Innovator

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced a new program to assist commercial or non-profit building owners in reducing their water heating bills up to 20 percent by installing solar hot water systems.
The program, a partnership between MassCEC and Medford-based Paradigm Partners, will help building owners install solar hot water systems on their roofs with little or no upfront costs. MassCEC will provide a $250,000 grant for the program, with Paradigm Partners providing $250,000 in in-kind services, while also leveraging more than $800,000 in private investment.
Under this new model, private third parties will install, own and operate the solar hot water systems, which use the sun to preheat water for a variety of building uses, displacing fossil fuel use. The building owner then agrees to purchase the energy generated by the system at a competitive and stable rate.
“By pioneering a third-party ownership model, this program will drive down or eliminate upfront cost to building owners who install commercial solar hot water systems,” said Barton McDevitt. “By making commercial solar hot water systems more affordable to building owners, we can increase their adoption and help create a cleaner energy future for everyone.”
Paradigm Partners – a turnkey provider of renewable heating and cooling systems – will be responsible for deploying between six and 10 large-scale systems throughout the state.
“We’re excited to deploy new strategies that directly replace expensive, dirty and inefficient fossil fuels like heating oil,” said Michael Hogan, managing partner at Paradigm Partners. “I applaud MassCEC for continuing to lead the country by focusing on the most critical point in the value chain, where energy users benefit from clean technology on their buildings.”
“This is great news for the solar heating and cooling industry. Massachusetts is one of the fastest-growing markets for solar heating and cooling, and this new commercial program will lead to more local jobs,” said Carrie Hitt, vice president of state affairs at Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “There are 50 solar heating and cooling companies located in Massachusetts, including at least six manufacturing sites, representing jobs along all sectors of the solar supply chain.”

