Sustainable Power Program
Sustainable power is electricity generated from renewable sources (sometimes referred to as "Green Power"). It is does not deplete non-renewable resources and has minimal environmental impact. Its generation produces fewer of the emissions associated with acid rain, smog, or climate change. Because it is decentralized and distributed, catastrophic events such as the August 14, 2003 East Coast Blackout in the USA are less likely and can be recovered from more quickly. Among its many other benefits is that it augments traditional energy supplies and produces jobs though the development of a new industry. If a building is energy efficient, it becomes less expensive both to buy and to operate: This becomes even more true when the building is linked to sources that provide power sustainably.
Increased use of green types of electricity will continue to transform sustainable energy from a niche market to a major source of power supply. We encourage this goal by seeking out market and government incentives to implement products, systems, and technologies in highly visible building contexts. Hickory is currently consulting on the two largest photovoltaic arrays in New England, now under construction. We are also working on a multifamily building project, which will have a biodeisel combined heat and power system, the first in the country. This system uses renewable soy-based biofuel to produce electricity, hot water, and heat for the building. We support using biofuels, wind power, photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, geothermal, and other sources of alternative energy and were among the first to engage in R&D for the application of these to buildings in the 1970s.
We work with partners such as the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, as well as building products manufacturers and housing providers to accomplish these ends.
