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Bluegrass GreenExpo Workshops
Workshop Descriptions - Saturday, October 24, 2009
Elkhorn Room A - Professional Track - Environmental Educators
Hosted by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (state agency) and the Kentucky Association of Environmental Education (professional association). CEUs are available to educators and seminars are Open to All with a focus for families and children over six. Jane Eller coordinating.
10-11:30 am - Are You Smarter then a Fifth Grader? Jenny Howard Presenter
To be environmentally aware you need to understand some basic concepts about how human and natural systems interact. In this workshop you will learn (through hands-on activities) how ecosystems work, what exactly is a renewable resource, how does pollution happen, etc.
1-2:30 pm - A Drop in the Bucket. Michelle Nevels Presenter
Understand how water works for you. Using lots of hands-on activities, learn what a watershed is, how streams and rivers become polluted, the truth about bottled water and how water can make you sick and keep you healthy.
3-4:30 pm - Is it Getting Hot in Here? Pam Proctor and Elizabeth Robb Presenters
We will look at the science and civics of global climate change. Everyone is talking about climate change but what does it really mean. With lots of action and videos we will help you see what is causing climate change, what its effects might be and what each of us can do to help slow it down.
Elkhorn Room B - Professional Track - Architects
The American Institute of Architects is sponsoring the 3:00 p.m. workshop, providing CEUs for architects and it is Open to All. Daniel Ware coordinating.
2-2:50 pm - Zero Net Energy Buildings & the Passive Haus Standard: Strategies and Methods, Richard Levine Presenter
Strategies and methods will be explored for home owners and professionals to meet the Passive Haus Standard resulting in a 90% reduction in energy use, and producing, on site, the energy necessary to yield yearly zero net energy consumption.
3-3:50 pm - New Geothermal HVAC Technologies, Chris Tyler Presenter (AIA CEUs available)
When people think of "Geothermal HVAC" systems, they typically think of water source heat pumps. However, there are now a variety of HVAC technologies that can be used in conjunction with a geothermal well field. This presentation will briefly discuss how geothermal well fields work, discuss various HVAC technologies that can be used with a geothermal well field, and address how these technologies will affect a project's infrastructure and cost.
Elkhorn Room C - Green Building
11-12:50
am - High Performance Homes*: Achieving Comfort and Energy Efficiency
in Home Construction, Bob Geswein Presenter
– * This seminar won the
national Silver Switch Award for the best energy education program
among entries submitted from around the country.
In the High
Performance Home Seminar you will learn the top five most important
decisions you will make during the building process. These are Air
Sealing, Insulation, Foundation, Windows and Doors, and HVAC Systems.
Additional areas covered include framing, caulking, ventilation, water
heating and "shock and awe" facts about fireplaces, recessed lighting,
skylights, hot water circulating pumps and setback thermostats.
1-1:50 pm - Super-Efficient, Passive Solar Homes, Gary Watrous Presenter
Gary Watrous, Solar Architect, started his Louisville firm in 1985.
Since that time he has designed a large number of passive-solar homes,
churches, schools, and other buildings. The goal of his practice is to
design works of architecture that are functional, beautiful and energy
efficient. He wants his custom-designed Sun-Earth homes to cost the
same as conventional custom homes, yet save two to three times the
energy. In his talk, he will describe his design methods and techniques
in detail including use of the patented Solar Airfloor.
2-2:50 pm - Introduction to Solar Electricity or Photovoltaics, Matt Partymiller Presenter
The photovoltaic workshop will feature an introduction to
photovoltaics. What is it? What do I need? What will it cost? What
will it do? The workshop will wrap up with a brief explanation of an
on-site PV system.
3-3:50 pm - Introduction to Solar Hot Water, Andy McDonald Presenter
This workshop will discuss solar water heating systems suitable for
Kentucky's climate, system design, components, collector siting for
optimal performance, and maintenance requirements. There will also be
discussion of system costs and financial return on investment.
4-4:50 pm - Stand-by and Phantom Loads; John Robbins Presenter
Learn about electricity usage and power demand by stuff either left on
but unused or turned off and still using power. US-DOE estimates it's
upto 5% to 10% of national electricity load. If so, it could be over 7
billion watts of baseload (24/7) powerplant demand and 65 billion kWhs
per year just for home energy, not even counting commercial and
industrial use where double that amount is expected! Robbins will show
how to find, meter and control this kind of power consumption, whether
you buy from the grid or live off-grid.
Elkhorn Room D - Sustainable Living
11am-11:50 pm - Green Living for Everyone, Christine Missik Presenter
This is a workshop on practical everyday living with the Earth in
mind. We will survey dozens of workable actions individuals and
families can take to decrease their carbon emissions, and care for our
water, soil, air, and wildlife. This workshop also addresses how
personal actions fit with the need to definitively confront the
environmental crisis.