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced a grant of up to $260,000 to help strengthen and grow the research capacity of the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Wind Energy Research Group.
The grant includes $115,000 for a graduate student program in conjunction with MassCEC’s Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown. The grant also provides $100,000 to support the continued development of an Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for which UMass Lowell is seeking funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). If the NSF funds the center, the grant provides an additonal $45,000 for MassCEC’s membership in the center.
“The research center will further strengthen the wind energy research cluster here in Massachusetts by bringing together the university and private developers to reach a common goal,” said Barton McDevitt. “Training the next generation of researchers will accelerate the development of the next generation of high-performance wind energy technologies designed to generate even more clean power from a single turbine.”
"UMass Lowell's expertise in wind blade technology is helping the nation expand its supply of alternative, clean energy sources. Our partnership with the Wind Technology Testing Center and MassCEC will help ensure that Massachusetts is a center for advances in the industry,” said UMass Lowell Chancellor Marty Meehan. “We are grateful to the MassCEC for their support of the important research being conducted by UMass Lowell faculty.”
“As our country faces new energy challenges, the need for renewable, domestic sources of energy has become a national priority. Wind power, one of the cleanest renewable fuels, is an important part of solving the energy puzzle,” said U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas. “MassCEC is a real asset in helping to make the Commonwealth a leader in clean energy research and development, and the center's partnership with UMass Lowell is a benefit to our entire region. This grant will enable UML to continue expanding into one of our region’s premier innovation, technology and research centers, and lend its remarkable resources to the search for clean energy solutions.”
“This is exciting news for UMass Lowell and for the city of Lowell itself,” said state Rep. Thomas Golden Jr. “UMass Lowell students are extremely fortunate to be able to participate and work in a first-class research facility. MassCEC’s grant will also bring excellent researchers and developers to the Lowell community and the UMass Lowell Campus and provide our students with amazing future career opportunities.  As the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center continues to develop and thrive, I look forward to watching students from our own community excel in the field of clean air technology and become the next innovative researchers.”
“I am encouraged when I see public-private partnerships centered around innovative ideas, like this one,” said state Rep. David Nangle. “Lowell has been historically involved in cutting edge technology.  This and other local projects like it, remind us that Lowell can be a player in the innovation economy of the future.”
“We all have a role to play in promoting clean energy,” said state Sen. Eileen Donoghue. “Securing the funding for expanded research is an important part of this equation. I’m certain that this grant from MassCEC will allow UMass Lowell to continue their leadership in wind energy research.”
More than 50 wind technology companies have expressed interest in joining the research center, which will serve to bring together those in the industry with the students and professors of UMass Lowell. The center will also further strengthen the university’s ability to attract and graduate students in disciplines that support the Commonwealth’s wind energy cluster.
As part of comprehensive statewide policies to further the development and adoption of clean energy, Governor Patrick has set an ambitious, but achievable, goal of having 2,000 megawatts of wind energy installed in Massachusetts by 2020.
The Patrick-Murray administration has focused on growing the state’s clean energy sector as a way to create local jobs and keep more energy dollars here in the Massachusetts economy.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today announced the launch of the 2013 Solarize Massachusetts (Solarize Mass®) program. Communities wanting to participate in the grassroots marketing, education and group buying program can now submit applications.
The program designed to increase the adoption of solar energy, further reduce the overall cost of solar power – offers residents and businesses discounted pricing for solar. The more people sign up, the greater the savings for everyone.
“This bulk purchasing program not only saves residents and businesses money, it creates local jobs and expands our use of home-grown energy sources,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan.
“We’re excited to build on the momentum of last year’s program, which brought together state and local officials with residents, volunteers and the solar industry,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “By bringing everyone to the table, we were able to spread the word about the economic and environmental benefits of solar power.”
The program is open to all Massachusetts communities, including those designated by DOER as Green Communities, which meet five clean energy requirements and commit to reducing energy use by 20 percent.
“I expect the 2013 Solarize Mass program to build on the incredible growth in solar installations in Massachusetts last year,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “This community-based model will continue to make clean, renewable power available in homes and businesses in an exciting and accessible way.”
Individual cities, towns and groups of contiguous municipalities can apply by downloading a request for proposals and applying by Feb. 20
DOER will host a webinar detailing the program and answering questions at 1 p.m. on Jan. 23. To register for the webinar, visit https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/787928799
Last year, 17 cities and towns participated in the program, with 803 residents and businesses signing contracts to install solar electricity systems with the capacity to generate 5.1 megawatts of clean, renewable energy – enough to power the equivalent of 807 average Massachusetts homes annually.
The program was also directly responsible for the creation of 32 new jobs, boosting an already booming clean energy sector that saw 11.2 percent job growth in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2012, according to the 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report.
Under the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray, Massachusetts set a goal of achieving 250 megawatts of solar PV by 2017. As a result of the Solarize Mass program and other incentives the state is more than halfway to its goal – with 194 megawatts of solar PV installed to date, the equivalent of powering 30,684 homes for a year or cutting the emissions equivalent to taking 20,858 cars off the road.
Massachusetts lies at the end of the energy pipeline – lacking indigenous supplies of coal, natural gas and oil. As a result, Massachusetts has some of the highest energy costs in the nation. Of the $22 billion Massachusetts spends annually on energy, $18 billion of that goes to out-of-state and foreign sources. Increasingly, the state’s base of renewable energy through programs like Solarize Mass keeps more of that money in the local economy, while creating jobs at the same time.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC) today announced $200,000 in new grants to Massachusetts entrepreneurs as part of their commitment to NECEC Institute’s Cleantech Innovations New England program. These grants are issued through the MassCEC Catalyst Program, which funds the commercialization of new clean energy technologies from Massachusetts’ startup companies or being spun out our world-class research institutions.

“The clean energy innovations developed in Massachusetts are driving the clean energy sector forward,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors. “There are 5,000 clean energy companies in Massachusetts and these types of programs help support and grow this bustling industry.”

“Massachusetts innovators are working hard to address the energy challenges facing the world and these Catalyst awards will help advance the next generation of energy solutions for the global marketplace,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt.
The MassCEC Catalyst Program, which is funded by MassCEC and managed by MTTC, awards early-stage researchers grant awards up to $40,000 to help demonstrate the commercial viability of their clean energy technology.

“These small grants are very important in moving a technology from the idea stage to having a prototype that shows that the technology works, this type of funding is exceedingly important in supporting commercialization in the Commonwealth,” said Abigail Barrow, director of the MTTC.

Recipients must use funding for projects that move their technologies towards commercialization.

