Creative Energies Blog

As my internship winds down, I am able to reflect on my experiences with Creative Energies and realize how much work I did this summer.  It has been an amazing experience for me here in Lander.  I have worked on 14 jobs as well as several office projects that I completed while not in the field.  One job that stood out for me was working on the PV install at the Pioneer Senior Center in Marbleton, Wyoming. This was the largest project I was involved in which involved installing 112 modules between 2 arrays. It was a great learning opportunity for me because I was able to see how these systems were installed at a larger scale and the different techniques that are used when dealing with larger systems like these.

I wanted to work for a renewable energy company this summer for several reasons. The most important reason being that I wanted to gain experience in the field that I plan on getting into after I graduate this May. Networking is another reason why I wanted to work for a renewable energy company. It is an important to get your name out there when finding any job because the more people that know who you are the more likely you are to have a job opportunity arise. I also realized the need to gain experience in this field because although studying this is college is important getting real work experience is even more important. Overall this has been an amazing opportunity, which I have taken full advantage of, and not only have I gained experience but I have made friends that I will stay in contact with in the future. 

Hello loyal blog followers, I am Allen Roth, the Creative Energies summer intern, I come from the University of Vermont and I am majoring in Environmental Studies with a focus on renewable energy.

Several weeks ago Curtis and I installed a geothermal system at a property in Lander, Wyoming. The system consisted of 6000 feet of piping strung out in 6 – 1000 foot coils. It was a big learning experience for me as it was my first geothermal install. In my studies I learned about the different loopfields and had diagrams that explained how the system worked. After working on a system myself I realize that the diagram is not enough. I think a lot of people can relate, so here is the quick and dirty. A geothermal system can be compared to a refrigerator where the pipe coils in the loopfield represent the coils on the back of your refrigerator. Instead of removing the heat from inside the refrigerator and dissipating it out the back, the coils in the ground collect heat energy available in the ground, concentrate it, and dump it into the home. The heat pump does this by circulating water through the loop field where the temperature is consistently 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This thermal energy, collected by the water, enters the heat pump where a compressor concentrates and exaggerates the temperature. Traditional ducting and plumbing systems deliver the heat throughout the home. In cooling mode it works exactly like a refrigerator, the home becomes the icebox and the heat is dumped in the ground through the coils.

We began by setting up the 6 strings in the grass next to the pit before moving them to their final resting place seven feet below the ground. We pre-constructed the loops because the high water table in the area made it necessary to pump the water out of the pit every 30 minutes! This made moving the strings difficult, but with the help of Dan, Toby, and Phil we managed to get them in without a problem. It was an experience to say the least. Trying not to fall face first in the mud every step you took, and knowing that the excavation crew above were just waiting for one of us to take a fall was quiet a thrill!

The environmental impacts of using a geothermal system are great as the main source of heat is the earth itself. These systems have a drastically smaller footprint because there is no need to burn fossil fuels to produce the heat. The heat is just being collected from the ground, and concentrated in the home. Energy consumption can be as much as two thirds of alternative heating systems. On average the savings from a geothermal system will pay for itself in 5-7 years, which makes it the most economical renewable heating system on the market.

Dan and Donna were very nice to meet.  They were both nterested in my studies and my thoughts about renewable energy and climate change. We had several discussions about what I thought the future held in regards to climate change and the move towards a more sustainable world. While we were working on their geothermal system, they both were fully involved in building their log home. This home has been designed with the environment in mind. The moderate size (2,000 sqft), and airtight construction alone makes this home more energy efficient than most. On top of these basic fundamentals the crawl space is insulated and the roof is constructed of SIPs (structurally insulated panels) (http://www.sips.org/content/about/index.cfm?pageId=7). Having a log home happens to be a dream that I have had since I was young. Watching them both work on the house really inspired me not only to keep that dream alive, but also to improve it by incorporating renewables. Adapting to the world now is a must if we plan on becoming a more sustainable world in the future. It was great to see how enthusiastic they were about their home and the different renewable systems they have installed. They mentioned how they raised their children to uphold a strong environmental philosophy, and they realized that building a home that incorporates renewables gave them an opportunity not just to preach about that philosophy, but also to apply it in their everyday lives. Aside from the geothermal, they also has us install  2.7 kW photovoltaic system earlier this spring. This system produces approximately 12 kWh per day. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this will offset close to half of the electricity used by the average consumer. It’s clear that Dan and Donna’s decision-making has been motivated by their desire to reduce their carbon footprint. Although their efforts won’t stop climate change, it is a giant first step in the right direction. 

Earlier this spring Toby and I headed down to Mulege Mexico to do some work on the NOLS Mexico off grid solar power system. As the school continues to grow so has their energy loads. Seeing as the roof that the solar panels were mounted to was being replaced it seemed like a good time to make some updates.

In all we added two inverters, two charge controllers, 20 solar panels, connected the new battery bank and a new reconditioned generator courtesy of the NOLS bus. When we left we had more than doubled their production, allowing the batteries to be at a higher state of charge at the end of the day.

I was personally shocked to see the power production jump ten to fifteen percent just after cleaning all the existing panels. Being a bit of a self-proclaimed clean freak, I can tell you it was the most satisfaction I have ever experienced on the job! The system is approximately a six kW system. NOLS Mexico uses power in their daily operations for water pumping, fans, lights, internet and computers. During the day they are able to produce more than enough energy for daytime loads, the excess energy gets stored in their battery bank, and is used throughout the night. all the folks that work at the branch were very nice, and our time spent their was a refreshing change of pace from daily life in Lander. It turns out that its true what they say, that all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. In some down time we were able to do a little sailing……thanks to Alex for literally showing me the ropes! My natural sailing ability is a telltale sign that Ill be back at some point for some more fun, sun and good food. 

