January Speaker - Shawn Gehle

OC Renewables is proud to announce our first speaker for 2011. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Duck Club in Irvine.

Topic:
 
“Consumers as Producers“
Motivators for Reconsidering our Aging Distribution and Consumption-Centric Energy Model
 
Speaker Bio:
 
Shawn Gehle has sought a diverse experience in his career, which includes professional practice and teaching in the U.S. and abroad, believing that cross-disciplinary interaction contributes to his rigorous methodology for thinking and making.
 
Having formerly worked for BNIM Architects, one of the nation’s most recognized sustainable design firms, Shawn was instrumental in leading the design direction of projects and introducing BNIM to emerging materials and technologies. During his tenure at BNIM he was an integral part of the design and research team that worked on The David & Lucile Packard Foundation headquarters in Los Altos, California, a project that was nationally recognized with awards in sustainability and applied research. The experience solidified his commitment to long term thinking and the consequences of designing in our fragile environment, while reaffirming his interest in multidisciplinary design teams as means of achieving a balance the between the art and science in architecture.
 
Since moving to Los Angeles in 2005, Shawn has continued his material and sustainability research, most recently as a contributor to Blaine Brownell’s book "Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment". A brief stint working at Clive Wilkinson Architects, found him working directly with creative workplace guru Clive Wilkinson, helping to shape his interest in color and the role of graphic design in architecture.
 
While working with Gensler, Shawn has balanced his time between projects and applied research ranging from the recently completed Ritz Carlton Hotel and Residences at L.A. Live to the creation of the Los Angeles Community College District’s pioneering Sustainability Guidelines.

Call For Presenters!

We are looking for presenters to speak at future Orange County Renewable Energy Society (OC Renewables) chapter meetings. OC Renewables is the local chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. The Chapter's primary focus is to increase the intelligent use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in Orange County. Made up of industry professionals, renewable energy providers, municipalities, and concerned citizens, the Chapter promotes the commercialization of renewable energy in order to facilitate its use in residential and commercial buildings.
 
 
The Chapter meets on the second Thursday of each month. The presentation topic should be in line with the organization’s vision and should consist of about 20 to 30 slides for a total presentation of approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Potential presenters are asked to email their bio and an outline of their presentation to info@ocrenewables.org.

Helpful Links

OC Renewables is a chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. Established in 1954, the American Solar Energy Society is the nation's leading association of solar professionals & advocates. Our fellow ASES chapters in San Diego and Northern California are on the web and doing great things in their local communities.



We have broken down this page into different sections: Renewables Providers, Renewables-Friendly Businesses, Renewables Education, Renewables Non-Profit Organizations, and Green Marketers and Events. Our members belong to these organizations and give them our highest recommendation.

Renewables Providers

Mehr Solar has planned, designed, and delivered more than 3.7 megawatts of solar energy systems throughout the United States. Mehr Solar is an approved contractor by the Electric & Gas Industries Association of America, licensed by the the California State License Board in excellent standing and a member of the American Solar Energy Society and the Solar Energy Industries Association. Mehr Solar has certified engineers, designers, and installation crews on staff.

Renewables-Friendly Businesses

Canopy Energy Consulting is a full service energy management solutions provider. They specialize in helping homeowner’s gauge their home’s efficiency by performing a comprehensive energy assessment, reduce their energy usage and save money on their utility bills through efficiency upgrades. Canopy’s holistic approach to energy efficiency provides you with the tools you need to successfully reduce your carbon footprint.



KPR Consulting provides Structural and General Civil consulting services for Buildings and Non-Building Projects. As a strong advocate of implementing renewable energies, KPR provides green solutions for clients interested in environmentally friendly technologies.




Permaculture Properties is Orange County's Green Real Estate Sales and Marketing Specialist. Permaculture is headed by Evan Little. His services range from standard real estate sales and leases to specialized green real estate consultation.



BrightKnoll is a professional services firm focused on helping clients identify, plan, and execute initiatives to enhance profitability, increase customer reach, and improve business operations. Targeted results are achieved from the development of innovative ideas applied through business strategy, technology, and outsourcing.


One Block Off The Grid is a community-based program that organizes group discounts on residential solar panels.

Renewables Education

The Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP) at UCI has had numerous demonstration projects.  For example, the Center includes ZEVNET, a demonstration project with the City of Irvine with electric cars (with company and community participation), a Distributed Technology Testing Facility, a combustion lab which can test different fuels as well as other testing and evaluation capabilities (the center has had a solar panel system on its building since the mid-90’s and has capability of testing connections of systems to the grid).


The Center for Solar Energy at UCI is doing research in:

• Metal-Semiconductor Hybrid Nanowires Utilizing Plasmonics for Concentrating Solar Radiation
• Quantum Dot Solar Cells
• Molecular Machines for Solar-Powered Photochemistry
• Direct Solar Thermal-to-Electrical Energy Conversion using Thermoelectric Nanowires
• Developing Sustainable Materials for Solar Energy Conversion

UCI also has an active student environmental community, with 11 different student clubs. One of those in particular is the Sustainable Energy Technology Club (SETC). The Sustainable Energy Technology Club is a student organization that promotes the inspiration, education, and application of sustainable ideas to students, particularly in science and engineering related fields. With the common theme of energy, club members will explore how science and technology can be used as a driving factor behind making changes in society with respect to a cleaner environment and less wasteful lifestyles. SETC will accomplish its goals by means of SETC's Energy Sustainability Seminar Series, monthly field trips or activities, and through the support of engineering student senior design projects where students are able to come up with their own solutions and to physically build or model them.