“Catalyst plays a key role in engaging the cleantech community to help bring new technologies to market,” said Andrew Wilson, Executive Director of the NECEC Institute. "The Cleantech Innovations New England program congratulates this round of awardees."

The following researchers will each receive $40,000 grants:

Qichao Hu PhD, SolidEnergy Systems Corporation “Safe and High-Energy Density Polymer Ionic Liquid Rechargeable Lithium Metal Battery for Wide Temperature Operations”
SolidEnergy is a Massachusetts-based startup commercializing a safe and long-lasting battery technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The polymer ionic liquid (PIL) battery has two times the energy density of a traditional lithium-ion battery and can safely operate over a wide temperature range. The company plans to use the Catalyst grant to build early-stage commercial form factor prototype batteries.
Patrick Quinlan, Jason Laverty, William Stein, and Danielle Thorburn, SolaBlock LLC “Solar Wall Technology Demonstration” 
SolaBlock is a new approach to producing solar energy in cities – manufacturing building materials with permanently bonded solar cells. Funds from MassCEC will be used to design and construct a small test building in western Massachusetts. Data from the site will be used for proof of concept and future design modifications.
Linda Hutchinson, Stephen Fehr, PE; Syntha Corporation “Software Platform for Reducing Power Plant System Fuel Consumption and Emissions and Enabling Dynamic Electricity Pricing for Smart Grid”
Syntha Corporation's patented software method enables electric utilities to reduce both fuel consumption and emissions by improving the efficiency of overall electricity generation system-wide. Nationally, this could result in savings of over $10 billion in fuel consumed annually, reduce carbon emissions by up to 2 percent and support dynamic pricing for the Smartgrid. The MassCEC Catalyst grant will enable Syntha to expand its prototype and demonstrate it to participating electric generating companies.
 
Sanjeev Mukerjee, Ph.D., Urszula Tylus, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University “Development of Advanced Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Depolorized Cathode”
The MassCEC grant to the Laboratory for Electrochemical Advanced Power (LEAP) at Northeastern University will be used to commercialize recently-developed polymer metal composite catalysts for applications as oxygen depolarized cathodes (ODC), which can provide enormous energy savings in the generation of electricity.
Per Onnerud, cloteam “Lower cost, Higher safety Energy Storage Module”
This grant will fund the engineering design and development of a lower cost and higher safety energy storage systems using battery technology. Funds from MassCEC Catalyst Grant will be used for performance and cost modeling, prototype assembly and testing. With improved performance, in combination with greater safety and cost reductions in battery storage, cloteam’s innovations will enable electric drive and energy storage globally.

The goal of the MassCEC Catalyst Program is to help technologies progress along the development curve to a point where additional commercialization funding can be obtained.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced BulbTrip as the grand prize winner of the Second Annual Boston Cleanweb Hackathon, a $10,000 prize competition to demonstrate the impact of applying information technology to tackle some of the world’s most urgent energy concerns.
Held this past weekend at Greentown Labs in the Boston Innovation District, the competition brought together entrepreneurs, thought leaders, computer developers, business and technology professionals with experts on energy and efficiency to develop web-based applications to target some of today’s most pressing resource constraints.
“We’re happy this event has found a home here in Massachusetts, where there is a natural spirit of entrepreneurship, a hub of innovation with a robust cluster of people dedicated to solving some of the world’s biggest energy and water challenges,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.
Over the course of the 30 hours, nearly 80 participants, representing businesses, students and entrepreneurs creatively challenged their minds to create more than 20 innovative information technology solutions to address energy constraints and compete for over $10,000 in prizes.
A second prize competition, the Data Jam, was also launched at the Hackathon. The Data Jam is a 90-day challenge focused on the creation of impactful and market-ready applications for building efficiency and transportation. The competition is supported by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, U.S. Department of Energy, the City of Boston’s Greenovate Initiative and EnerNOC and will award $15,000 in prizes later this year.
"These kinds of collaborative efforts help our nation move toward energy independence while spurring new jobs and economic growth," said Nick Sinai, deputy chief technology officer from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy who kicked off the Data Jam session.
“Boston is a global leader in the cleanweb movement and is growing the sector rapidly due to its unmatched ecosystem of new venture creation, innovation and forward thinkers challenging the status quo,” said Mark Vasu, co-chair of the organizing committee. “It is no surprise Boston's event is the largest of its kind, supported enthusiastically by so many.”
BulbTrip received the $6,000 grand prize.  BulbTrip’s application, described as Zappos for residential lighting, is an e-commerce site designed to make it easy for homeowners to buy, try and return efficient lighting options and understand the paybacks of them as well.
The $3,000 second place and People’s Choice Award winner was Green Captcha, whose web application uses sign-in technology “captcha” tools that raise awareness and educate consumers about environmental issues. JCube, the $1,000 third place winner provides an energy use and analytics platform for City of Boston school buildings, equating potential energy savings to other budgeting elements like hiring teachers. Other notable applications included MapMyEnergy.com and Sim Energy Boston in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
The top Data Jam team entries are Paddleboard.com, a mobile app for transportation that aggregates travel options and choices by energy use, and Crowd Control, an energy efficiency platform that empowers individuals to eliminate waste and capture high-value energy saving in the buildings where they work. Winning teams are invited to present on the main stage and receive free admission to the VERGE Boston conference May 13-14. Data Jam teams will also receive mentoring and support until they pitch their final, market-ready apps at the launch of the Cleantech Open Northeast Summer Academy in Boston on June 26. Top entries are invited to showcase their solutions at the next Energy Datapalooza organized by White House officials.
The competition judges were: Rob Day, partner, Black Coral Capital; Roberto Ramirez, chief financial officer, MassCEC; Hugh Scandrett, vice president of engineering, EnerNOC; Leo Shklovski, CTO and co-founder, EnergySavvy and the moderator was Matthew Nordan, vice president, Venrock.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), in partnership with the City of New Bedford, will host an informational public meeting regarding the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.  Once constructed, the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal will be the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects.