Creative Enegies Co-owner, Andy Tyson, has accepted an appointment as the Chairman of the solar task force of the Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance (ISEA). Governor Otter established the ISEA to help develop effective and long-lasting responses to the impact of higher energy prices and other energy challenges. The Governor believes that developing options and solutions for our energy future should be a joint effort between local, tribal, state, and federal governments, as well as the profit and non-profit private sectors, fostering coordinated approaches to energy development.

The Alliance is Idaho’s primary mechanism to engage in seeking options for and enabling advanced energy production, energy efficiency, and energy business in the State of Idaho. The purpose of the Alliance is to enable the development of a sound energy portfolio for Idaho that:

1. includes diverse energy resources and production methods,
2. provides the highest value to the citizens of Idaho,
3. ensures quality stewardship of environmental resources, and
4. functions as an effective, secure, and stable system.

The Alliance consists of about a dozen volunteer task forces working in areas such as wind, biofuels, geothermal and hydropower, and energy conservation and efficiency. Andy will assume the leadership of the Solar Task Force.

Andy has worked in the solar industry for nearly ten years in three Western states and internationally. He has advised the Wyoming Governors Office directly regarding renewable energy, and worked with the Wyoming Legislature regarding renewables. Recently he has been working closely with the town of Jackson, Wyoming, on a number of innovative PV projects. He has also worked closely with several utility companies in Idaho and Wyoming to help them establish fair and effective solar net metering procedures.

AJ spent a windy day last week working on a solar power system at the Hog Creek Canal, east of Tetonia in the Teton Valley. Friends of the Teton River built a fishscreen at the entrance to the irrigation canal to keep fish in the main creek.  Hog Creek and the rest of the South Leigh Creek drainage is one of only a few watersheds in the valley that still support a healthy Cutthroat Trout population, but when the irrigation canals run, the fish get swept out of the creek and end up in farmers’ fields.

The screens are pretty cool–they’re built similar to a conveyor-belt so that as they revolve, the debris that would otherwise clog up the screen gets cleaned off.  As part of our membership in 1% For the Tetons and 1 % for the Planet, Creative Energies is donating our labor to build a system that provides solar power to run the motors for the screens.  They’re pretty simple off-grid systems; each screen gets one photovoltaic module and two batteries.

AJ spent the day mounting the PV modules on their poles and wiring them into the battery box, and preparing the motors to be mounted and connected to the drive chain for the screens, which Jake then finished a few days later.    

Each of the past two years, the Driggs-based non-profit, Friends of the Teton River, has installed fish screens. Last year, Creative Energies provided power to one on Badger Creek.  This year’s project, located on Hog Canal, was similar.  What is the purpose?  Many of the creeks and rivers in Teton Valley are critical habitat for native fish species, particularly Cutthroat Trout.  Due to our arid climate and agricultural economy, farmers divert water along ditches and canals for irrigation.  When the canals run high in the Spring, many fish swim into the irrigation ditches.  As the water level drops and the ditches run dry, the fish are stranded and die. Friends of the Teton River has installed the screens so that the water continues to flow into the canal but the fish cannot.  The solar system powers a small motor to rotate the screen periodically, and keep it from getting clogged with debris.  As a result, more fish survive in the main channel.

Creative Energies donated a portion of the project as part of our annual contribution to 1 % for the Tetons.

We have solar panels on our barn. When the sun is out the panels make electricity - kilowatt-hours (kWh). Our home either uses the kWhs or puts them into the electricity grid, banking them for later. Over the course of a year the sun meets about 70% of our electricity needs. The 25-year warranty on the panels plus a continuing effort at energy conservation (more efficient appliances, lighting, and computers/electronics, etc.) means our energy usage could still decrease over the next 30+ years!

When my wife and I moved into our current home we averaged about 1,100 kWhs/month for the first year, right in line with the Idaho residential average of 1,078 kWhs/month. (Check here for a wealth of energy statistics:  http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/index.cfm. We then focused on conservation measures. We changed light bulbs, replaced an ageing refrigerator, spray-foam insulated the crawl space, plugged holes, and went down the list of normal energy efficiency improvements. We were also more conscious about turning off lights, using our wood stove and keeping our baseboard electric heat turned off. All of the little measures led to a 40% energy use reduction! We used 660 kWhs/month that year. (Which is below the Wyoming average of 871 kWhs/month, and less than half of the Jackson average of 1,500 kWhs/month!)

Our next step was to install a 2kW solar electric system. It makes just less than 300 kWhs/month, which leaves our current energy purchase at around 400 kWhs/month. (Note: we actually have two houses on the property, both on the same meter - I figure the smaller rental home uses around 250 of those kWhs a month at least.)

So in the end, we took 60% off our energy use from the time we moved into the home. First we did normal improvements, and then we installed a solar electric system. If we keep working at it, we should be able to reduce even more. The rental home needs some energy efficient improvements – which is our next target.

We have fixed most of our electricity costs for the long term, become less dependent on others, and reduced our impact on the world (0.8 lbs of CO2 per local kWh = 100 tons of CO2 saved!).   We have also saved money. Using 8,400 kWhs less per year for the next 30 years is $18,000 at current electricity prices! That’s $600 a year! If the cost of electricity goes up in the future, we save even more.

Green = Green.