Invitation to Bainbridge Island's First Community Energy Meeting
April 23, 2009

Dear Fellow Islanders,

As you know, Puget Sound Energy (PSE) announced at their April 20th Community Energy Workshop that they want to join with the Bainbridge Island community in an ambitious effort to avoid or at least delay constructing a 25 megavolt amperes (MVA) substation. This we believe is a significant gesture by the utility, and is a reflection of the strong and common interest that we as a community have demonstrated. A commendable example of this was the 780 student signatures recently obtained through the Bainbridge Island High School’s Earth Services Corp’s petition; where they “strongly urge” that the implementation of clean energy alternatives be considered.

As set out in our April 13th e-mail to PSE (see copy below), there are indeed a number of viable alternatives to the substation that can be considered to address the growth in our electric power demand and peak load surges. The task before us is entirely achievable but will not be simple or easy; for based on PSE’s analysis, what is required is a 1-2 megawatt (MW) per year reduction in our peak demand. And while we are working to harvest the necessary “negawatts” to meet load reduction targets, PSE will be obligated to continue with its permitting process. If we are unable to deliver results, the construction of the substation will likely occur in spring 2011. There is a brief window of opportunity now before us to create a more sustainable energy path for our community.

The immediate next step in this collaborative process is a “Community Energy Meeting” to outline how we can achieve our common goals. We join City of Bainbridge Island Councilmember Ms. Hilary Franz in this effort, and invite you to attend the meeting at the Bainbridge Island Commons on April 30, 2009 between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Following that meeting, we envision forming a dedicated committee to oversee the implementation of a set of plans to measurably reduce the island’s energy consumption, reduce peak demands while not sacrificing system reliability. It is essential that the committee, which will include PSE, be sufficiently represented by all key stakeholders who have expressed their interest in joining. Importantly, with an active team and partnerships in place, we will be in a strong position to utilize the opportunities that will soon become available. The stars are aligning (finally) to implement clean energy measures that will benefit our families, our community and the environment. But we have to move fast.

Should you have any questions or comments about this ambitious effort please feel free to contact me via e-mail or phone (206-261-5259). Lastly, we encourage you to forward this e-mail to anyone who might be interested.

Best energy,
Joe Deets, Executive Director
Community Energy Solutions

An Open Letter to Puget Sound Energy Asking for Alternatives to Spending Money for yet Another Substation.

April 13, 2009

Dear Ms. Brickey,

We are looking forward to the Bainbridge Island Community Energy Meeting and Workshop planned by Puget Sound Energy on April 20th.

As you are aware, the island’s electricity demand exceeded the nameplate capacity of PSE’s substation in all of 2008 for only about an hour and a half. In addition to presenting the proposed new substation as “the” solution to relieve anticipated transmission capacity constraints and increase reliability, we respectfully ask that PSE be prepared to present 21st Century solutions, with a sufficient assessment of their relative pros and cons.

We make this request because we believe that there are viable alternatives to the new substation that can be a “triple-win”; for the community, the utility and the environment. In particular, we wish to see a discussion which includes the following:

- Conservation and Weatherization (for residential, commercial and industrial users)
- Real Time Monitoring and Demand Response (providing voluntary interruptible service during peak loads)
- Peak and Off-Peak Demand Rates (incentives to reduce usage during peak loads)
- Smart Grid (providing real time visibility of demand and energy use)
- Local Distributed Energy Generation (co-generation, combined heat and power, waste energy recovery, electrical or thermal energy storage, solar power)
- Local Biogas, Syngas or Biomass Production (for fuel switching from electricity to renewable gas)
- Power Factor Correction (to reduce current draw)

In addition, please help us to better understand (on a map) where PSE’s transmission capacity is most limited and where Demand Response or other alternatives on the island would have the biggest effect.

Thank you very much.

Yours truly,

Joe Deets
Executive Director
Community Energy Solutions

Cc:
Association of Bainbridge Communities
Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce
Bainbridge Island School District
Cedars Unitarian Church, Green Sanctuary
City of Bainbridge Island
City of Bainbridge Island Council Members
Community Energy Solutions’ Board Members
Eagle Harbor Congregational Church
Earth Services Corp.
Sustainable Bainbridge
Town and Country Markets Inc.
Transition Town

221 Winslow Way West, #301, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
206-261-5259
www.cenergysolutions.org

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by Tammy Deets, Joe Deets, & Hilary Franz
Nov 01 2008
Guest Column Article posted in the Bainbridge Review

For much of this year, we have seen that reducing our energy consumption is our first line of defense against rising energy prices, while also recognizing it as critical for increasing our nation’s energy security, fostering economic prosperity and combating global warming.

At Puget Sound Energy’s open house on Oct. 22 at the Bainbridge Island Commons, our island was given one more reason to implement energy conservation and renewable energy at our homes, offices, and schools – to avoid the construction of another substation.  

PSE is bound by the electrical needs of our community and plans on beginning the construction of a third substation as early as 2010. Our island’s power demand is increasing, and this substation will no doubt be placed at an island location where its presence will be less than welcomed.

To most people, an electrical transformer is a visual affront – with its caged collection of steel beams, insulators and wires. For Bainbridge Island, such infrastructure stands in stark contrast from the trees that fill much of our island and from what we can do as an alternative.

Efficiency and conservation must be at the top of the list of solutions to our energy challenges. The most efficient and environmentally responsible fossil fuel-based power plant is the one that you never need to build. 

Before we assume that the adding of another substation is the only solution to our needs, we should more wisely use what we already have. It is not only prudent to do so in these uncertain economic times, it is also common sense.

Closely following energy efficiency and conservation is the local generation of renewable energy. It is immensely empowering for people and communities to own and control a productive renewable energy system.

We do not have to look far to find these opportunities being implemented – sometimes just across the street. During the 2008 Kitsap County Solar Tour, islanders opened their doors to show how they were empowered by a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy on-site.

Their very comfortable homes cost far less to maintain because they needed far less energy from the utility.

In addition to these solar homes, an exciting community solar energy project, “Solar for Sakai,” is under way with its first phase scheduled to be completed in November. This project is a collaboration between the school district, Sakai Intermediate School teachers, kids and parents, solar friends and leaders in our community, and Community Energy Solutions.

A 4kW photovoltaic system will be installed on the roof of Sakai to benefit the school and enhance the students’ education opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We should be proud of our community for taking these bold steps towards energy independence.

PSE has expressed interest in working with our community to reduce our energy needs and put off the need for another substation. We should take them up on this and ask them to work with us as we develop a community-based program to address our energy challenges.

Such a program should include a combination of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable-energy solutions.

Our choice is to continue to do things the same way as we did during the last century, or to embrace the 21st century and adapt to using our precious natural resources in a smarter way.

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