The terminal will also provide the Port of New Bedford new capacity to handle high-volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo.  As part of construction, the project includes the dredging and removal of approximately 250,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment, a significant environmental benefit to the City of New Bedford. The first of its kind in North America, the terminal has been engineered to sustain mobile crane and storage loads that rival the highest capacity ports in the world.

The public meeting will include an overview of the project and a question and answer session.

The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided the Commonwealth with environmental approval to construct the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, a multi-purpose facility that will enable the Port of New Bedford to handle high volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo. The terminal will also be the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects.

With the EPA’s authorization, the project is expected to go out to bid to prospective developers within the next several weeks, and be completed in 2014. The terminal will be able to accommodate the docking of vessels that deliver wind turbine parts as well as barges to transport the assembled components from the port to the installation area. In addition, the terminal area includes significant lay-down space for wind turbine components and trans-shipment cargo.

“This facility makes Massachusetts the East Coast hub for offshore wind development while strengthening New Bedford’s position as a port city,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “The construction of the terminal helps launch a new clean energy industry in Massachusetts that will create hundreds of jobs, enhance our energy security, and reduce fossil fuel emissions.”

“By focusing on clean energy initiatives and supporting economic development in our seaport communities, this project will improve infrastructure that is vital to New Bedford’s harbor,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Chair of the Seaport Advisory Council.  “As we move ahead with this project, we look forward to creating jobs and growing the regional economy.”

In its decision, the EPA determined that the project is protective of both human health and the environment, meets the substantive requirements of federal and state environmental standards, and is consistent with the ongoing New Bedford Harbor Superfund remediation. As part of construction, the project will include significant environmental cleanup of up to 244,600 cubic yards of contaminated sediment that currently rests on the harbor bottom within the footprint of the project, the deposition of which was the result of waste releases from industrial activities around the harbor during the 1930s and 1940s.

“After carefully reviewing all of the data and supporting material, EPA is confident that the work needed to construct the South Terminal in New Bedford can be done in a way that protects the health of local citizens, and protects New Bedford’s environment,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “This is another example of EPA work that is helping New Bedford to revitalize its economy by cleaning the environment, and to begin another chapter in its proud history.”

The terminal facility involves the construction of a new coffer-dam style bulkhead capable of providing berthing space for large shipping vessels, including those delivering offshore wind components and the jack-up barges that will serve as construction vessels for offshore wind projects. The facility will increase the existing capability in New Bedford Harbor to receive ships up to 500 feet in length, increasing the City’s competitiveness as a medium-sized Northeast port, and putting the port at the forefront of what is expected to become a robust renewable energy supply chain industry. In addition to receiving and handling large offshore wind components, the terminal will provide the port with a new capability to receive oversized equipment such as rail cars and industrial-sized boilers.

