G O G R E E N !
GREEN FIELD ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCE CENTER
The following report, issued in commemoration of Earth Day 2011, reflects on Greenfield’s green traditions and legacy of innovation. It also outlines an exciting prospect for Greenfield involving wind and solar energy with an educational component.
The community of Greenfield has been celebrating its greenness since long before “green energy” became a hot topic.
When the early settlers of Greenfield walked over the hill overlooking Paint Creek and saw all of the beautiful green fields, their dreams for Greenfield began a legacy of working to fulfill those dreams. That legacy still exists today.
Agriculture has played an important role in Greenfield’s history and continues to this day. Area farmers have worked in harmony with nature, trusting that the changing seasons will bring a bountiful harvest in the fullness of time.
Greenfield also has a proud history of innovation. Edward Lee McClain developed horse collar pads that made him wealthy, provided for many jobs and gave the community a beautiful one-of-a-kind high school. An African-American, Fred Patterson, built cars, buses and other vehicles in Greenfield at a time when such an accomplishment seemed impossible. Local entrepreneurs have manufactured oil cans, life-saving nets and display cases for national and international distribution.
Times change and businesses come and go, but the spirit of innovation remains. Matching up needs with creative solutions still provides opportunities for success.
One of our nation’s greatest needs is for energy. Our technological age demands energy, and common sense tells us that traditional sources of energy can be exhausted. National and world leaders are embracing “green” energy sources that are clean and renewable. Local community leaders think they have an answer: the Green Field Alternative Energy Resources Center.
The genesis of this idea dates to early 2010 when Paul McPherson, a Greenfield native and Purdue University graduate student in the area of mechanical engineering and wind energy, reported that wind maps revealed some exciting potential for the community. He said the maps indicated there might be enough wind to turn giant turbines for the generation of electricity.
City Manager Betty Bishop was excited about this prospect and began making inquiries about other types of renewable energy, as well as an educational component. She enlisted the help of local resources like Paul McPherson for wind energy, Mark Hunter for solar energy, a representative of Dayton Power & Light, Southern State Community College President Dr. Kevin Boys, and other city officials and interested citizens for a kick-off meeting on April 22, 2010 – Earth Day.
The meeting received an enthusiastic response from those who attended. They were told that some of Greenfield’s 220-acre industrial park could be set aside for wind, solar and other energy development and study.
“This project is an attempt to revitalize the local economy and be an example for cities throughout the Midwest at how a small town can become more self-sustaining for both revenue stream and energy production,” McPherson said. “This project also has the potential to be a model for how government, education and private sector can work together to develop a stronger community."
The educational component of the project could encompass research as well as training for those who are seeking careers in the energy business. Engineering, construction, maintenance of systems, and the science behind the production of energy are all important to the future of our country. Piezoelectric strips, Bloom boxes, thermal heat pumps and battery technology are just some of the energy topics that could be studied at the Green Field Alternative Energy Resource Center.
Members of Greenfield City Council, community leaders and educators have expressed support for the idea, and studies have commenced to help determine the feasibility of the project.
With the help of a grant from the Ohio Department of Economic Development, a meteorological tower was erected on the hill at the Greenfield industrial park in December 2010. The purpose of the met tower is to measure wind speeds at various heights for one year to determine the feasibility of generating electricity from wind turbines on the site. Instruments on the tower measure wind speeds at 20, 40 and 60 meters above the ground. Data files are collected weekly and sent to Green Energy Ohio for analysis.
In December 2010, city representatives visited a wind farm in Indiana to get a better idea of the size, scale and science in such a project.
Greenfield’s timing appears to be very good. Utility companies face legislative mandates to gradually increase the percentage of power that they generate from renewable and advanced energy sources. The bar is currently set at 25% by the year 2025.
The high unemployment rate in Greenfield and Highland County, the availability of a development site and opportunities afforded by existing technology all make this an attractive idea to community leaders. Hopefully grant funding or other financing will be available to push the project along, with an eventual payoff in jobs, energy and knowledge that could help shape a bright future for Greenfield.
The community has gotten behind green energy in big and small ways. The city of Greenfield, along with Dayton Power and Light did a project called “light up Greenfield” where over 75 volunteers went up and down every street in the city and gave two energy saving light bulbs to every household. While southern Ohio has been going through tough economic times, the light bulbs symbolize hope, resolve and a willingness to embrace the new reality of energy conservation.
“The city is in the process of having the lighting in and around the city building, at the wastewater treatment plant, and the pumping station evaluated for green energy savings,” City Manager Betty Bishop reported. “We stress to our citizens to keep Greenfield Green. In our Green Field Alternative Energy Resource and Education Center proposal we propose to set up a complete study of research and development of all forms of green energy.”
Reports about the city’s interest in green energy have also attracted interest from companies interested in working with or locating in Greenfield. One such company now calling Greenfield home is Visibly Green, whose CEO holds many patents and has some exciting ideas about products and services that could enhance Greenfield’s future.
Likewise, the talk of green energy has resulted in many calls and visits by businesses and agencies interested in learning more about Greenfield and the opportunities here. Before all this came up, there was little outside interest in our community.
