Cape Wind

By Carrie Havey

Cape Wind Associates LLC, is about to begin construction on

Image credit: wikipedia.org

 their wind farm in Nantucket Sound. Cape Wind has secured all its permits and is putting together financing for the project. Cape Wind plans to have 130 turbines with a maximum production of 454 megawatts, 5.6 miles from Cotuit on Cape Cod. The average expected production will be 174 megawatts, which is almost 75% of the 230 megawatt average electricity demand for Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

A second wind project is now on the scene. Deepwater Wind has won a competitive lease auction to develop two offshore wind energy sites. This was the first-ever auction held by the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for commercial offshore wind development. It will total more than 164,000 acres and will be located approximately 17 miles south of the Cape. Deepwater's sites will produce enough energy to power approximately 350,000 homes and displace over 1.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Most of Deepwater's turbines will be located 20 to 25 miles from land. 

To learn more, see http://www.capewind.org

and http://www.dwwind.com

(Excerpted from the USGBC MA August 2013 Newsletter)

Cape Cod Hurricane Category 3 Flood Model

By John Gravelin, Linnean Solution

Image Courtesy of  John Gravelin, Linnean Solutions

This image of Cape Cod represents a Category 3 Hurricane flood model under ‘perfect’ storm conditions during an average (mean) tide. The flood layer was obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory. The hurricane model is referred to as Sea, Lake and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH).

The SLOSH models account for several variables of hurricanes, including the intensity of a storm, forward speed, storm trajectory, and initial tide levels based on observations from previous events. NOAA runs several hundred hurricane models over an area like New England and develops a ‘Maximum Envelope of Water’ or a baseline of flooding per hurricane category. NOAA also provides a flood model that represents “the worst case scenario for a given category of storm under ‘perfect’ storm conditions,” and takes the maximum of the variables above.

This image of Cape Cod represents the maximum flood damage possible under ‘perfect’ storm conditions. Areas in dark blue are most susceptible to flooding (particularly along the southeastern and northern shoreline of the Cape) and areas of light blue are least susceptible (seen around the southwestern part of the Cape towards Rhode Island). Even the least susceptible areas are vulnerable to flooding under certain storm conditions, and proper planning should consider ways to mitigate damage.

For more on how the NOAA calculates hurricane flooding, see “How is storm surge forecast at NHC.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory.http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/F7.html

For more on historic storms and paths see “Historical Hurricane Tracks.” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. http://csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/

(Excerpted from the USGBC MA August 2013 Newsletter)

An Energy Committee strategy that seeks to maximize the solar power generation for the Town of Wellfleet

By Marcus Springer; Linnean Solutions, Springer Architects, Town of Wellfleet Energy Committee

The fundamental purpose of Wellfleet Solar is to drastically lower or eliminate Wellfleet’s carbon footprint.  Through maximizing the solar power generation in town, Wellfleet can realize a zero net energy future. This will serve to greatly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and our use of fossil fuels.  This in turn will have a positive effect on our shellfish economy, watershed and financial stability.

The strategy to maximize and expedite solar installation is to create a Solar Map of the town of Wellfleet. We are doing this through a privately funded project, performed by Mapdwell (www.mapdwell.com). In conjunction with the obvious benefits of a totally solar powered town the result will serve to educate and inform the residents, businesses and Town government of the benefits of renewable energy and the efficiencies that are created by its adoption ranging from the environmental to the economic. 

This is a LIDAR map of Wellfleet  illustrating the potential town roof structures. Image courtesy of Mapdwell.

We plan to have a Solar Map in place by the end of 2013 after which we will monitor and facilitate the installation of solar power on the rooftops of Wellfleet residential, commercial and Town owned structures. For installation we will either go through the MA CEC “solarize” program or create a “solar challenge” similar to the Town of Stowe. These two procurement routes allow for greatly reduced pricing on a tiered system depending on how many installations we can sign up.  This, in combination with the newly funded SREC program (1600MW), the 30% Federal Tax credit (sunsets in 2017) and the accelerated depreciation for commercial owners, should make installation of Solar PV pretty attractive.