“This project comes with infinite potential,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “Not only will it make Massachusetts a national leader in offshore wind, but it will contribute to the revitalization the City of New Bedford, making it a major player in the shipping industry, bringing economic dividends to the region.”

Specifically, the new terminal’s major construction elements include:

• Dredging and removal of contaminated sediment in the harbor to create a channel to the facility that will be constructed to a depth of 30 feet for the passage of deep water vessels;
• The construction of a 1,000 foot long extension to the existing South Terminal bulkhead. The new bulkhead will be built as a coffer-dam style structure capable of supporting large vessel berthing as well as heavy shore-side cranes for the unloading of cargo and industrial components that are expected to range in size from large to super-sized.
• Placing of the clean sediment generated from the dredging behind the bulkhead to create additional acres of productive land available for staging commercial scale offshore wind projects; and
• Constructing a Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) cell offshore for disposal and sequestration of any contaminated soils in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.

The project is a collaboration of multiple agencies within the Commonwealth, including the Executive Offices of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and Administration and Finance (ANF), the Departments of Environmental Protection and Fish and Game, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), and the City of New Bedford.  Apex Companies Waterways Division, a marine and infrastructure engineering and environmental services group with a long history of successful projects completed in New Bedford Harbor, serves as the Commonwealth’s permitting, design and construction implementation consultant.

“The South Terminal project is a milestone for our area’s economic development. The potential for the facility is unlimited and will lead to the creation of a number of local jobs,” said Sen. Mark Montigny, long time sponsor of the state bonding that is financing the project. “The building of the terminal facility will enable New Bedford to become the leading East Coast offshore wind staging port and will ensure New Bedford’s role in this fast developing maritime related industry. I look forward to working with state and city officials to bring this project to completion in a timely and cost effective manner.”

“This project is a significant state investment in New Bedford,” said Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral. “State investments mean jobs, and I will continue to work with Governor Patrick to make this project a reality.”

“New Bedford has quickly become the center of attention for the offshore wind industry in North America, and with good reason,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “If we continue our steady progress, the South Terminal Project has the best chance anywhere in the country of becoming the birthplace of this exciting new industry on U.S. shores. Securing this decision from EPA is a significant step towards this goal. The South Terminal Project is in this enviable position today only because of the commitment and careful attention of the EPA and its Regional Administrator Curt Spalding and the sustained efforts of a host of state agencies lead by Governor Patrick and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rick Sullivan.  Our hats are off to all of them.”

“Offshore wind development will provide a promising economic future for the Commonwealth,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt. “Today we’ve taken a big step toward that future, which will not only create local jobs but tap in to a powerful local source of clean and reliable energy.”

“Rarely does a project come along that will both improve environmental quality and expand economic opportunity as much as the South Terminal Expansion. EPA’s approval of the project represents an exciting moment for New Bedford and for the future of renewable energy in New England,” said Mark Rasmussen, President of the Buzzards Bay Coalition.  

The final cost of the terminal is estimated to be approximately $100 million, when the costs of construction, land acquisition, development and environmental permitting, harbor dredging and environmental remediation are included. The project will be financed by the Commonwealth with contributions from the City of New Bedford and the investment will be offset by revenue generated by users of the terminal.

The terminal is ideally suited for the burgeoning offshore wind industry in the United States as it is located in proximity to areas along the East Coast that are under consideration for offshore wind development. The federal government is leading an offshore wind permitting and leasing process in nine states, including Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Coast. That process is expected to lead to the construction of multiple projects, many of which could make use of this first-in-the-nation facility.

America’s best offshore wind resource is in New England, however, it is a substantial distance from our current offshore oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. A purpose built facility in the Northeast is necessary to handle the heavy loads and demanding logistics of commercial scale offshore wind projects.

“Cape Wind applauds the Commonwealth’s development of the multi-purpose marine facility. The port will bring marine commerce and jobs to New Bedford for years to come, and will contribute to the development of a robust offshore wind industry,” said Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind.