The Ohio University Voinovich Center awarded the city of Greenfield a grant for a study to evaluate possibilities for the future growth of the city. Out of that study has emerged Greening Greater Greenfield (G3), an energized group with a vision for the future of this “Greene Countrie Towne.”
The vision for this group is to make GREENFIELD a Great Rural Economical and Environmental Neighbor to all.
Green energy and innovation are key components of the planning process by G3, while also embracing the community’s rich history and recreational opportunities, relaxed and affordable lifestyle, excellent school system, access to health care and other assets.
“As we celebrate Earth Day 2011, we are continuing our journey on an exciting road that will lead to greater opportunity and more abundant living for our citizens,” Bishop said.
GREENING GREATER GREENFIELD (G3)
Greening Greater Greenfield, also known as G3, is an informal organization dedicated to improving life in and around Greenfield, Ohio.
The group first convened on Nov. 18, 2010 as part of a project with the George Voinovich School of Ohio University called REAP (Regional Economic Adjustment Program). The early sessions were facilitated by Robert Gordon and Zachary Holl of the Voinovich School, who helped guide us through evaluation of strengths and weaknesses of the community, brainstorming, agreement on the geographical territory involved, and through the establishment of goals, a mission statement and a vision for the community. Greenfield City Manager Betty Bishop invited a core group of area citizens to take part in the process.
The brainstorming was particularly interesting as participants discovered or rediscovered many wonderful qualities about the Greenfield area. With its rich history, natural beauty and easy access to recreational sites, it became apparent that Greenfield is a special place with many unique qualities.
During the visioning and planning process many small steps have been taken towards the goals of G3. Part of that purpose is simply to communicate information about events and attractions that already are part of the community and network with other individuals and organizations. Through these collaborations, members of G3 have taken part in Greenfield Clean Up Day, planted flowers downtown, brought back the old “Greene Countrie Towne” logo, arranged for banners to be flown downtown, sponsored the inaugural Greenfield Oktoberfest and encouraged residents to light up Greenfield "green" for the holidays.
G3 supports Greenfield’s efforts to become a “Green” community through the feasibility study of wind energy at the Industrial Park, the installation of solar panels at the water treatment plant, the “Light Up Greenfield” project and the project you will hear more about this evening. In addition, G3 is helping to shape Greenfield’s identity as a community that welcomes innovation and creative thinking. The arrival of the company known as Visibly Green in Greenfield is an example of this. These entrepreneurs are full of creative ideas and need a supportive environment in which to work. Greenfield, Ohio is that place!
Through a combination of practical, inspirational and just plain fun activities like the Greenfield Oktoberfest, G3 strives to enhance business, education, recreation and a “green and clean” lifestyle in this unique and wonderful community.
GREENFIELD ENERGY SOLUTIONS (GES)
Greenfield Energy Solutions is a subcommittee of G3, formed to focus more specifically on green energy and conservations issues within the community. GES wants to educate citizens of Greenfield concerning energy savings and is endeavoring to have all homes in the Greenfield area evaluated for energy efficiency. Those homes needing insulation and other enhancements to improve energy efficiency and lower utility bills will be earmarked for weatherization or other projects. GES is working collaboratively with Highland County Community Action and other organizations to achieve the desired results. Where possible, grant money is being sought to fund the improvements.
Several members of the GES committee have volunteered to be trained so that they can participate in the energy assessment process for local residences.
In addition to helping local residents save on their utility bills, this project could serve as a model for other communities hoping for similar benefits for their citizens. With that goal in mind, Greenfield is partnering with Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) and looks forward to exciting developments in 2012.
GES chosen for pilot program on energy efficiency
Greenfield Energy Solutions (GES) has been chosen as one of only three pilot cities in Ohio to develop new social marketing strategies that will bring increased energy efficiency to local households. GES hopes to bring increased awareness of the many benefits of energy efficiency to Greenfield residents. The organization will also act as a point-organization for homeowners by helping them identify the best ways to upgrade their home. The partnership with GES is part of an Ohio Development of Development program to educate homeowners on energy efficiency options and the incentives available. Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy is overseeing the state-guided program.
Founded in 2011, GES is a local grassroots non-profit organization all volunteer staff is dedicated to maximizing the energy efficiency of Greenfield residences, with a particular focus on low-income housing. GES mission statement: To educate and promote the ideas of saving energy, money and protecting the environment of Greater Greenfield to the citizens of Greenfield.
With the help of OPAE, GES will train four Energy Assessors and a number of Energy Ambassadors who will work one-on-one with Greenfield residents to identify the best ways to make their homes more efficient. Additionally, the Energy Assessors and Energy Ambassadors will be able to help residents understand and choose among the many free and reduced-rate programs already available that target heating, insulation, and other large-scale projects.
"All of us want our homes to be healthy and efficient,” says committee chair of GES Sam Bowers, "and to be able to save money. But it's not always obvious to the average person what the problem is, what needs fixing, or how to do it. This program will empower our community to help themselves and each other," Bowers said. “Not only will we be able to save money on our energy bills but we will also reduce the carbon footprint as well.”
Links to green sites:
Green Energy Ohio
http://www.greenenergyohio.org/page.cfm?pageID=3
Visibly Green
http://visiblygreen.com/
Plug Smart
http://www.plugsmart.com/
Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy
http://www.ohiopartners.org/