Green Scene: SEE Expo workshop descriptions

Friday, Aug. 20

Going Green Begins at Home, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Carl Donovan of Conservation Pros explains 10 things you can do in your home to reduce your energy consumption.
Participatory Democracy, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Members of the North Carolina Green Party discuss representative government, state election law, the obligation of political parties and the Green Party’s platform.

Introduction to Permaculture, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Alan and Jessica Enzo of the nonprofit organization Happily Distracted Permaculture explore the basics of permaculture philosophy and sustainable agriculture.
Youth on the Roof! 4:30-5:30 p.m. Accem Scott and John Hairfield discuss Green Brothers Solar, which installs solar hot-water systems while training inner-city youths for jobs in the solar industry.

Smart Grid Technology, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Progress Energy’s Becky Harrison and Bobby Simpson share the utility company’s Smart Grid vision and roadmap of current investments in initiatives to meet changing electricity needs.
Green Home Certification Programs, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Maggie Leslie, program director of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council, describes the requirements of the ENERGY STAR, NC HealthyBuilt Homes, and LEED for Homes programs.
How Your Home Works! 3:30-4:30 p.m. Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners tells how homes work, how they break down and how they can be fixed to ensure optimum performance, indoor air quality and safety.
Green MLS 4:30-5:30 p.m. Quint David with the Appalachian State University Energy Center offers tips to make sure your green home and efficiency features get the added value they deserve.
Green Building Tax Incentives, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Steve Linton, director of sustainable technologies for Deltec Homes, outlines the local, state, federal, utility and other incentives that can help you improve your home or build a new green home.
Federal Energy Policy — Post Oil Disaster, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Jennifer Rennicks, federal policy director for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, discusses the effects of the Gulf oil disaster on our energy-policy-development process.
Radiators in the Home, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tomas Koenig of Advanced Thermal Solutions explains how radiators that are based on Jaga low-temperature technology can work for new construction, retrofit, residential and commercial applications.
Principles of Heating and Cooling 4:30-5:30 p.m. Rick Bayless of Conservation Pros describes how geothermal, solar, and other alternative forms of heating and cooling work.
Solar Thermal Evolution, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tomas Koenig of Advanced Thermal Solutions talks about technological advances made in the solar-thermal arena.
Grid-Tied Solar 1:30-2:30 p.m. Bruce Wood with Sunstore Solar outlines the applications and opportunities of grid-tied photovoltaic electrical systems in the region.
Harnessing the Power of the Sun, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Ben Yoke with Sundance Power Systems describes today’s available active solar-energy systems and addresses appropriate applications, system components, design and economics of both solar-thermal and solar-electric technologies.
Rainwater Collection, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Joshua Runion of North American Rain Systems presents the basics of rainwater-harvesting system design and installation.

Saturday, Aug. 21

Help Defend Our Native Habitat, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Ecologist Bob Gale of the Western North Carolina Alliance reveals how to identify the region’s most common, pernicious exotic invasive plants and the best methods for controlling them.
Introduction to Permaculture, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Alan and Jessica Enzo of Happily Distracted Permaculture explore the basics of permaculture philosophy and sustainable agriculture.
The Philosophy of Sustainability, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Dave Hollister, owner of Sundance Power Systems, talk about the meaning of sustainability — plus how to become more sustainable in our lives and businesses.
From Dirt to Shirt, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Eric Henry, president of T.S. Designs, details how to grow, spin, weave, manufacture, print and sell local T-shirts — incorporating local farmers, local manufacturing and more — all while showcasing business practices that make a profit and are good for people and our planet.
Save the Planet with Your Knife and Fork, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Stewart David of Carolina Animal Action tells how switching to a plant-based diet can be the most effective way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Carl Donovan of Conservation Pros reveals how to claim your share of the available incentives and rebates while improving the comfort and value of your home.
Energy Efficiency on a Budget, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Amy Musser, mechanical engineer and residential energy consultant with VandeMusser Design, talks about cost-effective ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Top 10 Home Energy Tips 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Marcus Renner, project manager for Green Opportunities in Asheville, reveals the 10 most effective and immediate ways to reduce your home’s energy consumption.
Making a Crawlspace Clean and Dry, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners will cover easy and effective retrofit solutions to crawlspace problems.
Planning for Green Building 2:30-3:30 p.m. Matt Vande, architect and home-energy rater with VandeMusser Design, shares insights for those planning a new green construction project or a green remodeling project.
Saving Energy and Water in Your Home, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Steve Linton, director of sustainable technologies for Deltec Homes, describes the most cost-effective and user-friendly upgrades to achieve the greatest results.
Green Home Certification Programs, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Maggie Leslie, program director of the Western North Carolina Green Building Council, explains the requirements of the ENERGY STAR, NC HealthyBuilt Homes and LEED for Homes programs.
Close to Home: Nuclear Waste, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Members of the Common Sense at the Nuclear Crossroads group discuss the national and regional energy-policy decisions that could increase shipments of radioactive waste traveling through Western North Carolina.
Nuclear Energy Park? 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Susan Corbett, chairwoman of the South Carolina chapter of the Sierra Club, speaks on the Department of Energy’s plans to develop a nuclear energy park in South Carolina and the regional implications.
Wind Policy In North Carolina, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Dennis Scanlin, professor and coordinator of the Appropriate Technology Program at Appalachian State University, reports on the current state of regional affairs for developing wind power.
State of Coal: North Carolina, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Ulla Reeves of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy talks about the status of coal plants in North Carolina, the source for our coal, coal-ash ponds and more.
Mountain Mythos, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Kitty Boniske and Mandy Hancock lead a panel discussion on why Western North Carolina is still on the list for the nation’s high-level nuclear waste dump and what anyone can do about it.
Paying for Waste Forever, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Mary Olson, Southeast coordinator of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, discusses the Southeast’s distinction of having more nuclear-power-plant proposals than any other region — and how state laws contribute to this situation.
Small-Scale Wind Systems, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Brent Summerville, one of the nation’s leading wind-power experts, offers an introduction to turbines, towers, site analysis, wiring and more.
Micro-Hydro Systems, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Grayson Newell of Sundance Power Systems describes basic site requirements for micro-hydro electric systems, standard system design, components and operation.
Living Off Grid, Really! 1:30-2:30 p.m. Aur “Da Energy Mon” Beck, owner of Advanced Energy Solutions, offers fun, interesting and low-cost ways to start living off the grid now.
Practical Photovoltaics, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Bryan Walsh, owner of Solar Connexion, leads an informal Q-and-A about anything photovoltaic.
Smart Grid Technology, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Progress Energy’s Becky Harrison and Bobby Simpson share the utility company’s Smart Grid vision and roadmap of current investment initiatives to meet electricity needs.
Environmental Justice: Why It Matters, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Green Opportunities’ Energy Team Manager Torin Kexel talks about the personal achievements and community benefits of sustainable development.