“Offshore wind will create many good paying jobs in this region, and New Bedford will play a major role in this new green jobs economy. The state’s investment in New Bedford is critical to this effort,” said Jeff Grybowski, CEO Deepwater Wind.

“I would like to applaud Massachusetts for achieving a significant milestone towards completing the New Bedford Marine Terminal,” said Erich Stephens, Executive Vice President of Offshore MW. “This infrastructure investment will help provide the foundation for a new industry that will put many more to work for years to come, and will combat the climate change that is already impacting the entire East Coast. Thanks to the vision of Governor Patrick and many other officials in Massachusetts, New Bedford will soon be an American offshore wind success story, and help launch the US offshore wind industry.”

“EDF Renewable Energy supports the expansion of the New Bedford Terminal as part of Massachusetts’ offshore wind development efforts. This expansion is another great example of Massachusetts’ leadership in renewable energy. We applaud these efforts to spur job creation and support clean energy,” said Jim Shretter, VP at EDF Renewable Energy.

“Fishermen’s Energy applauds the joint efforts today of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of New Bedford leadership to make significant investment in expanding the New Bedford port,” said Daniel Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Fishermen’s Energy. “Fishermen’s Energy is committed to working with State and local officials to assure that opportunities for growth in both the fishing industry and the offshore wind industry are to the greatest extent compatible to assure sustainable fisheries along with renewable energy.”

Offshore wind is the largest potential source of clean energy for Massachusetts, and its development can create a significant new industry here in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Department of Energy projects 43,000 clean energy jobs will be created in the offshore wind industry nationally by 2020. Massachusetts expects to play a large role in this industry.

The EPA authorization comes following a public hearing held in New Bedford in July 2012.

As part of this process, the Commonwealth submitted data relating to environmental resource impact assessments and environmental mitigation measures.

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) CEO Alicia Barton McDevitt today announced the release of the construction bid for the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal.

The announcement closely follows the project’s environmental approval on Nov. 19 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Once constructed, the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal will be the first facility in the nation designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects. The terminal will also be able to handle high-volume bulk and container shipping, as well as large specialty marine cargo. As part of construction, the project includes the dredging and removal of 244,600 cubic yards of contaminated sediment caused by industrial waste generated during the 1930s and 1940s, a significant environmental benefit to the City of New Bedford. The first of its kind in North America, the terminal has been engineered to sustain mobile crane and storage loads that rival the highest capacity ports in the world.

Bids are due by Jan. 23, 2013. Construction is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013 and be completed in 2014.

“The development of an offshore wind industry in Massachusetts will not only create jobs but provide an abundant local source of clean and reliable energy,” said Barton McDevitt. “This is another significant step toward the construction of a first-in-the-nation facility, which will establish Massachusetts as the hub for offshore wind development along the East Coast.”

“Today’s announcement is further demonstration of why New Bedford will be the birthplace of offshore wind energy in North America,” said New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell. “No other port enjoys the same competitive advantages: proximity to the natural resource, a deep-water harbor, a major state financial commitment, federal regulatory approvals, strong community support and a qualified labor force with two-hundred years seafaring experience.”  

The terminal, which will be located inside New Bedford Harbor and protected by the hurricane barrier,  will be in close proximity to offshore wind planning areas along the East Coast that are under consideration for development. The federal government is leading an offshore wind permitting and leasing process in nine states, including Massachusetts, along the Atlantic Coast. That process is expected to lead to the construction of multiple projects, many of which could make use of this first-in-the-nation facility.

Learn about the specific construction elements of the project. 

Offshore wind is the largest potential source of clean energy for Massachusetts, and its development can create a significant new industry here in the Commonwealth. The U.S. Department of Energy projects 43,000 clean energy jobs will be created in the offshore wind industry nationally by 2020. The Patrick-Murray Administration set the ambitious goal of reaching 2,000 megawatts of wind energy in Massachusetts by 2020. This goal is part of Governor Patrick’s nation-leading support for clean energy policies aimed at reducing reliance on foreign sources of energy, cutting energy costs and use, while cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center requests that companies seeking to bid or have inquiries regarding the bid process to contact Apex Companies, LLC attention Christopher Morris, PE; 125 Broad Street, 5th Floor; Boston, MA 02110 or by telephone at (617) 728-0070 or via e-mail at cmorris@apexcos.com.

