November 4, 2011 (Friday)

Continuing Education Opportunity Professional Development Courses for Engineers: Getting the Waters Tested-The Marcellus Shale Factor
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November 19, 2011 (Saturday)

LEED® Green Associate Exam Prep
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August 19, 2011 ( Friday )

Landfill Gas-to-Energy Tour: Chrin Brothers Landfill Gas-to-Energy project
Presentation: Challenges to Getting it Done
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Chrin Landfill and PPL Renewable Energy Gas-to Energy Project. On August 19, 2011, the P2E2 Round Table was hosted by Chrin Landfill, Easton, regarding their recently finished landfill gas-to-energy project. Chrin Landfill desires to be a leader in developing its Green Energy Business Park site into a model facility and plans to take traditional business park development to the next level by fully incorporating energy efficiency and renewable energy into a sustainable community. The centerpiece of the Green Energy Park at Glendon Business Park III is the landfill gas-to-energy facility that is owned and operated by PPL Renewable Energy. The power park can provide 3200 kilowatts of power (25,000,000 kWh per year) and 35,000 MMBTUs of heat or hot water to manufacturing companies planned for this site. In addition, excess landfill gas will be made available to manufacturers for direct use in their processes for heating systems.

Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Marleen Troy, Wilkes University

June 21, 2011 (Tuesday)

On June 21, 2011, twenty individuals attended the PAEP P2E2 Roundtable at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Monroe County. The topic of the meeting was on renewable energy and focused on the 3 MW solar farm recently constructed at the track. The meeting began with President, Brandon Igdalksy’s overview of the project. The track's 25-acre solar farm produces between 3 million to 4 million kilowatt hours per year providing power for the track, and will also add electricity to the local power grid. Over 2.9 million kilowatt hours have been produced since August 25, 2010.

The total project cost was $16 million dollars. The system utilizes 95% American made products and contains 39,690 solar panels. Pocono produces enough electricity to sell back to the grid and supply one thousand homes. Mr. Igdalsky explained that the panels also work well with two inches of snow because they are optimized for low light conditions. All of the panels are 100% recyclable. They do lose about 0.5% efficiency each year. The inverter is guaranteed for ten years. The system requires no maintenance except dusting during the high pollen season. The raceway’s electric bill was several hundred thousand dollars per year, however, now it does not have an electric bill and produces 40% more electricity than needed.

Igdalsky also highlighted NASCARS green flag tree program which donates 10 trees to local organizations for every green flag dropped during a race. Other green initiatives include NASCAR switching to E15 fuel. After the meeting the steering committee convened to discuss future meeting topics. The Roundtable thanks Brandon Igdalsky and Mike Parrent, Tobyhanna Army Depot, for providing the bagels and coffee. Click here for photos of the roundtable event are attached courtesy of Dr. Marleen Troy, Wilkes University.