Tag: Samso Island

Talk of the Towns 5/8/15

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Joel Mann

Issue: Community concerns and opportunities

Program Topic: Community Energy: Bringing the lessons from Samso to Maine Islands

Key Discussion Points:
o Where in the world is Samso Island, and why is it important to the islands of Maine? What is the “energy profile” for Maine islands?
o What led to the visit to Samso by representatives from Island Institute, College of the Atlantic and residents from Maine’s islands? (include references to Fund for Maine Islands and II and COA partnership)
o What lessons did you find most compelling to bring back to Maine?
o How are you bringing some of these these lessons to Maine islands?
o College of the Atlantic: Making the campus fossil fuel free, Home energy audits and air sealing, storm window inserts, and more, etc
o Island Institute: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Energy Education and Leadership, Annual island energy conferences, and more, etc
o Projects on Peakes Island, Long Island
o Community Solar project in Bar Harbor
o What are some of the challenges and opportunities you are working with as this collaborative effort goes forward?
o What are some of the small business opportunities that are emerging connected to this work?
o Are there state or federal policy implications for further community and homeowner energy initiatives?
o How can listeners learn more?

Guests:
Anna Demeo, Director of Energy Education and Management, and Lecturer, College of the Atlantic
Saren Peetz, 4th year Student, College of the Atlantic
Suzanne MacDonald, Community Energy Director, Island Institute
Nate Johnson, Long Island Resident, “Renewable Energy Gateway”
Gary Friedmann, Town Council Member, Bar Harbor,

Talk of the Towns 5/23/14

Producer/Host: Ron Beard
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Community concerns and opportunities

Program Topic: Islands and Energy: Connecting Maine and Samso Island in Denmark

Key Discussion Points:

1. What is the basic approach (human ecology) by which COA frames its education… with others contributing how approach has played out in their own experience with courses and students at College of the Atlantic
2. What has fueled recent/growing interest by students in alternative energy and sustainable business? Do you see obvious and not so obvious connections between the challenge to reduce carbon inputs into the atmosphere and the desire to invent and experiment? How does COA foster exploration of those connections and applications?
3. What led to the connection between the work of the Samso Energy Academy, in Denmark and College of the Atlantic and the Island Institute? (part of the broader collaboration between COA and Island Institute)
4. Describe Samso Island, its geography, economy and energy profile, and the short version of the story that led them to become “carbon neutral”. What most surprises North American visitors to Samso, as they learn about how they have organized themselves and the results they are achieving?
5. The partnership has led you to offer a course called Islands: Energy, Economy and Community, focused on developing initiatives in the renewable energy and finance sectors on MDI and Maine Islands, and involving both COA students and members of island communities. Tell more about how the course was conceived and the short and longer term outcomes you envision.

Guests:
Darron Collins, President, College of the Atlantic
Jay Friedlander, Sharpe-McNally Chair of Green and Socially Responsible Business, College of the Atlantic
Anna Demeo, Director of Energy Operations and Management, College of the Atlantic
Heather Deese, Island Institute
Suzanne MacDonald, Island Institute