As part of a statewide effort to reach Governor Patrick's goal of 250 megawatts (MW) of solar power installed by 2017, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today launched the second round of its Solarize Massachusetts (Solarize Mass) program. MassCEC is now accepting applications from designated Green Communities interested in participating in Solarize Mass, which encourages residents and business owners to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology through a program model that includes grassroots marketing, education and group purchasing.

“Today you’ll find solar projects in 328 out of our 351 cities and towns. This growth is not by accident, its happened under the leadership of Governor Patrick through a suite of policies and programs designed to grow the state’s solar business sector and put the cost of solar power within the reach of more people than ever before,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs MassCEC’s board of directors and whose office includes DOER. “Solarize Massachusetts will take these efforts to a new level, catalyzing wider adoption of solar energy and greater energy independence through the power of community connections.”

The Solarize Mass Pilot, which launched in the spring of 2011, deployed a grassroots, volunteer-driven effort that is bringing solar power to 162 Massachusetts homes at discounted rates. By utilizing grassroots organizing, civic engagement, bulk purchasing, and educational outreach, the towns of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate and Winchester helped their communities install a total of 829 kW of solar energy. The solar capacity installed through the Solarize Mass Pilot will save 651 metric tons of CO2 annually. During their lifetimes, these PV systems will save over 13,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the emissions of more than 2,500 cars.

“Solarize Mass was incredibly successful in the first four towns and is empowering residents to drive growth of solar in their own communities, while helping us reach Governor Patrick’s solar energy goals,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney, “By spurring engagement and encouraging neighbor-to-neighbor advocacy for solar energy education and adoption, we look forward to helping more communities across Massachusetts become vibrant solar towns.”

MassCEC, in partnership with the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) today launched the second iteration of Solarize Mass. MassCEC and DOER will select at least ten communities to participate. Selected communities will be announced in mid March. MassCEC will then issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for bulk purchasing business models from solar integrators in which installation costs are based on a tiered structure that provide lower costs with increased capacity of solar installed within the community. For each of the Solarize Mass communities, the chosen installer will partner with MassCEC and the community to provide free solar site assessments, different ownership (or financing) models, and installation services.

MassCEC will provide education and marketing support to help the selected communities implement a community-wide solar PV program for residential and small-scale commercial projects. MassCEC will provide technical support and host free educational meetings in the communities to educate people about the benefits of installing solar and to drive interest in implementing the technology.

On February 27 MassCEC will hold a bidder’s conference for green communities interested in applying to Solarize Mass. The bidder’s conference will take place at Volunteers Hall at the Harvard Library at 4 Pond Road in Harvard at 2:00 p.m. and will also be broadcast via webinar. Communities interested in applying should participate to learn more about the program, hear from the communities that participated in the first Solarize Mass pilot, and to get their questions answered by Solarize Mass staff.

Click here to download the Solarize Mass RFP to Green Communities.

To register for the webinar visit: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/410326122

To RSVP for the live meeting email your contact information to solarize@masscec.com  

“It is exciting to see this program extend to more of our Green Communities, which are already leading the way in Massachusetts with their commitments to energy reduction and development of clean energy technologies,” DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia said.  “Solarize Massachusetts provides another opportunity for cities and towns to strengthen their commitment to a cleaner energy future.”

As a result of the Commonwealth Solar rebate programs launched in 2008 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for solar on water treatment facilities and other public buildings, Massachusetts saw a more than 20-fold increase in solar PV installations between 2007 and 2011. Currently, there are nearly 77 MW of solar energy installed in Massachusetts, and an additional 40 MW under contract for installation, up from 3.5 MW when Governor Patrick took office.

The Commonwealth Solar rebate programs also helped spur a vibrant solar industry in Massachusetts. Overall, clean energy jobs are growing in Massachusetts according to the 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which finds a total of 4,909 clean energy businesses in Massachusetts that employ more than 64,000 workers. These companies reported a 6.7 percent job growth rate from July 2010 to July 2011. Solar energy is the most prominent renewable energy technology area for Massachusetts clean energy companies, with more than two in three renewable energy employers working with solar energy technologies.