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High Sierra Energy Summit

Mammoth Campus

August 13 – 17

This comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy institute includes sessions on solar, wind, geothermal and hydrogen energy as well as green building an d green transportation. Energy issues, including economics, policy, regulation and marketing will be examined. Each day, morning lectures discussing environmental issues such as global warming, ozone depletion and greenhouse effects will put energy sources and uses into perspective. Students will also gain from local case studies and examples as well as energy plant tours, green building tours, and other activities. Sign up for ELEC C099, CRN 50903

To register, call our Bishop campus (760) 872-1565 or sign up online www.cerrocoso.edu.

The High Sierra Energy Summit meets Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM with optional activities and events on the evenings of Monday, August 13, Tuesday, August 14 and Wednesday, August 15. Special optional events will also take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 18 & 19. The cost of the program is $40 for California residents.

The schedule of the High Sierra Energy Summit is as follows:

Schedule
 

Details

Monday, August 13

Monday 8:30 – 10:15 AM

Putting Energy in Perspective, Part I

A Story of Sun and Earth: The earth only receives 1 two billionth of the sun's energy, yet it's sufficient to warm our planet to sustain life. We'll unveil the secrets behind how the sun produces its energy through nuclear fusion. Since the sun produces gamma rays, x-rays, ultra-violet, infra-red, radio, as well as visible light, we'll look into the nature of electromagnetic energy and the earth's energy balance. After all, the earth must eventually radiate the same amount of energy it receives. That's energy balance, and it ultimately controls our weather and our entire biological environment.

Ron Smith, as a career instructor, has taught astronomy and meteorology for over 34 years in the California Community College system. In addition to college level teaching, Mr. Smith worked as a lecturer at the Griffith Observatory. He also joined the San Francisco State tornado chase team for 3 years during the 1990's. While retired from full time instruction, Mr. Smith continues to enjoy active participation in local community events. He frequently presents scientific programs to the White Mountain Institute, the local public schools, and to the local Audubon and Sierra Club chapters. His diverse academic background has allowed him to also teach speech at Cerro Coso College. He holds two Masters degrees, one in speech and the other in astronomy. As an undergraduate at the University of Southern California, he acquired a minor in climatology. He pursued this interest by auditing 12 units of graduate Meteorology at San Francisco State while writing a lab textbook in weather and climate.

Monday 10:15 – 12:00

The Big Energy Picture: Sources & Uses

Renewables and energy efficiency are both parts of the energy puzzle. Ted Flanigan will put the pieces together and try to explain the roles of all the players.

Ted Flanigan is the President of EcoMotion Inc., a Southern California-based energy and environmental consulting firm that fosters sustainable energy development. For the past 25 years, Flanigan has been advocating smart and responsible energy management, working within two major electric utilities – New York Power Authority and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power – and providing strategic consulting services for utilities, cities, NGOs, and others across the country, and in many foreign countries. He served as the Energy Program Director for Rocky Mountain Institute; then he was funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to research most successful efficiency and green power strategies. As Director of IRT Environment, Flanigan was in the original consulting team for ICLEI’s Urban CO2 Reduction Project, linking and developing strategies, policies, and programs for major North American and European cities from Portland to Helsinki. He was Managing Director of The Energy Coalition, designing and implementing successful and innovative efficiency and demand response partnerships for SCE, PG&E, SCG, and SDG&E. Currently, Flanigan and EcoMotion are implementing Solar Santa Monica, while helping to launch Palm Desert SOLAR, programs that aim to couple efficiency and renewable energy while educating the public for long-term and major transformations.

Monday 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Will Solar Energy be in Everyone's Future?

Solar is a straightforward technology complicated by myth, economics and regulation. Russell will talk about how to make sure solar is part of our future.

Russell Flanigan moved from Vermont to California in 2005 to take on the responsibility for an on-site residential and business energy efficiency program for The Energy Coalition. Prior to that, he was involved in real estate management and construction for over 15 years. As a property owner and manager in a severe north-eastern climate, he became knowledgeable in energy options, coordinated crews and subcontractors, was responsible for permits, and dealt effectively with tenants. He also worked as a high-end renovation contractor for Perkins Smith, Inc., specializing in custom cabinetry. Flanigan was also a professional musician, touring with the Jalapeño brothers and leading the Russ Flanigan Band. As a result of his experience in the entertainment industry, he was uniquely qualified to assist Ted Flanigan in developing EcoMotion’s multi-media presentations in the ‘90s and brings this same sense of timing, style and audience involvement to current EcoMotion activities. In past years, Flanigan managed over 3,500 in-home audits, and effectively brought together and coordinated the activities of fifteen community agencies to carry out two hugely successful “efficiency makeover” demonstration projects. He is currently heading up field implementation for Solar Santa Monica.

