Schedule of Presentations
AECP Green Living and Energy Expo
Roanoke Civic Center - November 6-7, 2009
All presentations are in the conference room near the entrance to the (old) Exhibit Hall on the Williamson Road side of the Civic Center. Check at the information desk for directions.
Click here to download the Schedule of Presentations in PDF format.
| Friday 10:30 Local Food, You and the Environment | A presentation about local food in general and in contrast to the global food system. Topics will include the economics and politics of the food system, carbon footprints, environmental issues as well as the health and community effects of local food production and consumption. | Mike Burton owns and operates Moon Indigo Farm in Floyd Co. and runs a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). He sells his produce locally in conjunction with other local farms as part of the Blue Ridge Growers Collaborative, which he co-founded. |
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| Friday 11:30 Carless and Car-lite: Green Transportation Options | Green transportation isn’t just hybrid vehicles and new technologies. The greenest mile is the one not driven. Simple changes will lighten your environmental footprint and save you money. Jeremy Holmes of RIDE Solutions and River Laker, Roanoke’s Car Less Brit, will “walk” you through your options to really “go” green! | Jeremy Holmes is Program Director, RIDE Solutions commuter assistance program and President, Roanoke Chapter of BikeWalk Virginia. He spends his working time promoting greener transportation. River Laker, better known as Car Less Brit, works for the Roanoke City Libraries. In November 2008 he sold his car as an experiment, choosing to get around Roanoke carless. |
| Friday 12:30 Cutting Edge Low Energy Construction an Introduction to Passivhaus design principles | This presentation will focus on the basics of Passivhaus design, a scientific European approach to low energy construction and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Passivhaus has a twenty year track record in Europe but has only recently come to the US. | Adam Cohen is a principal partner in Structures Design/Build, LLC. He holds a degree in architecture from the University of Maryland, designation as a LEED AP, Certified Green Professional, and has completed the Passive House consultant program. He serves on the boards of Roanoke City’s Citizens for Clean and Green and Clean Valley Council. |
| Friday 1:30 “Cool Green Biz – Roanoke Business Gets Seriously Greener” | An introduction to the Cool Green Biz program sponsored by Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. Mark McClain will explain how companies can participate and get recognition for their sustainable business practices. | Mark McClain, MBA, is a director of Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition (rvccc.org), the area’s leading non-profit group involved in energy policy and global warming. He has 30 years experience in financial and systems management in a corporate environment. |
| Friday 2:30 Residential Wind Power | This is an overview of residential wind power for those interested in utilizing a small wind system. Topics covered include: Understanding the Technology, Understanding and Testing Wind Resources, Virginia Programs and Rules, Is a Wind System Right for Me, and Installing your Wind System. | Dale D’Alessandro, is one of the owners of Chesapeake Renewable Energy. He has been in the wind business for 7 years and has installed multiple turbines in both residential and commercial applications in Virginia. |
| Friday 3:30 Photo-Voltaic Solar Energy for Home or Business | Explore the promise of solar energy, with discussions of practical applications. Brian Walsh will give a brief overview of PV installation design, then open up the session for your questions. | Brian Walsh, Master Electrician, owner of Solar Connexion in Blacksburg, has been installing photovoltaic solar systems since the late 1980's. |
| Friday 4:30 Energy Auditing with the House of Pressure | This visual demonstration with the House of Pressure model will explain and illustrate diagnostic testing performed during an energy audit and ways that pressure, air flow, and building systems interact to create energy, comfort, and safety problems in dwellings. | Anthony Cox is the building science manager for Community Housing Partners and New River Center for Energy Research and Training in Christiansburg. Anthony provides training throughout North America in residential energy conservation and diagnostics. He developed the "House of Pressure" as a training tool to visually demonstrate home performance testing. |
| Saturday 10:30 (2 for 1 session) -- Carbon Footprint Basics for Home and Business – Green Business Certification | 1. Mark McClain will introduce the Cool Green Biz
program sponsored by Roanoke Regional
Chamber of Commerce and explain how to
participate. 2. Sean McGinnis will explain the methodology and use of carbon footprint analysis in efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve the environment. In addition to some scientific background, a local carbon footprint calculator will be reviewed to help homeowners and businesses begin measuring their carbon footprint. |
Mark McClain (see bio at Friday 1:30, above) Sean McGinnis, Ph.D., is Director of the Green Engineering Program at Virginia Tech. He teaches courses in Life Cycle Analysis, Green Engineering, Materials Selection and Design, and Earth Sustainability. He has helped the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County, Salem, and numerous local businesses and organizations determine their carbon footprints. |
| Saturday 11:30 The Center for Energy Efficient Design: Planting the CEED for the 7th Generation | The presentation will give an overview and history of the Center for Energy Efficient Design (CEED) project in Franklin county. We have just broken ground on an exciting, "zero-energy" educational facility that will be accessible to all learning communities. | John Richardson & Neil Sigmon. John Richardson is a teacher of Environmental Sciences at the Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration. For the last seven years he has worked with Neil Sigmon, who teaches Architecture and Engineering at the Gereau, to develop and fund the educational opportunities that will be available at the CEED. |
| Saturday 12:30 Geothermal Heat Pumps | Learn about geothermal heat pumps from the area’s leading expert. Ed Ricci’s company, Energy Management Services, has been installing ground source geothermal heat pumps for 10+ years (40+ systems installed). In addition to this specialty, he sells and services high-efficiency conventional heat pumps, and a variety of other HVAC equipment. | Ed Ricci is the owner of Energy Management Services. His certifications include Geo Pro Master Geothermal Dealer, Earth Craft green building, geothermal load studies and design, radiant floor heating systems and all standard HVAC needs from heat pumps to boilers to forced air fossil fuel systems. A native of Philadelphia, Ed moved to Giles county, Va. in 1985. |
| Saturday 1:30 “Choosing A Solar Contractor – Five questions to ask BEFORE you sign on the dotted line” | A solar photovoltaic system is a big investment that will last decades IF it is properly designed and installed. This presentation will give you the basic information and resources you need to know about proper design. We will also discuss the five questions your solar contractor should be able to answer BEFORE you sign on the dotted line. | David Zachow is owner of Direct Connect Solar and Electric and installs all types of photovoltaic systems. As a Master Electrician he brings his extensive knowledge to each job for cost effective and safe installation. David works with building code officials and inspectors statewide to explain how the National Electric Code applies to solar systems. |
| Saturday 2:30 Energy Auditing with the House of Pressure | See Details at Friday 4:30, above | Anthony Cox (see bio at Friday 4:30, above) |