Energy Fair Presentations

Schedule MG Energy and Sustainability Fair

Session 1- 10:00-11:00:

Extreme Makeover: World Edition – Building a Sustainable Future
The Natural Step Monona
Room IMC 

To move toward sustainability, we must start with a solid framework – a shared understanding and language of sustainability.
Learn:
1. The root causes of “un-sustainability;”
2. A robust, science-based definition of sustainability and systems;
3. A widely-used strategic framework for how to “get there;” and
4. The Big-C Community bonus.

Monona Grove – Energy Performance Contract Overview
Nathan Nygaard, and James Rognstad
Room 183 

Monona Grove School District is working With McKInistry Inc. in implementing an energy plan for the district. This presentation will discuss the Energy Performance Contract process, the process that Monona Grove went through and the results.

How to Build a Better Window
Ross Depaola-
Room 165

Windows are a large portion of building energy use. This session will focus on how tools and technology is being used to create better windows.

Session 2- 11:15-12:15:

Who Said That Ant Can’t? Looking at Innovative Ways to Produce Biofuels
Garret Suen PhD & Frank Aylward  UW-Madison Currie Lab
Room IMC

Learn about the latest research from Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and their efforts to address sustainability issues affecting our planet.  The research center is focusing on developing new, more efficient methods for converting the cellulose in plant material into ethanol or other biofuels that serve as a substitute for gasoline. Leaf Cutter Ants are just one species that may make this possible.

Permaculture and Community Resiliency
Zach Ferdinand
Room 165

Permaculture is the practice of designing human systems using patterns found in healthy ecosystems.  Based on the three principles of care for the earth, care for other and share the wealth we will look at how we can turn our towns into truly sustainable communities.

Explore Focus on Energy
Doug Dettlaff
Room 183

Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and businesses to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled.

Session 3- 12:30-1:30:

Eat Fresh, Eat Local, Eat Fast
Sandye Adams
Room 170

We will explore fast and easy dinner recipes that use fresh and local produce. We also discuss ways to preserve garden summer harvests for use in the winter when fresh local produce is not available. We will also make our own meal that will include pizza, soup, and salad.

Collecting Ice Core in Antarctica

Tony Wendricks

Room 165

Collecting ice core in Antarctica, I had only seen it on National Geographic until the University of Wisconsin received a contract from the National Science Foundation to do just that.  I will show you what it takes, how we get there, the clothing, and some snapshots of Antarctica.  I’ll even let you touch a real ice core!

"Reaching the Limit: The Beginning of the End of Oil."
Justin Bloesch and Ross DePaola
Room- IMC

Oil has become necessary for our daily lives, but cheap, easy oil is getting harder to find. Learn why expensive and environmentally destructive oil is part of our future and what that means for our communities, the economy, and the environment.

Case Studies: Comparing Actual Energy Savings on Remodeling Projects
Chad Speight, CR
Room 183

This presentation compares actual  energy savings on residential homes, after various remodeling projects were completed.  Chad Speight, owner of Chad’s Carpentry, has collected data from 10 recent projects, to compare energy savings on projects where energy efficiency was a major goal of the project.  Learn about various approaches to reduce home energy consumption, and the savings that you might expect based on this sampling of projects.

Session 4 1:45-2:45:

Starting a Community Garden-Act Locally to Think Globally
Aaron Adams
Room 183

 A community garden not only brings local communities together to appreciate the experience of growing fresh organic produce for the home, but it can also serve the community directly through donations of produce to local food banks. A local garden guarantees freshness and quality of food at the same time as reducing energy costs used in manufacturing and transportation of packaged goods. The Columbus Community Garden is in its second year and is continuing to grow and expand membership, and we still have many welcomed challenges to overcome. In this presentation, I will discuss the Columbus community garden experience through our first two years, and its benefits to the community.

Dane County Energy Initiatives
Robin Schmidt
Room IMC

This program will highlight some of Dane County’s initiatives to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.  Installation of geo-thermal heating and cooling systems, the potential for digesters to generate power, remove phosphorus and keep pollutants out of our waters, and other initiatives will all be discussed.  

The Basics of LED Lighting
Rob Everhart

Room 165

LED lighting has great potential for the lighting of the future. Not only is LED lighting much more efficient than convential lighting, but The life expectancy of LED lamps ranges from 50,000 to 100,000 hours resulting in extended periods of time without maintenance or replacement. Learn more about recent changes in LED lighting and it's future potential for homes and businesses.