Eco-Grid (Hudson, New York)
Eco-Grid
Hudson, New York
Website: http://www.eco-grid.org/hudson.html
Mission Statement
Eco-Grid is a Hudson-based non-profit that provides the technical, outreach and management leadership for the development of a renewable-energy system in Hudson, New York. Eco-Grid’s mission contains energy-delivery, education and community-based arms.
Issue Areas – Action Issues
Eco-Grid has entered into a 12-month contract with NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) which will fund a major feasibility (engineering) study of district energy in Hudson, NY. Eco-Grid has already conducted a preliminary analysis of what is known as “district heating and cooling.” This technology is not new; it has been in use in many cities in North America and Europe. District Energy, by definition, includes three distinct elements: a distribution network, customer connections, and one or more heat sources.
ECO-GRID: LOCAL SUPPORT
Eco-Grid’s feasibility study enjoys broad community support, having received letters of endorsement from two local municipalities, which are adjacent to each other (City of Hudson, Town of Greenport); many of the potential anchor energy customers (Hudson Housing Authority, Housing Resources of Columbia County); local economic development corporations (Hudson Development Corporation); Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson; and local environmental and community-based organizations (The Hudson Opera House, Time and Space Limited).
ECO-GRID: IMPLEMENTATION
In moving Eco-Grid forward, the primary components of our research and study include a marketing analysis of energy customers in Hudson/Greenport (heat-load calculations, market interest, and inventory of existing energy systems); site selection analysis; emissions estimation; biomass availability and sourcing options; comparison of different distributed-generation options and preliminary engineering design of a piping network to distribute hot water. To make all of this effective, the study will incorporate reporting, outreach and education, along with a local and New York State Economic Optimization Plan for the above elements.
Student Name and Class Year: Susan Robinson, MS ’08
If you are interested in getting in touch with this student/alum, please contact Caroline Ramaley, [email protected]