Monday 7:00 – 8:30 PM

Keynote Speaker

Gene will address several broad issues, including the role of the regulated utility in stimulating energy efficiency; renewable portfolio standards and how they relate to overall supply requirements; and how local communities play a key part of the implementation process.

Gene Rodrigues is the Director of Energy Efficiency for Southern California Edison Company. Southern California Edison is one of the largest investor-owner utilities in the United States, serving 13 million customers across a 50,000 square mile service territory. For the last six years, Southern California Edison has partnered with its customers to save more electricity through energy efficiency programs than any other utility in the nation. As Director of Energy Efficiency, Gene oversees all aspects of policy, planning, operations, measurement & evaluation, and regulatory support for SCE’s portfolio of Energy Efficiency, Low Income Energy Efficiency and Rate Assistance, California Solar Initiative, and Self Generation Incentive programs. Mr. Rodrigues serves on the boards of a number of energy efficiency-related organizations, including the Consortium for Energy Efficiency and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. He also serves as SCE’s representative to the Alliance to Save Energy. In addition, Gene serves in leadership capacities on state and national energy policy initiatives such as California’s Green Building Initiative and the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. Gene received his Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northern Arizona University. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Tuesday, August 14

Tuesday 8:30 – 10:15 AM

Putting Energy in Perspective, Part II

Elements of Weather: What are the factors that scientists consider when describing weather? Temperature and humidity seem obvious, but the weather factors also include precipitation, cloud cover, visibility, wind speed, wind direction, solar energy, and air pressure. We'll examine each one, how they are measured, and what are typical local weather patterns and concerns.

Ron Smith (see above for biography)

Tuesday 10:15 – 12:00 Noon

Simple Steps to Household Efficiency

Energy savings begin at home and if everyone did their best to be efficient, it would have a huge impact on our energy needs. Russell will explain the simple steps to get there.

Russell Flanigan (see above for biography)

Tuesday 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Blowing in the Wind

Wind potential is huge in the United States, but often inhibited by costs and location. Bill teaches in Denmark several months a year and will share the success of their community-based wind systems.

William Glassley has more than 30 years of experience in earth sciences research and R&D management. He served for 10 years on the faculty of Middlebury College before joining Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in 1986. At Livermore he acted as project manager for several research projects involved with predicting the long-term behavior of geological systems. While in that capacity, he provided technical comments and reviews to National Academy of Science review boards and panels and European Union Scientific Research Committees and established collaborative programs with European, Japanese, Australian and New Zealand research groups. In 2005 he began working for the California Energy Commission on renewable energy. His research interests center on renewable energy sources, as well the role of geochemical processes in establishing and stabilizing continents and early life. Dr. Glassley has more than numerous publications in international scientific journals. He is an Emeritus Visiting Professor at the University of Århus, Denmark. He has a BA from the UC San Diego, and a MSc and PhD from the University of Washington in geochemistry.

Tuesday 7:00 – 8:30 PM

  Forest Service: Green & Getting Greener

The Inyo National Forest celebrates 100 years of land stewardship and conservation here in the Eastern Sierra. Hear about a local agency’s efforts to use less energy and increase public awareness.

Garry Oye is a District Ranger on the Inyo National Forest and has a BA and MA in Forestry from the University of Montana. He is working to reduce the environmental footprint of Forest Service facilities and operations. Oye has been working with the US Department of Energy to evaluate the potential for installing photovoltaic systems at Ranger Stations and Visitor Centers along the eastern Sierra. The new Visitor Center in Lone Pine has a ground source heat pump that uses the earth’s temperature to heat and cool the building. The Inyo National Forest is working with Sierra Conservation Project to increase recycling and reduce waste. Rangers now have two Ford Escape Hybrids that provide higher mileage and reduced emissions. Two utility service providers (Southern California Edison and Los Angeles Department of Water & Power) are conducting energy audits at Forest facilities. Oye is exploring opportunities to finance energy efficiency upgrades through UESCs and ESPCs. Forest Service buildings are getting high efficiency HVAC systems, Low E windows and T-8 fluorescent bulbs. The Inyo National Forest is also home to SCE Hydropower plants and a Mammoth Pacific Geothermal power plant that together generate 68 megawatts of electricity.

Wednesday, August 15

Wednesday 8:30 – 10:15 AM

Putting Energy in Perspective, Part III

Carbon Dioxide and Global Warming: While carbon dioxide steals most of the global warming publicity, we'll also consider the role of methane, water vapor, and CFC's. Greenhouse gases cannot be considered in isolation. They interrelate with environmental factors to produce feedback loops. Feedback loops can accelerate the process of global warming, or even produce the opposite, global cooling and the onset of an ice age. We'll see why most climate scientists predict fire, not ice.