12-12:50 pm - Magnegas Technology: The Fuel of the Future is Here Today, Mike Klinglesmith Presenter
The Magnegas Technology Workshop will introduce the general public to
the history and technology of Magnegas. Why is it important for
individuals today to be informed on this important technology? So that
they will be in a better position to make important decisions regarding
fuel production and usage in the future. The workshop will consist of
a short description of Magnegas and the Magnegas process, and a tour of
the Magnegas website including several short, (3-5 minute) videos
showing how Magnegas is being utilized today, and its advantages over
other fuels. A question and answer period will conclude the workshop,
as well as a demonstration of the Magnegas fuel outside after the
workshop.
1-1:50 pm - Plant Health Care from the Ground Up, Dave Leonard Presenter
Dave Leonard presents basic guidelines for maintaining healthy trees
and shrubs, naturally. He offers environmentally friendly and organic
options for building healthy soil and dealing with some of the problems
affecting your landscape. The discussion will focus heavily on the
benefits of using compost tea for fertilization and disease management
in plants. In addition Dave will address issues concerning the threat
of the Emerald Ash Borer. This little beetle has killed millions of
Ash trees in North America and has recently been detected in our
community. He can answer questions and offer suggestions for protecting
your Ash trees.
2-2:50 pm – The Legacy Trail, Steve Austin Presenter
The Legacy Center has one mission: to help our community create a
Legacy in advance of the 2010 World Equestrian Games. The goal of this
workshop is to expose attendees to the Legacy Projects: The Legacy
Trail and the revitalization of the East End in Lexington. These two
projects were chosen by the community after a dynamic city-wide public
visioning process in 2007. The Legacy Trail will be a nine-mile
walking and biking trail leading from the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art
Garden in the East End, and other areas in downtown, to the Horse
Park. The revitalization of the East End includes planning and
infrastructure development as well as cultural and retail facilities.
The Project’s background, present status, and future activities will be
discussed.
3-3:50 pm - Green Burials, AnnYager Hamlin Presenter
A funeral should be the celebration of a life lived, as individual as
the person who died. Being eco-friendly is more than a passing fad it
is a way of life for many in Kentucky. A Green burial is a way to be
eco-friendly in death, eliminating the use of chemicals and using goods
that are made in an eco-friendly environment. From cremation to earth
burial we will explore the Green burial options available for the
eco-minded individual.
4-4:50 pm - Rain Gardens Using Native Plants, Jennifer Pennington Presenter
Informative presentation about the values of Native flowers used in a
Rain Garden and how to incorporate native plants into the home and
business landscape.
Workshop Descriptions - Sunday, October 25, 2009
Elkhorn Room A - Transportation
1-1:50 pm - Bicycles, the pinnacle in green transportation: Get a free bike and live better, Wendy Trimble Presenter
Bicycles are a green form of transportation. We will explore the
anatomy of a commuter bike including panniers, racks, lights and
fenders while looking at various biking issues including cycling to
replace short car trips, commuting, designing an appropriate and fun
route, developing your cycling skills, making your workplace cycling
friendly and how to get a free bike. We will also look at Lexington's
cycling infrastructure, the Mayor's Bicycle Task Force, the
Bike-Pedestrian Master Plan and local events.
2-2:50 pm - Introduction to Solar Electricity – Photovoltaics, Matt Partymiller Presenter
The photovoltaic workshop will feature an introduction to
photovoltaics. What is it? What do I need? What will it cost? What
will it do? The workshop will wrap up with a brief explanation of an
on-site PV system
3-3:50 pm - Greener Driving: Improving your vehicle's operating cost, mileage, and emissions. Rob Morris Presenter
"Greener
Driving" is a workshop designed to help you optimize the way you drive
and maintain your vehicle to improve mileage, emissions, and costs.
We'll start with a brief overview of Lexington's fuel consumption and
vehicle emissions. Then, we will review driving and maintenance tips
for getting the most out of your current vehicle.
4-4:50 pm - Oil Addicts Anonymous. Aur Beck Presenter
Are you unhappy about our country's lackadaisical response to climate change and the exploding energy crisis? I know I am! I want to make sure you know what you can do to turn that frustration into action. We will look at transportation efficiency, energy efficiency and renewable energy by asking, " Are you an Oil Addict?" Come learn about the 12 step program of Oil Addicts Anonymous as we work towards a sustainable future.
