Governor Chafee and RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes Announce $2.7 Million in Renewable Energy Grants

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October 27, 2011 | Print this page | Share This |

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Executive Director Keith Stokes today announced $2.7 million in new grants through the RIEDC’s Renewable Energy Fund (REF) that will help accelerate 16 renewable energy projects with combined private and public investments totaling $5.7 million.

The new grants will support a wide range of Rhode Island businesses, municipalities, non-profits and housing/residential projects designed to boost energy efficiency with the installation of renewable energy systems or conduct feasibility studies to identify clean energy development opportunities around the state. All projects must be completed by March 1, 2012.

“These funds will provide a valuable resource for businesses, local governments and community development organizations to help them operate more efficiently and cost effectively and evaluate renewable energy solutions that will benefit Rhode Island residents, the environment and help businesses succeed in our state,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said.

“With the strategic deployment of these new grants, we are supporting some exciting projects that will strengthen the state’s leadership in renewable energy development, fuel job creation and retention and lower electricity costs for Rhode Island businesses and homeowners,” said RIEDC Executive Director Keith Stokes.

“With some of the most cohesive and comprehensive legislation in the nation and a dedicated financing mechanism, Rhode Island is now at the forefront of renewable energy development that not only protects our environment but also helps grow our economy,” said State Representative Deborah Ruggiero, who was instrumental in developing and helping to pass a legislative package to make the state more competitive in renewable energy.   

The grants are a result of federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to help states advance renewable energy development and assist businesses in lowering their energy costs. The funds are part of the state’s recently established Business Energy Assistance Program (BEAP) announced by Governor Chafee this past August. The BEAP is a partnership between the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) and the RIEDC to effectively and efficiently disburse federal renewable energy funding into Rhode Island communities.

Grants were awarded through a publically announced proposal solicitation process managed by the RIEDC’s Renewable Energy Fund. A team made up of RIEDC and REF staff and representatives from the RIEDC Board of Directors, OER and the Governor’s Office reviewed the proposals and made financing recommendations to support the best qualified projects.  The REF is responsible for administering the grants. 

Grant Recipients

•             West Broadway Neighborhood Association, Providence, R.I. - $500,000

•             Newport Biodiesel, Newport, R.I. - $365,775

•             Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island, Cumberland, R.I. - $339,870

•             Solect Energy – on behalf of the Town of Coventry, R.I. - $325,000

•             Tiffany and Company, Cumberland, R.I. – 250,000

•             Business Innovation Factory, Providence, R.I. - $167,500

•             GWH Ph II, LLC, Lincoln, R.I. - $130,000

•             Alteris Renewables, Providence, R.I. - $125,750

•             Chafee Ctr. for International Business at Bryant University, Smithfield, R.I. - $123,244

•             Town of Jamestown, R.I. -$111,775

•             City of East Providence, R.I. - $100,000

•             Omni Development Corporation, Providence, R.I. - $74,000

•             Island Solar – Jamestown, R.I. - $49,931

•             Washington County Regional Planning Council, Westerly, R.I. – $22,000

•             Waterfalls Quick Lube, Inc., Central Falls, R.I. - $20,003

•             Tyde Farm – West Kingstown, R.I. - $18,311

Project Descriptions – Municipal

Solect Energy – on behalf of the Town of Coventry, R.I.

Grant: $325,000 for the installation of a 125 kW solar PV system, utilizing a municipal Power Purchase Agreement            

The Town of Coventry is seeking to install a 125 kW solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the roof of their Town Hall Annex. The system will be net metered in accordance with the recently passed Rhode Island State Net Metering rules for public-private partnerships. In addition to directly lowering the energy payments for the Town, this project is expected to generate over $187,500 in direct labor wages, the majority of which will be spent on Rhode Island workers.

City of East Providence, R.I.

Grant: $100,000 for predevelopment expenses associated with the development of the city’s proposed 10 MW solar farm located on the former Forbes Street Landfill

The City of East Providence is currently developing a utility-scale solar installation at a 220- acre municipal site that includes a 70-acre closed municipal landfill. The Forbes Street solar system could be one of the largest solar facilities in New England. The power generated from this facility will go to directly offset the utility expense of the City, while also providing the further benefit of returning a brownfield property which has been fallow since 1980 to productive use. 

Town of Jamestown, R.I.

Grant: $117,775 for a wind feasibility study and pre-development support

The Town of Jamestown is seeking to complete the predevelopment activities for their planned 1.5 mW wind turbine project and position the Town to execute agreements with the appropriate wind developer and complete the project.

Washington County Regional Planning Council – Westerly, R.I.

Grant: $22,000 to complete the interconnect studies for potential renewable energy projects at the Westerly Landfill

The Town of Westerly has been actively trying to develop renewable energy within the town, primarily exploring the options for large scale solar PV and wind.  Working with the Washington County Regional Planning Council (WCRPC), the town has identified its former closed and capped landfill as its premier site. In preparing for development of the site, the town is seeking to continue making progress on several pre-development activities, most importantly at this stage, its feasibility and interconnection studies on the site for their proposed renewable energy projects.

Project Descriptions – Non-Profit

Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island – Cumberland, R.I.

Grant: $339, 870 for an installation of a 108 kW solar PV system on a commercial office building

EDFRI is a private, non‐profit development company, focusing on developing high‐value business parks throughout Rhode Island as a means to attract new investment and jobs to the state. EDFRI is now investing in a new flex‐building project at 1700 Highland Corporate Drive in Cumberland, RI which can house up to four individual businesses. The building is designed to LEED standards and represents some of the highest quality flex business space on the market. EDFRI will install a solar PV system at the site which is estimated to provide more than 53 percent of the building’s annual energy needs. 