Ron Smith (see above for biography)

Wednesday 10:15 – 12:00 Noon

The California Energy Market

California's energy market is complex and is influenced by regulation, infrastructure and economics. Renewables play a very important part, but so do traditional gas-fired power plants. Virginia will put the markets in perspective and offer insights for the future.

Virginia Nicols turned her marketing experience to promoting energy efficiency when she moved to Southern California in 2000. She had honed her skills on the East Coast, working for a regional direct marketing firm in Richmond, VA and then later, in Sacramento, CA where she headed up her own company, The Marketing Machine. From 2001-2005, Nicols and The Marketing Machine played a key role in providing marketing and promotional services to The Energy Coalition. In 2006, Nicols joined EcoMotion to continue spreading the word about smart energy management. While working with the Coalition and EcoMotion, Nicols has been responsible for literally hundreds of campaigns – making use of the internet, direct mail, postcards, flyers, door-hangers, community meetings, presentations and public relations, in both English and Spanish -- to convince thousands of Southern California residents, business owners and city leaders to take action for the benefit of themselves and their communities. Nicols’ energy-related programs have added top local and national awards – including a 2006 Telly -- to her career collection. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Nicols has authored a book and dozens of articles on finance, advertising, and marketing and lectured on these topics to professional organizations. She is fluent in French and German and is busy planning a solar study tour to Germany in the fall.

Wednesday 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Can We Build it Green?

Scott will explain that we can build it green - all it takes is planning and vision. The costs are about the same, but the benefits to energy efficiency and the environment are significant.

Scott Terrell received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Planning and Masters in Energy and Environmental Education from Humboldt State University in 1981/2. He worked as Energy Services Specialist for City of Riverside Public Utilities Department from 1982-88, then went to work for the Turlock Irrigation District as their Energy Conservation Supervisor from 1988-92. He has been in his current position with the Truckee Donner Public Utility District since 1992 as the District’s Planning Director and then recently as the District’s Conservation Administrator. The main focus of Scott’s career has been in energy, water efficiency, renewable energy, green building and sustainability. Scott’s primary work has been in the Truckee community, but has worked on developing several partnerships throughout the region in the areas of green building and sustainability. Scott has developed many local, state and national award winning programs throughout his 25-year career. Scott recently worked with the CEC and other partners to conduct a biomass bio-gasification pilot/study. Scott received a Regional Sustainability Vision award from the North Nevada Architects’ Institute of America (AIA) earlier this year. Scott has served on a number of resource-conserving and sustainability non-profit groups and committees local and statewide. Scott is a certified Energy Manager through the National Association of Energy Engineers and is a certified Residential Energy Auditor. He plans to receive his green building LEED Accredited Professional certification later this year.

Wednesday 7:00 – 8:30 PM

PV Solar Opportunities in the Owens Valley

Learn how the PV Solar Grid Tie works from the array to net metering. Get a grasp of the overall financial picture including tax incentives, depreciation and warranties.

Eric Vander Leest. In 1980, as a corps member in the California Conservation Corps (CCC) Eric picked up a solar power book from the camp library and read it on the long rides to our work sites. Fortunately the CCC had a specialty program in Energy Conservation. Eric transferred into that program shortly thereafter. He built adobe greenhouses, erected wind generators and converted oil fired boilers to burn wood pulled from clogged salmon streams on the North Coast. As the years went by Eric has been involved in very advanced energy auditing programs, guaranteed energy cost homes, presented technical pieces at the Affordable Comfort Conference and installed over 100,000 of PV solar in Inyo and Mono Counties. He currently offers energy consulting services, works regularly for Sierra Solar as well as attempting to broker a couple of very large solar deals in Bishop.

Thursday, August 16

Thursday 8:30 – 10:15 AM

Putting Energy in Perspective, Part IV

World Climate: Past and Present: A German plant biologist, Koeppen, devised a system for classifying world climate. It's still used today. But how will the world's different climates change position on our globe during the onset of global warming? Specifically, how will global warming effect California and the Mountain West? In terms of energy production and water resources, we have major changes to consider in long range planning.

Ron Smith (see above for biography)

Thursday 10:15 – 12:00 Noon

Alternative Energy: What's Green and What's Not

Today "green" is a very powerful marketing term, but green is often not what it seems. Charlie Eddy will be talking about ways to differentiate among green technologies.