Sunday, Aug. 22

Leap of Faith, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tom Sineath, CEO of T.S. Designs and member of the Front Street United Methodist Church, explores our roles and responsibilities as stewards of God’s creation.
Make Mine Electric, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jack Martin of the Triad Electric Vehicle Association outlines the technical aspects of high-efficiency electronic controls, energy storage, regenerative power and AC/DC motors in electric vehicles.
Biomass Heat and Power, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tomas Koenig of Advanced Thermal Solutions explores the local, sustainable alternatives to oil and gas for residential and commercial applications via new-system technology based on biomass boilers.
Jobs and Education at AB-Tech, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Carl Donovan of Conservation Pros and Jon Snover of A-B Tech discuss the community college’s Global Institute for Sustainability Technologies and its new two-year sustainability degree.
Replacing your Heating/Cooling System, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Isaac Savage of Home Energy Partners outlines the basics of HVAC systems and what homeowners should focus on when they upgrade.
The Missing Homeowners Manual, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Carl Donovan of Conservation Pros shares how your home's systems interact for greater efficiency, cost savings, home comfort and a better investment.
Building Performance 101, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Marcus Renner, project manager for Green Opportunities in Asheville and a building technologies expert, explores the finances of energy-efficiency upgrades for your home’s building performance.
Designing a Green Home, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Steve Linton, director of sustainable technologies for Deltec Homes, advocates for an approach that’s cost-effective, practical and beneficial for both the homeowner and the planet.
Tax Incentives for Green Building and Remodeling, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Amy Musser of VandeMusser Design navigates the maze of federal, local, state and utility incentives for green building and remodeling.
Wasting Fuel and Water, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Regional experts discuss the energy and fresh water wasted in generating power with conventional fuels compared to wind, solar and energy-efficiency technologies.
Paying for Power with Your Health, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Members of Western North Carolina Physicians for Social Responsibility argue that sustainable energy means better health, lower healthcare costs and a cleaner environment.
Certified Green Business, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Quint David, Watauga Green Business Plan coordinator for the Appalachian State University Energy Center, explains how one WNC county is paving the way for small businesses to walk down the road of sustainable business practices and triple-bottom-line accounting.
Energy Options on the Farm, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Richard Freudenberger, author, publisher of BackHome magazine and a nationally recognized sustainable-energy expert, explores proven, available and affordable options for solar, wind, biomass, ethanol, methane and more that work for agricultural enterprises.
Methane Biogas Production, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Regional biofuels expert Brian Winslett tells how to run your natural gas and propane appliances with methane from home and community-scale biogas digesters that use household, yard, farm, and readily available community waste streams.
Ethanol Production, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Richard Freudenberger, author of Alcohol Fuel: A Guide to Making and Using Ethanol as a Renewable Fuel, presents a common-sense, practical approach to making ethanol that goes beyond corn.
BioFuels Today, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Experts from Blue Ridge Biofuels, one the first commercial producers in the region, talk about the applications and current challenges facing the biofuels industry today.

For full descriptions, go to www.seeexpo.com.