Business Innovation Factory – Providence, R.I.

Grant: $167,500 for an in-depth study into the current behaviors and experience of commercial energy users

The Business Innovation Factory (BIF) is will conduct an in-depth study into the current behaviors and experience of commercial energy users, resulting in analysis that will provide policymakers a deeper understanding of the commercial users’ energy experience in order to support the development of more effective energy policy, programs and solutions. 

Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University – Smithfield, R.I.

Grant: $123,244 to complete a “Net-Zero” energy feasibility study across RI’s public high school facilities

The BRITE energy team, housed in the Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, is seeking to undertake a comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy review of every public high school in the state.  The goal is to produce a “roadmap” for these schools to get as close as possible to a “Net Zero Energy” building.

Project Descriptions – Housing/Residential

West Broadway Neighborhood Association – Providence, R.I.

Grant: $500,000 to implement the “West Side Solar” program – a neighborhood based group purchase and install of residential solar PV

WBNA, a neighborhood advocacy group representing over 250 households and businesses on Providence’s West Side, is sponsoring “West Side Solar”, a neighborhood-wide solar PV bulk purchase and installation program. The program is a first of its kind legal and organizational structure in which a neighborhood group purchase program could be developed. 

The average system size is expected cover approximately 60-80 percent of the electricity used by a typical residence in the neighborhood. The savings produced will go directly back to the home and business owners of the system, with the anticipation that these savings will ultimately be re-invested back into the local community.

Alteris Renewables – Providence, R.I.

Grant: $125,750 to aggregate and install 50 kW of solar PV on up to nine residential projects

Alteris Renewables, a local renewable energy design and installation Company has identified nine residential applications for solar PV systems. This project is in response to the REF’s goal to aggregate projects in order to capitalize on economies of scale not typically found in individual small scale installation. The renewable energy produced from this project will reduce the energy bills of Rhode Island residents over the 30-year lifetime of the systems.

This project will not only support the nine residences but will also strengthen Alteris’ ability to remain competitive in Rhode Island, as well as maintain and grow staffing annually to provide additional job opportunities to state residents.

Omni Development Corporation – Providence, R.I.

Grant: $74,000 for the installation of a total of 19.9 kW of solar PV across scattered site affordable housing units

Omni Development Corporation, a local community and affordable housing development corporation, is currently developing the Phoenix Housing Development, which involves the total rehab of 17 dilapidated buildings in the West End of Providence. In addition, several buildings that are deemed beyond repair will be demolished and replaced with nine newly constructed ones. When completed, 83 apartment units in 26 buildings will be available for rental to lower income families. 

The renewable energy grant funds will allow for the installation of four solar PV power arrays.  The power produced from this system will reduce the energy bills for operating these multi-family apartment buildings.

Island Solar – Jamestown, R.I.

Grant: $49,931 to aggregate and install solar PV and solar hot water systems on up to six residential projects

Island Solar, a local renewable energy design and installation company has identified six residential applications for solar PV and solar hot water systems. This project is in response to the REF’s goal to aggregate projects in order to capitalize on economies of scale not typically found in individual small scale installation. The renewable energy produced from this project will reduce the energy bills of Rhode Island residents. Island Solar is a small, local renewable energy contractor, utilizing all local labor for the project.

Project Descriptions - Commercial

Newport Biodiesel – Newport, R.I.

Grant: $365,775 for expansion of their current bio-diesel manufacturing and processing facility

Newport Biodiesel, LLC (NBD) is a local producer of biodiesel derived from Waste Vegetable Oil (WVO) collected from a network of restaurants. The company is seeking to expand their current processing facility to accommodate the current demand for biodiesel in Rhode Island.

Tiffany and Company – Cumberland, R.I.

Grant: $250,000 for a 248 kW solar PV installation

Jeweler and specialty retailer Tiffany and Company seeks to install a 248,820-watt roof‐mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) power system at its manufacturing facility in Cumberland. The project will produce significant savings for the company and is a vital

part of its efforts to control energy costs and represents a long‐term commitment to retaining  the company’s presence in Rhode Island.

GWH Ph II, LLC – Lincoln, R.I.

Grant: $130,000 for the installation of a 40 kW solar PV system on a commercial office building

GWH Ph II, LLC (GWH) is currently completing the development of new commercial office space, for lease, located at 640 George Washington Highway.  This is the 3rd phase of the commercial office park, in which GWH is seeking to install a 40kW solar photovoltaic system.  This system is expected to reduce the overall operating expenses of the building and make it more competitive in a lease market. 

Waterfalls Quick Lube, Inc. - Central Falls, R.I.

Grant: $20,003 for design and installation of a 6 kW rooftop solar PV system

Waterfalls Quick Lube is a local automotive service center in Central Falls, R.I. that is also expanding its facilities to several other locations across the state. As a small business, this company has directly felt the effects of the local economy, which includes rising fuel and motor oil costs. The company has yet to pass on these increases to its customer base and has been seeking other cost saving measures to counter this effect. One such measure is the installation of a solar PV system. Savings from this system will reduce the operating costs for this business.

Tyde Farm – West Kingstown, R.I.

Grant: $18,311 for the installation of a 7.5 kW solar PV system

Tyde Farm, a potato farm, is seeking to install a 7.5 kW solar PV system to offset their utility costs at the site.  The proposed system is expected to provide up to 100% of the farm’s energy needs, making the farm almost completely self-reliant for electrical power.  The solar system is also expected to serve as a marketing tool, drawing in customers who are specifically attracted to the sustainable way in which the food is grown.