HomeMy WebLinkAboutNantucket Energy Study Committee Minutes 11-04-2010_201402051117597492 Nantucket Energy Committee
Minutes, meeting on November 4, 2010, 2 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket In attendance were committee members Barbara Gookin, Anne Kuszpa, Mike Burns, Whitey Willauer, Peter Morrison, and H. Flint Ranney. Absent were Chris Magee and Carl Borchert. Also in attendance were consultant Bob Patterson; Professor Dominic Golding of Worcester Poly-technic Institute and seven WPI students who are studying the Smart Grid concept and use of Electric Cars; an Inquirer and Mirror reporter; and Rick Atherton, a Selectman but present only as a citizen. The meeting was called to order by acting chairman Whitey Willauer at 4:35pm. The agenda was ap-proved unanimously. There were no previous minutes. Officers elected unanimously were Chairman: Anne Kuszpa; Vice Chairman, Whitey Willauer; Secre-tary: H. Flint Ranney. Michelle Whelan from Sustainable Nantucket updated members on the Climate Action Plan. A Board of Selectmen vote on moving forward with the plan is expected on November 17. Progress on the Madaket Landfill wind turbine was reported by Whitey Willauer. A large helicopter and a large crane may be required for delivery and setting up of the turbine parts to the Island. Bob Patterson discussed the four proposed solar photovoltaic projects at the Sewer Treatment plant, the Airport, the Wyers Valley pumping station, and the new Polpis water tower. These arrays would be constructed and operated by a developer; savings to the town could approach $1.5 million annu-ally. The goal is to complete installation by May 2011. Barbara Gookin spoke of the new Nantucket High School wind turbine, which is operational but not operating. She was asked by the committee to meet with the School Superintendent and see if he needs NEC support in getting the turbine operating. She will report back at the next NEC meeting on December 2. The WPI Smart Grid group led by Colyer Sigety reported on their initial work on researching other smart grid projects and how we might fit in. They will be here for 5 more weeks. At 6:10pm Secretary Ranney left the meeting and Whitey Willauer took the notes for the remainder of the meeting. The WPI Electric Car group reported on their studies. They have asked what is specific about Nan-tucket. They are looking at various cars. Cape Air is interested in setting up an electric car project. Some ideas included: not charging during peak hours; charging different rates during peak periods;