Off to Ecuador:  CALOR Accepts Invite from Organization of American States

Rich Deming, senior partner, travels in early December to Ecuador to join a stakeholder meeting designed to advance that country’s capacity for sustainable economic and environmental  outcomes. Mr. Deming will address key infrastructure considerations for developing a green energy sector when centralized energy generation and transmission systems are not widely in place. The meeting, led by the Organization of American States, will connect key stakeholders from industry, government and NGOs. The program is part of the OAS Cradle to Cradle/Ecuador pilot project, which it hopes to eventually expand throughout Latin America.

“Save Your Lard” Tops Advice from CALOR at Commercial Real Estate Confab

It may not have matched BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything) as a hot topic, but CALOR managing partner Lisa Lee Morgan put “energy-from-waste” into fresh perspective as a panelist for the BISNOW Sustainability Summit in September. Ms. Morgan explained why food waste has cash potential – especially the lowly lard. Panelists touched on wide-ranging concerns, from restrictions on third-party energy sales to the rise of sustainability as a benchmark of morally responsible operations.

PIES Ties Innovative Funding to Start-Ups that Stick

Staying power for green business start-ups can improve with strategic use of grant funding, the panel topic for CALOR senior partner Rich Deming on November 16 when he speaks at a conference sponsored by the Project for Innovation, Energy and Sustainability (PIES) at UNC-Charlotte. Sharing “lessons learned” from his leadership in securing more than $2.2 million in grants for clients and community collaborators, Mr. Deming will offer an overview of grant strategies for getting new innovations to market.  To attend, visit the “Theme #1 Registration” link at:   https://ecom.uncc.edu/C21561_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=48&SINGLESTORE=true

CALOR Goes to China

Of 250 energy companies in the Charlotte region, CALOR was one of 25 included in a directory developed for a 10-day trip in November to China by Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx. Translated to Chinese, the directory offers a compelling overview of Charlotte’s dynamic energy sector, along with such key partnerships as the smart-grid Envision Charlotte initiative and high-skill workforce development at EPIC (The Energy Production and Infrastructure Center) at UNC- Charlotte.

Eco-Classroom Gets Boost from Team CALOR

CALOR took time out in October to join the US Green Building Council/Charlotte and Hands on Charlotte at South Mecklenburg High School to help construct the “eco-classroom”  for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. The classroom will include a solar array, weather station, greenhouse and a water catchment system to irrigate four unique types of vegetation on its “green” roof. CALOR co-sponsored the project to provide CMS students with first-hand understanding of sustainability practices.

CALOR Named to HUD Sustainable Communities Project Team

An ambitious $4.9 million grant application submitted in August to the federal  Department of Housing and Urban Development names CALOR to a select team of Piedmont companies tasked with crafting an innovative regional sustainability blueprint. Among other things, if the grant is approved CALOR will be helping local governments, non-profits and public housing entities get renewable energy installed without using public funds. The team will be a resource for sustainability strategies at a time when communities are under significant financial strain. A decision from HUD is expected by late 2011.

Mecklenburg-to-Mecklenburg:  An International Keynote Connection

By comparing Mecklenburg County, NC with its European sister, the German province of Mecklenburg, managing partner Lisa Lee Morgan led her audience through the calculations for building sustainable communities in her keynote address to the American Freedom Association, “Solving for Zero Waste.” Speaking in July at the group’s meeting in Black Mountain, Ms. Morgan then joined panelists from Davidson College and Queens College in exploring the role of clean energy in reaching “green” goals.

DOE TAP Taps CALOR to Take NC Success Nationwide

Transforming a grant into a perpetual flow of funds for green energy projects earned in invite from the federal Department of Energy to CALOR senior partner Rich Deming, who spoke as part of its Technical Assistance Program (TAP) on June 21.  Mr. Deming offered “best practice” advice for state and local governments throughout the US, sharing details from Union County, NC, where savings from a DOE grant provided seed money for a Revolving Energy Fund. To learn more, visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/solutioncenter/webcasts/default.html.

CALOR Commends Outstanding Partnership for
Carolina Clean Fuels

CALOR Managing Partner Lisa Lee Morgan and Project Manager Justin Sharp helped celebrate a shining example of a creative strategic partnership on August 15 at a ribbon-cutting for the newly developed Biofuels Research Facility at the Catawba County EcoComplex led by longtime EcoComplex Director Barry Edwards. Many organizations came together to play a role, collaborating on grants and funding opportunities to ensure the success of this endeavor.  Of the facility’s $3.2 million price tag, Appalachian State University contributed $1.6 million, while the remaining $1.45 came from entities such as the Golden LEAF Foundation, UNC General Administration Research Competitiveness Fund, U.S. DOE and the Biofuels Center of North Carolina.

 In a promising model for public industrial ecology using landfill buffer zones, sunflower and rapeseed crops will supply organic biofuel for the landfill’s heavy machinery, among other uses. CALOR currently works through the NC Brownfields program to facilitate opportunities for eco-industrial development on similarly distressed land.

Ribbon Cutting Held for Green Energy Project at
Friendship Trays

Fighting hunger in Charlotte took a green turn when supporters of Friendship Trays, a local meal-on-wheels program, celebrated the launch of a new solar power system at a ribbon cutting on June 29. CALOR was one of five local renewable energy companies that helped install a 10 KW PV solar system on the roof of Friendship Trays.

Serving as project developer, CALOR developed an innovative financing plan to attract private investment for the project, allowing Friendship Trays to earn on-going revenue from annual electricity sales of approximately 13,500 KW hours to Duke Energy. The Friendship Trays project could serve as model for helping non-profits benefit from renewable energy.