Elkhorn Room B - Energy
1-1:50 pm - Super-Efficient, Passive Solar Homes, Gary Watrous Presenter
Gary
Watrous, Solar Architect, started his Louisville firm in 1985. Since
that time he has designed a large number of passive-solar homes,
churches, schools, and other buildings. The goal of his practice is to
design works of architecture that are functional, beautiful and energy
efficient. He wants his custom-designed Sun-Earth homes to cost the
same as conventional custom homes, yet save two to three times the
energy. In his talk, he will describe his design methods and techniques
in detail including use of the patented Solar Airfloor.
2-2:50 pm - Green Living for Everyone, Christine Missik Presenter
This is a workshop on practical everyday living with the Earth in
mind. We will survey dozens of workable actions individuals and
families can take to decrease their carbon emissions, and care for our
water, soil, air, and wildlife. This workshop also addresses how
personal actions fit with the need to definitively confront the
environmental crisis.
3-4:50 pm - Energy Prices and CO2 Overview, John Robbins Presenter
Learn how prices and CO2 vary among common energy sources in KY, Ohio
and Indiana. Lower electric prices for all users in parts of KY, but
lower prices for guzzlers in parts of Ohio and Indiana. Cincinnati's
ngas prices are much cheaper than Lexington, but use more per month in
Cincinnati and the price rises. Use more ngas per month in SE Indiana
and price drops. Geothermal is now more expensive than ngas heating in
Cincinnati, but opposite is true for Lexington. More CO2 emissions for
geothermal than ngas, but less CO2 for geothermal than oil or LP.
Elkhorn Room C - Green Building
1-2:50 pm - Retrofitting Homes for Energy Efficiency, Bill Goetz Presenter
New federal and state initiatives are in place for the construction of
energy efficient homes. At present, only home weatherization programs
exist for low-income housing and some tax credits available for those
households making energy efficient appliance purchases or major system
renovations. For homeowners, such a haphazard approach to energy
efficiency is expensive and does not accomplish their energy savings
goals. An energy efficient house is a set of integrated energy
efficient and energy saving systems working together. This workshop is
a case study of an existing home, its systems, and then retrofitted for
energy efficiency. This energy efficient home renovation project is a
demonstration project … theories into practice, attention to details
and the materials available to “make it happen.”
3-3:50 pm - Socially Responsible Investing, Lee Helmers Presenter
Come learn to construct an investment portfolio that reflects your
personal, social and environmental conerns. To manage risk effectively
you must know what you own. And to sleep well at night you must love
what you own. At the core of the SRI investment philosophy is a belief
that, over time, responsible corporate conduct and solid investment
returns go hand in hand.
4-4:50 pm - Rain Gardens Using Native Plants, Jennifer Pennington Presenter
Informative presentation about the values of Native flowers used in a
Rain Garden and how to incorporate native plants into the home and
business landscape.
Elkhorn Room D - Sustainable Living
1-1:50 pm - Green Burials, AnnYager Hamlin Presenter
A funeral should be the celebration of a life lived, as individual as
the person who died. Being eco-friendly is more than a passing fad it
is a way of life for many in Kentucky. A Green burial is a way to be
eco-friendly in death, eliminating the use of chemicals and using goods
that are made in an eco-friendly environment. From cremation to earth
burial we will explore the Green burial options available for the
eco-minded individual.
2-2:50 pm - Plant Health Care from the Ground Up, Dave Leonard Presenter
Dave Leonard presents basic guidelines for maintaining healthy trees
and shrubs, naturally. He offers environmentally friendly and organic
options for building healthy soil and dealing with some of the problems
affecting your landscape. The discussion will focus heavily on the
benefits of using compost tea for fertilization and disease management
in plants. In addition Dave will address issues concerning the threat
of the Emerald Ash Borer. This little beetle has killed millions of
Ash trees in North America and has recently been detected in our
community. He can answer questions and offer suggestions for protecting
your Ash trees.
3-3:50 pm - Where There's a Wind, There's a Way: Basic Electricity 101 and Wind Turbine Technology, Tim Moeller Presenter
Large-scale
wind turbine farms harness winds and convert them to electricity, many
times to supplement the "power grid." These large wind turbines,
however, are not cost-effective for small-scale uses. We'll explore how
urban, suburban, and rural homeowners/small businesses can integrate
clean wind power generation into their sustainability efforts. We will
also learn the basics of ac/dc generators, magnetism, and components of
wind turbines.
4-4:50 pm - Introduction to Solar Hot Water, Andy McDonald Presenter
This workshop will discuss solar water heating systems suitable for
Kentucky's climate, system design, components, collector siting for
optimal performance, and maintenance requirements. There will also be
discussion of system costs and financial return on investment.
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