Charles Eddy has been an energy and environmental executive and attorney, with extensive experience in natural resources and technology businesses, and in federal government energy and environmental policy. He is presently President of Eddy Associates, Inc., a Los Angeles firm specializing in energy and environmental consulting and senior executive training. Mr. Eddy served as chief executive officer of Stamet, Incorporated in Los Angeles, a privately-held technology company which developed advanced materials feeding systems used in the energy industry. He recently led the sale of the company to GE Energy. Prior to that he was executive vice president of Great Horn, Inc., a New York-based natural resources company, serving as CEO of Great Horn’s publicly-trading subsidiaries in oil and gas production and environmental services. Previously he was senior program director for environmental and regulatory affairs at Tosco Corporation, a Fortune 200 energy company. Before coming to the private sector, his career was spent in public service. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy and Minerals in the U.S. Department of the Interior, responsible for the department’s energy regulatory programs. Also in Washington, D.C., he was assistant general counsel and senior staff member for energy programs at the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, a unit of the Executive Office of the President. Prior to then he worked on the Ford Foundation Energy Policy Project, the first major study of national energy policy, and was a natural resources attorney at the Interior Department.

Thursday 1:00 – 4:30 PM

The Hydrogen Highway Makes Sense

Jim draws on his 50+ years of automotive experience to illustrate that hydrogen cars are a realistic transportation alternative that produces zero tailpipe emissions.

Jim Ryan has spent 57 years in the ‘car business’ – starting by sweeping floors at his grandfather’s Chrysler dealership in 1950. After college, Mr. Ryan started his career with Ford Motor Co., and then worked for Volvo, Porche and owned a Mercedes dealership in Glendale, CA for a few years. Mr. Ryan started with BMW of North America in 1975 and retired in 2002 as the Senior Vice President of Western Operations. Last year BMW AG asked Mr. Ryan to return to BMW to help with the BMW CleanEnergy Program in the US. He is currently an ‘ambassador’ for BMW in placing the BMW Hydrogen 7 with ‘high visibility’ individuals to experience first hand today’s existing technology which allows a ‘no compromise’ solution to great, safe, and comfortable transportation with essential zero emissions.

Friday, August 17

Friday 8:30 – 10:15 AM

Putting Energy in Perspective, Part V

Hurricanes and Tornadoes: The Impact of Global Warming on Severe Storms: We don't think of California as being at risk for hurricanes and tornadoes. Yet, we have more tornadoes per year than any other state outside of the Deep South and lower Great Plains. In 1933, a hurricane did strike the Southern California coast. In a globally warmed earth, California will have a greater probability of incurring severe weather events. While the risk from tornadoes and hurricanes still may be rather small, the increase in thunderstorm activity threatens our entire state with greater wildfire risk.

Ron Smith (see above for biography)

Friday 10:15 – 12:00 Noon

The Economics of Energy

Someone once said that renewable energy is "like heaven - everybody wants to go there, but no one wants to die." Part of the reason that energy consumers hesitate is the cost and Rick will outline a methodology for analyzing the economics of energy.

Rick Phelps is the Executive Director for the High Sierra Energy Foundation , a partnership between the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Southern California Edison, whose mission is to promote widespread use of renewable energy resources and increasing energy efficiency through education, planning, promotion and facilitation of demonstration projects and public policies. Rick has spent most of his career promoting and implementing energy efficiency and water conservation projects throughout the United States. Rick has a B. A. in Economics from the University of Texas and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.

Friday 1:00 – 4:30 PM

Geothermal -The Energy Beneath Us

The earth's geothermal fluids are sources of heat for electric generation and heat for homes and businesses. Our local Mammoth Pacific plant generates about 50 megawatts of electricity, but it is only part of the potential of geothermal energy.

Tal Finney

Saturday, August 18

Saturday 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Self-Guided Green Building Tour (Locations from Lone Pine to Benton)

Sunday, August 19

Sunday 10:00 – 12:00 PM

White Mountain Research Station Energy Station Tour (Barcroft Station, White Mountain)

John Smiley

Sunday 3:00 – 7:00 PM

High Sierra Mammoth Energy Party (Mammoth Lakes Foundation Parking Lot)

Housing

Discounted housing is available for the Institute. Here is the information from the Mammoth Mountain Housing Office:

• $30 per night per person.
• Apartment style lodging, 3 bedroom 3 bath units with fully equipped kitchens, furnished and with cable TV. No daily maid service is available, beds will be outfitted with linen and a bath towel.
• Each person gets a twin bed in a bedroom that sleeps 2 people (units will be booked as demand dictates with 6 participants in each unit). Units will be set up as all male and all female roommate situations.
• Those interested need to call Toll Free: (877) 934-3717 between 9 AM and 6 PM and can reserve a space by supplying a credit card.
• Those seeking more privacy can rent a whole room for $60/night; they will not have enough availability to rent entire units this way.
• Be sure to reference yourself as "Eastern Sierra College Center Summer Institute" participants since they don't normally rent units this way.

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Last updated August 08, 2007