Allied Schools - Training for Green
At Allied, students can train to meet the growing demands of the renewables industry in a convenient, online environment.  From the Business of Solar and LEED Green Building Practices to Advanced Principles of Photovoltaic Installation, Allied offers a variety of self-paced training courses create a strong foundation for students who are working towards taking certification exams, such as:

NABCEP Entry Level Certification (Allied is an Approved Provider of the NABCEP Entry Level Exam)

• NABCEP PV Certification
• RESNET Home Energy Survey Professional Certification
• LEED Green Associate Certification Exam

After you complete training, Allied makes it easy to keep your credentials current. Allied offers online, self paced courses that have been approved by the USGBC, BPI, NABCEP and IREC for Continuing Education (CE) credits.

In addition to serving the needs of individual renewable energy students, Allied creates training solutions for companies in the renewables industry. Allied can supply your company with renewable energy graduates, as well as customized courses that meet the unique training needs of existing employees.

Allied is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). With over 825,000 enrollments since 1992, quality online education is their specialty.  Please visit www.training4green.com to learn more.

Renewables Non-Profit Organizations

The U.S. Green Building Council Orange County Chapter's mission is to engage all Green Building stakeholders to be the conduit of change for a more sustainable Orange County through innovative communication, education, resources and advocacy. We envision Orange County to be a vibrant place to live, learn, work and play.  USGBC-OC promotes the integration of the built and natural environments to foster sustainable, healthy, and prosperous communities.


OC Renewables is also a big fan of the Solar Energy Industries Association. Since 1974, SEIA works to expand the use of solar technologies, strengthen research and development, remove market barriers, and improve education and outreach for solar. They are also home to the Solar Bill of Rights.©


The California Center for Sustainable Energy is a non-profit organization dedicated to Greening Your World®. They are based in San Diego. They have a number of free workshops and are a handy resource for all things renewable.

Green Marketers and Events

Three Squares Inc. believes in designing strategies that ensure sustainable growth, communicate your commitment to social responsibility and instill loyalty from your customers.



Cyberia Media tells your story. Video. Motion Graphics. Print. ID. Web. Events. Booth. Kiosk. iPhone. Regional. National. Global. Personal. An audience of one... thousand... million... No screen is too small... No audience too big.




Honest Conversation.com is an internet marketing firm in Costa Mesa. Honest Conversation builds custom sites, optimizes those sites with search engines, integrates those platforms in social networks, manages online campaigns, and helps improve the relationship your organization has with your customers. A part of Honest Conversation.com's profits are donated to CarbonFund.org.

Get Involved with an OC Renewables Committee

OC Renewables is made up of the following committees with certain responsibilities. They are:

• Membership - Making sure that members are getting the most value of their membership in the organization.

• Education - Educating the public and stakeholders of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

• Advocacy - Advocating for public policies that advance the renewable energy and energy efficiency industry.

• Communications - Getting the word out about OC Renewables in Orange County and throughout Southern California.

Overview of OC Renewables

Per the bylaws, the purpose of OC Renewables is to:

Promote wide utilization of renewable energy through such means as providing renewable energy education, promoting the application of renewable energy technologies, and acting as a renewable energy technologies expert resource for the people of Orange County, CA, thereby increasing public awareness of renewable technologies and insuring its proper application.

A copy of the bylaws of this organization can be found here.

ASES Holiday Gift Offer - Sustainable Gifts

You may click on this logo for a PDF version.

Profit Plus Planet Conference - March 24-25, 2011

OC Renewables is proud to sponsor the Profit + Planet Conference hosted by The Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine. The event will be take place at the Marriott Irvine on March 24-25, 2011. More info at www.profitplusplanet.com.

Long Beach Solar Grand Prix will be held on April 9, 2011

Long Beach Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is sponsoring the second Annual Solar Grand Prix (April 9, 2011) competition in which students, grade 6-12, are invited to design and build a solar-powered model car that will complete a race in the shortest possible time using the available power.

The Solar Grand Prix challenges students to use scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation, and teamwork to design and build high-performance model solar vehicles.
Teams will receive a Solar Car Kit, which includes a solar panel and an electric motor. Using any other materials, competitors will design and build a model solar-powered vehicle that will race on a 20-meter (65-foot) racecourse. The winner of the competition will be the team whose vehicle is the top finisher in a series of head to head elimination rounds.
For more information about the Solar Grand Prix, contact Jacob Sangiorgio, Neighborhood Liaison in the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 562-570-3102 or jacob.sangiorg@longbeach.gov

December 9 Holiday Mixer

OC Renewables and the Young Professionals in Energy Holiday Mixer

Thursday, December 9th, 2010 at 6:30pm
Kimera Restaurant and Lounge located at
19530 Jamboree Road, Irvine CA.

*Complimentary Valet Parking
 

The Orange County Renewables Society (OC Renewables) and the Young Professionals in Energy (YPE) have teamed up for a Holiday Mixer! Join us for a casual networking cocktail party in a stylish setting at Kimera Restaurant and Lounge in Irvine.

For more information on Kimera, please visit their website at www.kimerarestaurant.com. 

Contact info@ocrenewables.org or visit www.ocrenewables.org for more information.

 

Thanks to our partner!