SHORELINE — The first annual Renewable Energy Fair, sponsored by the Shoreline Solar Project (SSP) and Meridian Park third graders, proved to be quite a lively affair.
The energy was supplied by solar panels and energetic people, of course.
The June 12 event at Meridian Park Elementary School provided residents with 26 exhibits and demonstrations, including solar cookers, biodiesel cars, solar scooters and motorcycles powered by solar-charged batteries. Students also displayed projects on renewable energy topics.
Larry Owens, spokesperson for SSP, a local non-profit dedicated to bringing renewable energy projects to the community, said about 400 people attended the first-time event.
One of the most popular “toys” at the event was the Segway Human Transporter, Owens said. The city of Seattle now uses Segways, self-balancing transportation devices, as a means of transportation for meter readers, instead of service vans. This saves the city money and reduces pollution.
“In case of meter readers, this makes environmental sense,” Owens said. “The meter readers would get out of their vans with the engine running the whole time; the Segway saves money with fuel costs and is energy responsible.”
Matt Moreno, a Mill Creek resident who was at the event on behalf of Turbofroggy Biodiesel, a non-profit biodiesel co-op, said people were curious to learn more about biodiesel, which is made from natural resources such as vegetable oils from plants and recycled restaurant greases. Biodiesel costs $3.12 per gallon and produces less air pollution than petroleum diesel, he said. However, it can only be used in vehicles with diesel engines.
“People want to know how to make it work in gas vehicles,” Moreno said.
Owens said it seemed natural to combine the SSP and Meridian Park third graders for the fair, because teachers have been integrating renewable energy topics into the curriculum in preparation for the installation of a solar electric system.
A grant from Seattle City Light’s Green Power Program is funding the project. This project succeeded, Owens said, because SSP members found support at the school level from the principal and teachers, as well as parents and PTA members. The solar power system is expected to be installed during summer break, Owens said.
“The system will provide enough electricity to power a classroom,” Owens said. “But the intention is not so much to power the school as to demonstrate what the system can do for public institutions, buildings and private residences in Shoreline.”
Meridian Park Elementary school is the most energy-efficient school in the district, Owens said, after being renovated in 1995. One grant application requirement by Seattle City Light was that the school be active in conservation efforts.
City Council member Maggie Fimia, who attended the fair, said she was pleased with the event, which had displays from waste management to electric cars.
“This will be a great annual affair for the community,” Fimia said.
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