Princeton Alums Hear Calor Views on Energizing Innovation

The challenge of achieving better solutions to environmental problems was the topic for CALOR managing partner Lisa Lee Morgan in her presentation to fellow Princeton alumni on May 27. Ms. Morgan joined three other leaders on the Princeton campus to explore the role of innovation in finding new ways to approach long-term environmental problems. Follow Ms. Morgan on Twitter @lisalemorg.
For more info please click here.

2011 Conservation Business Honor Goes to Calor

The Mecklenburg County Soil and Water Conservation District has recognized CALOR Energy Consulting as its 2011 honoree for leadership in conservation at its annual awards meeting in May. In his nomination of CALOR for this recognition, District Chair Gray Newman cited Calor’s mission of promoting clean energy and sustainability strategies.

CALOR representatives joined the District’s Board of Supervisors and staff at the event along with other local honorees.

Calor Explains How to Get Fast Cash for Solar Strategies

On May 18, CALOR spoke at the American Solar Energy Society annual meeting in Raleigh, NC to explain how companies can get solar projects off the ground with cash back from utility incentives.

Expert guidance was provided in how these applications can boost energy efficiency initiatives. CALOR was one of six forum speakers addressing a wide range of issues affecting energy efficiency in existing buildings, achieving lower carbon footprints and deeper energy savings.

Regional Produce Assessment Grant Gets Calor Endorsement

CALOR has joined the Kannapolis Environmental Stewardship Commission, the North Carolina Center for Environmental Farming Systems, the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association and others in supporting a grant application to help build the Charlotte-area local food infrastructure.

In backing the proposal, CALOR principal Rich Deming identified four energy / food system integration opportunities to make both more efficient and sustainable – including the use of food waste as an energy source.

Biofuel Project Tops CALOR Comments with Top
EPA Policy Advisor

Faster approvals for renewable energy projects funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) led the feedback from CALOR partner Rich Deming during a January meeting with Nancy Sutley, chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte.

Ten new “green” jobs were waiting on the release of a $311,000 grant, explained Mr. Deming, because of extended delays in securing environmental reviews. CALOR provides grant administration services for the biofuels venture, a $750,000 ethanol transloading facility in Gaston County.

Energy Corps Interns Join Calor Team

A partnership with Catawba College has expanded the CALOR team. Tom Palmer joined the CALOR team in January as a result of a grant received by Catawba College to promote the new green economy with training funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The “green job” goals of the sustainability curriculum at Catawba College created an “Energy Corps” patterned on the Peace Corps model. Calor’s mission to promote renewable energy earned the nod from Catawba College in successfully securing Mr. Palmer’s placement. Justin Sharp, a part-time CALOR employee as of January, also received an Energy Corps internship with the Centralina Council of Governments, a key CALOR client.

Mecklenburg County Commission Appoints Rich Deming
to Solid Waste Committee

In November 2010 CALOR partner Rich Deming began serving on the Waste Management Advisory Board for Mecklenburg County. The all-volunteer group provide community input to county staff on wide-ranging issues affecting the collection, recycling and disposal of more than 375,000 tons per year residential solid waste, in addition to oversight of the 10-year plan addressing strategies for commercial solid waste, tire recycling, yard waste composting and construction/demolition waste. Mr. Deming will serve until May 2013.

CALOR Partner Lisa Lee Morgan Joins
Energy Park Foundation Board

A long-time advocate for alternative energy, Lisa Lee Morgan in August 2010 joined a team of thought leaders in the North Carolina Piedmont region on the board of the new Energy Park Foundation. Dedicated to finding new green life for dormant industrial infrastructure, Lisa plays a key role in crafting the parameters to make the “energy park” concept economically viable.

For more visit www.energyparkfoundation.org.

Looking Ahead by Looking Back with Lisa Lee Morgan

Ms. Morgan, daughter of long-time Duke Power CEO Bill Lee, spoke about the region’s history with the electrification at a November 2010 conference sponsored by The Lee Institute, “Electrifying the Carolinas.” Join conference attendees to learn more about her unique perspective on electric power generation, a family matter for four generations! Learn more at this link.

CALOR Partner Rich Deming Tapped for Charlotte’s
First-Ever TEDX Conference

In September, 2010 Rich Deming was one of only 50 hand-picked speakers from the Charlotte, NC region invited to share their innovative answers to seemingly intractable problems. Conference attendees, all of them setting the creative pace across wide-ranging business and philanthropic venues, listen as Rich describes the local launch of an exciting urban gardening initiative at this link.

Rich Deming Boosts Energy Management Credentials
with New Diploma Work

In December 2010 Mr. Deming joined energy experts from across North Carolina for intensive training and testing at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. With topics ranging from the details of rate setting to fuel procurement and code development, Mr. Deming successfully completed the first two of 14 sessions required for an Energy Management diploma.

Sponsored by the North Carolina State Energy Office, the EM diploma is a key credential for energy consultants.

Solar Energy Heats Up at CALOR

In an exclusive affiliation, solar energy expert Ollie Frazier, PE has agreed to join CALOR to offer a full range of services to plan, design and build solar energy projects. Leveraging his previous role as director of renewable energy for Duke Energy, a Fortune-500 company based in Charlotte, NC, Mr. Frazier will develop wide-ranging strategies for solar energy projects from both technical and financial perspectives for CALOR clients.

“We are thrilled to have Ollie on board,” notes Ms. Morgan, “Joining forces with Ollie means that CALOR can put unmatched expertise in renewables to work for any company looking seriously at solar energy strategies.” Mr. Frazier currently serves as the technical manager for feasibility evaluating at a solar array installation at ReVenture Eco-Industrial Park.