By Nick White

The UNH Energy club took advantage of the start of a new semester and hosted a residential renewable energy discussion at the UNH Memorial Union Building, also known as the MUB, this past Thursday night. Three local companies: Sea Solar Store, Ultra Geothermal, Inc, and Waterline Industries Corporation, presented on wind, solar, geothermal and hydro alternative energy systems. This free educational session was designed to educate the public regarding their options for alternative residential power sources.

Jack Bingham, President of Seacoast Energy Alternatives Solar Store presented on solar energy and its applications for residential use SEA offers a vast array of innovative, energy saving items, from solar hot water and electric systems, to super-efficient on-demand hot water heaters, to small wind turbines. Through out the presentation Bingham explain the various types of solar systems as well as the economics behind each. SEA offers both electric and hot water solar systems but the hot water system has been the biggest seller. Hot water takes up roughly 30% of a homes fuel bill and with SEA’s systems providing 80% of a buildings hot water use, it is their “greenest” contribution to home energy solutions. In one year a solar hot water system will reduce CO2 by 1,500 Lbs., which is the equivalent of 1,685 miles driven.

Waterline Alternative Energies, a subsidiary of Waterline Industries Corporation, discussed the uses of wind and hydro as alternative power sources. Wind turbines are most efficient when placed near mountains or the ocean due to the more consistent strong winds. In order to even consider putting a turbine in, the annual average wind speed for the area must be a level 3 or higher. Level 3 wind levels have an average speed of roughly 14 mph. While wind energy systems are very expensive to install, they produce energy more efficiently than solar systems. Ralph also dispelled the myth that wind turbines are noisy and disruptive. The only sound they make is the whoosh of the rotors, and when the wind is blowing that hard, there is nothing to hear except the wind itself!

Hydropower may be one of the most efficient of all the alternative energies at 80% to 95% efficient. The amount of power is derived from the head and the flow. The head refers to the height of the drop from the river or moving body of water, to the pool of water below. The flow refers to how fast the water moves through the dam. As the flow and head increase, the amount of power generated increases exponentially. However, the downside of hydropower is that obtaining the necessary permits can take 5 or more years and cost $150,000, so small residential hydropower systems are uncommon.

Ultra Geothermal, Inc. was the next company to present. Melissa Aho, president of the company spoke about the benefits and practicability of geothermal heating and cooling. Melissa explained the different types of geothermal systems and how the work in a residential home. After switching from a conventional HVAC heating and cooling company that also happened to sell geothermal three years ago, Ultra Geothermal is now geothermal exclusive. Aho explained closed and open loop systems and the awesome efficiency provided by a geothermal system. Geothermal uses the temperature of the earth, roughly 47 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your home’s temperature constant, warming during the winter and cooling during the summer.

Each business is a member of the Green Alliance, ensuring their true sustainability. The Green Alliance is a green business bureau, locally located, that provides full sustainability evaluations of its members. Each business partner has a “Green Story” and full evaluation report card on the GA website where the public can read up on what exactly makes each business sustainable. These green businesses are helping keep the grass green on both sides of the fence.