts of vapor barriers and insulation

Track 2: Sustainable Energy

Workshop A — 10:30 - 12:00

Solar thermal heating

Jack Bingham of Seacoast Energy Alternatives, Inc.

This workshop will cover the good, the bad and the recently possible in solar hot water heating systems. We'll review simple home heating systems to near total heat load coverage for residential and commercial buildings.

Workshop B — 1:15-2:45

On and Off Grid Photovoltaic Systems:  What you Need to Know

Mark Weissflog of KW Management, Inc.

Back by popular demand! This workshop will cover the sizing and pricing of photovoltaic systems based on your annual energy usage (bring in a calculator and your annual electrical energy usage.) Learn about current PV module and mounting options and the difference between roof and ground-mounted systems. Monitoring, maintenance, and energy budgets will be reviewed as well as the pros and cons of an off grid system. Learn about local and state permitting, regulations and RSAs and what it takes to connect to the grid.

Workshop C — 3:00-4:30

Geothermal 101 — Cashing in on Geothermal

Melissa Aho of Ultra Geothermal, Inc.

Martin Orio of Water Energy Distributors

Join Melissa and Martin as they cover how a geothermal system works, advantages to installing a geothermal system, incentives for installation, and paybacks of the systems. Questions welcome and encouraged!

Track 3: Learning by sharing our stories: Case Studies

Workshop A — 10:30 - 12:00

Remodeling and building to sustainable design standards

Tom Minnon whose 35 year old home in Derry, NH was transformed into a showcase of sustainable design, green products and energy efficiency.

Beth Fischer of Build Green NH (National Green Building Standard)

Tom Palma of Unitil (EnergyStar)

Hilary Harris of The Jordan Institute (LEED)

Join a panel of experts as they share pictures and stories of projects they have built or designed to various Green standards such as LEED, Energy Star, or are just plain economical.

Workshop B — 1:15-2:45

335 Maplewood Ave-History meets Energy Efficiency

Ryan Lacey of Petersen Engineering

Peter Swislosky President, Precision Building Solutions

Ryan and Pete will talk about their adventures in retrofitting a historic building in Portsmouth, NH to reduce the heating load by a projected 85%. Learn how this project showcases techniques & materials that promote both preservation and sustainability. This session will include a slideshow of construction photographs and a live building demonstration that will exhibit techniques used.

For a preview, check out Ryan’s Blog http://petersenengineering.blogspot.com/

Workshop C — 3:00-4:30

The Conversion of a Large Mill Complex into a Place to Live, Learn, and Work: How Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the Keystone to a Green Community

William Strauss of FutureMetrics, LLC.

This presentation is a case study of a real project in which a large mill complex is in the early stages of a conversion to a centrally loaded district heating system. The facility will have a woody biomass CHP plant with sufficient capacity to heat and power the entire complex.

Track 4: Sustainable Progress through Sound Policy

Workshop A — 10:30 - 12:00

Follow the money-Local, State, and Federal Incentive programs for energy efficiency and sustainable energy

Mary Downes of the NH Office of Energy and Planning

Steve Elliott of PSNH

Kate Epsen of NH Public Utilities Commission

This workshop will review the local, state, and federal incentives to help your home become more energy efficient, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money in the process.

Workshop B — 1:15-2:45

Advocacy 101

Jim O’Brien of Conservation NH

Grassroots advocacy is individuals committed to influencing positive changes in their lives, their communities and in their selected governments by making their personal stories and opinions known. Getting involved means calling, writing a letter, sending an email, or even visiting your elected representatives who serve you in the local community, state or even in our nation's capital. Join Jim O’Brien from Conservation NH to learn about effective ways to speak up for what you believe in.

Workshop C — 3:00-4:30

2010 Energy Policy Round-up & What’s in Store for 2011

Rachel Goldwasser of Orr and Reno

Eric Steltzer of the NH Office of Energy and Planning

Representative James Garrity New Hampshire House of Representatives (Atkinson)

Senator Amanda Merrill New Hampshire Senate (Durham)