Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Alex and his team have created a testing environment that's capable of demonstrating
the true potential of clean energy for island economies. The test bay, as they call it, is a
warehouse on the outskirts of Berlin, inside of which they can simulate in real time both
the weather on an island and the electricity usage by its population. As part of the feas-
ibility analysis for a renewable-energy microgrid to be built on an island, Alex's team
runs a “dress rehearsal” of the wind- and solar-energy inputs through the scale model of
an island's electricity system. It also monitors the inhabitants' ability to meet the load or
demand for electricity in various situations. For example, if a tree on the island falls and
takes down a power cable, the disruption to the transmission grid will be reflected in the
test exercise in Berlin as the team seeks to maintain uptime there with renewable-energy
inputs. This incredible capability has been used to pitch utilities that service islands such
asGraziosaintheAzores,wheretheutilitiescanimplementapower-purchaseagreement
with Younicos to provide the island's electricity supply.
Alex's vision of displacing diesel-based electric supply on some island with a solar
solution,combiningbatterystorageandenergyefficiency,shouldinspireyou.It'saneco-
nomic no-brainer, though the challenge here is financing the projects on all the islands
that should switch out diesel for juice straight from the sun.
Alisa Gravitz: Partnering for a Green America
SomeoneelsewhosawthelightearlyinthisjourneyisAlisaGravitz,whowenttoWash-
ington,DC,inthe1970sduringtheCarteradministrationtoworkonthepromiseofsolar
energy, which was just starting to be realized. Like many in that era, she probably ex-
perienced somewhat of a false start in a career building the sunshine-based grid that we
know now is possible. She stuck with it, however, forging a fantastic nonprofit in the
1990s known then as Co-Op America and now called Green America.
In 2001 I worked with Alisa on a series of reports on solar potential throughout the
United States, in particular California, through the research and advisory firm Clean
Edge,whileIwasdirectoroftheCleanEnergyNowcampaignatGreenpeaceUSA.Alisa
has continued her collaboration with solar companies as well as her advocacy, most re-
cently with Sungevity.org, which we set up in early 2011. This is a group marketing ef-
fort that spreads our solar lease product while supporting groups that champion the solar
economy. We pay them with our marketing-allocation budget for referrals if they help
their constituents go solar, and this effort has raised $400,000 for Alisa's organization
and other nonprofits.
Green America members who go solar host parties to tell their friends and neighbors
how cool it is. We pay Green America if any of those partygoers join the Rooftop Re-
volution. Like good organizers, Alisa and her base are also building power for the next
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