(Excerpted from the USGBC MA August 2013 Newsletter)

USGBC MA Cape & Islands Interest Group

by Adam Prince

Over the last year the USGBC Cape & Islands Interest Group focused on core goals of education, networking, and experience as decided by its members. Keeping these goals in mind, the group's events are curated to offer significant value to attendees. 

Our next event is “A LEED for Homes Under-Construction Tour”. Come view a new house currently under construction in Brewster, and review sections of the LEED checklist. Targeting LEED Gold, the home is weather tight and nearing insulation installation. Designed by Jill Neubauer Architects and built by Cape Associates, staff from each will be on hand to discuss project challenges, the LEED checklist, and specific LEED credits.  Event sponsored by Jill Neubauer Architects. 

Date: September 24th at 5PM in Brewster, MA.  RSVPs are required. Please email aprince@zeroenergy.com and property address will be shared upon RSVP confirmation.  

PAST EVENTS

Passive House Tour. After a viewing one of the few certified Passive Houses in the US, architect Steve Baczek presented an overview the home's design, construction, and performance attributes. Event Partners - Green Drinks Cape Cod & Sotheby's International Realty.  Event Sponsor - Cape Cod Five.

Beyond Energy Audits. Cape Light Compact presented on the organizations residential and commercial energy efficiency initiatives, including energy monitoring, heat pump hot water heaters, and the newest incarnation of the deep energy retrofit program. Event Partner - BSA Cape & Islands Network. Event Sponsor - Cape Associates.

IFAW Tour.  A guided tour and presentation was provided by Boston-based designLAB architects of the LEED Gold certified International Foundation for Animal Welfare Headquarters Building. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment selected IFAW’s headquarters building as one of the 2009 top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design. Event Partners - BSA Cape & Islands Network, and Green Drinks Cape Cod. Event Sponsor - A.W. Hastings.

FUTURE EVENTS

Event curation is in process for a winter event held in partnership with the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, as well as a future tour of a mixed use (residential & commercial) project seeking LEED-NC certification. If you have suggestions for future events for the USGBC Cape & Islands Interest Group, please email mhcole@capeassociates.com oraprince@zeroenergy.com.

(Excerpted from the USGBC MA August 2013 Newsletter)

How does water quality on Cape Cod relate to LEED?

-Paul Brown

Why is water quality particularly important on Cape Cod?  Because groundwater is the only source of fresh water on the Cape; and most areas of the Cape have no municipal sewage treatment or sewers. Most homes and many commercial properties treat their waste in on-site septic systems. If these systems are improperly designed, or poorly maintained, or otherwise performing badly, they risk  pumping high levels of nitrates into the groundwater, and even possibly other more dangerous bacterial contaminants.

The groundwater aquifer on Cape Cod is recharged solely by rainwater. It feeds the many freshwater ponds on the cape, and ultimately flows to the sea. Nitrates can feed algae blooms in the water, which can consume the oxygen in the water, negatively impacting marine life.

What steps can individuals take to protect water quality on the Cape?

Homeowners are obligated to comply with system inspection requirements upon transfer of ownership of the property. In addition, homeowners should be careful to use and maintain the system correctly. Minimizing the volume of water put into the system, using environmentally friendly cleaning agents, and never disposing of oil-based products into the septic system, are all basic. Designers should ensure that systems are properly designed for the specific soil and groundwater conditions on-site, without cutting any corners. 

How does LEED interact with the need to protect Water Quality on the Cape?

Basic LEED principals, overlapping between various credit categories and specific credits, emphasize the need to reduce levels of potable water consumption as much as possible, to prevent excessive surface run-off, to encourage proper aquifer recharge, and to prevent contaminants from leaching into groundwater.  Specifically, Credit WE 2, Innovative Wastewater Technologies, Option 2, rewards treating 50% or more of wastewater on-site to tertiary standards, with onsite infiltration or re-use.

(Excerpted from the USGBC MA August 2013 Newsletter)

Sources:

http://www.sustaincapecod.org/indicators/WaterQuality

http://www.msue.msu.edu/objects/content_revision/download.cfm/revision_id.499684/workspace_id.-4/01500606.html/  (Michigan State University Extension Service)

LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System USGBC Member Approved November 2008 (Updated April 2013)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewage_treatment