Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Energy independence day: July 4th and everyday

By Tina Prigge on July 6th, 2010

Happy Independence Day!

As we celebrated the July 4th holiday, I was thinking about our reduced energy consumption at home due to the time spent outdoors camping and grilling out.  With so many other families enjoying similar pursuits, I wondered whether there was a perceptible period of relief to the congestion on the constrained grid. That thought led to further musings about displacement and being able to accomplish the same goal via different methods. For example, cooking a meal traditional style over an electric stove or firing up the barbie. The end result is the same — a yummy supper — though the energy input required was quite different.  

In our quest for energy independence, alternative energy sources — instead of the status quo — absolutely can help us meet our energy needs as global citizens while proactively preserving the environment. New technology alternative energy sources include displacement options as well as renewable options that when integrated deliver price stability and savings to cope with fluctuating energy costs while reducing carbon footprint. Particularly during the hot summer months beginning with the 4th of July when demand is high, this type of energy diversity is the ideal solution to have in one’s energy portfolio to achieve energy independence. 

Consider leaders in environmental progress and social responsibility like Anheuser-Busch. At Anheuser-Busch’s Newark, N.J., brewery, the company is achieving optimal power without compromise by capturing the clean renewable energy of the sun via a rooftop installation of solar photovoltaic panels. The solar array, manufactured in the U.S., is dedicated to delivering the results AB requires to maintain its high-quality operations. The energy input has changed to deliver cost savings, energy diversity, and a reduced carbon footprint for an enhanced end result — quality operations and energy independence. Happy Independence Day Anheuser-Busch and to all the other energy independence leaders.

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The Transportation of the Future

By Kevin Braley on May 12th, 2010

An event in Elkhart Lake, Wis., on Monday marked the culmination of work by dozens of students in Wisconsin who built, from scratch, battery-powered cars.

And while the students learned skills like problem solving, teamwork, time management and electronics, spectators were given a glimpse into the future of transportation.

The cars competed in Electrathon Wisconsin events, which included determining how many laps around the Road America raceway the vehicles could complete in an hour. Batteries were the cars’ only power source.

The goal of Electrathon Wisconsin “is to bring attention to the environmental problems of conventional cars and demonstrate the viability of electric vehicles. The program provides a means of teaching young people how to evaluate alternatives and make sustainable lifestyle choices …” according to the group.

Orion supports the program’s mission and sponsored the No. 23 Orion car from Plymouth High School, built by seniors Brenden Schulz and Bob Chase. The students, both 18, plan on attending Michigan Tech in the fall as engineering majors.

Orion, which has developed solar technologies for commercial and industrial facilities, believes electric cars are eminent, and that they can be powered by the sun — the most abundant source of renewable energy available.

These students, through the skills they’ve acquired at this event might change the energy paradigm and one day revolutionize transportation by developing technologies that use photovoltaic systems to power electric vehicles.

We applaud all of the students involved in Electrathon Wisconsin. They are true innovators working toward a clean energy future.

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Earth Day at 40

By Tina Prigge on April 22nd, 2010

On a beautiful spring day, when a warm breeze blows and the sun kisses your nose, it’s easy to love Mother Earth.  And it’s easy to understand why Senator Gaylord Nelson, the father of Earth Day, selected April 22, the pinnacle of the spring season, on which to celebrate Earth Day.

Was it a beautiful day on that first Earth Day celebration back on April 22, 1970 when twenty million Americans came together across the nation for the right to a clean and healthy environment?  Regardless of the weather, the legacy of the event has put the environment firmly on the national agenda with celebrations happening concurrently in countries around the world.

Senator Gaylord Nelson was a true visionary.  Having served two terms as Governor of the great state of Wisconsin, he was fully cognizant that Wisconsin is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and conceived of recognizing the importance of a sustainable environment with a “national teach-in on the environment”.  Thanks to his pioneering leadership the environment secured its position as a bona fide interest worthy of public attention.  The first Earth Day marked a turning point in the national consciousness followed by a decade of sweeping environmental legislation and reform.

It’s remarkable that the Earth Day message still resonates four decades later.  As we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, it is with thanks to Gaylord Nelson for his far-seeing environmental initiatives that have been embraced around the globe, an initiative that is still going strong with the torch being carried by Tia Nelson.   As Executive Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, Ms. Nelson oversees the management of approximately 78,000 acres of Trust Lands located in northern Wisconsin.

Orion is proud to be a sponsor of the Earth Day at 40: Valuing Wisconsin’s Environmental Traditions, Past, Present and Future event in Madison.

Wherever you celebrate Earth Day this year, I hope you’ll join me in stepping outside, taking a deep breath of fresh air and pausing in a moment of gratitude to Gaylord and Tia Nelson for leading the environmental social movement. 

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Events mark 40th Earth Day celebration

By Kevin Braley on April 16th, 2010

A lot happened in 1970.

Apollo 13 was launched, “The Long and Winding Road” became The Beatles’ last No. 1 hit, and Monday Night Football debuted.

Additionally, the average price of a home was $23,450, a gallon of gas was 36 cents and a postage stamp was 6 cents.

Also in 1970 was the creation of Earth Day — now an annual celebration promoting energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.

The event’s 40th birthday is Thursday, April 22, and the day will undoubtedly be celebrated with events in your community.

In Orion’s hometown of Manitowoc, Wis., the events are starting early.

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 17, Silver Lake College is hosting a plethora of events to call awareness to the environment. Among the events is a 5k run-walk that will take participants through pristine wooded areas adjacent to the college.

The event will also feature a rummage sale with all remaining items being donated to Goodwill. A free electronic recycling event was also part of the event; a total of 50,000 pounds of electronics was collected. The Manitowoc County Recycling Center collected batteries, plastic bags, compact fluorescent bulbs, cell phones and more. A prescription drug collection is also planned.

There will be children activities as well, including seeing live animals, crafts and other activities.

Organizations and companies — including Orion Energy Systems — will have representatives at the event, promoting energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Orion supports these initiatives to help improve the environment. Orion — through the deployment of its energy-saving technology in nearly 5,400 facilities nationwide — prides itself in having helped reduce from the atmosphere more than 6.7 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is the air-scrubbing equivalent of a 1.8 million acre forest.

For more information about the event at Silver Lake College, visit www.manitowocrecycles.org.

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Turn off your lights, support Earth Hour

By Joel Sandersen on March 26th, 2010

When the lights go in Georgia tomorrow night … they’ll be joined by a darkened Las Vegas strip and blacked out Empire State Building, as well as countless homes and businesses across the country. Is this plot of the next Hollywood blockbuster? Or maybe a series of nationwide blackouts?

No — it’s a simple public display of environmental concern. Led by the World Wildlife Fund, Earth Hour is a movement that calls on ordinary people to express their concern over our changing environment, increasing pollution and growing energy use. At 8:30 p.m. local time, residents, businesses and governments are called on to turn off all unnecessary lights. This act will show both the number of people who are concerned about energy, the environment and pollution — but it will show the participants how much energy they’re consuming to produce unnecessary and wasted electricity in their homes.

At Orion Energy Systems, we applaud movements that encourage both consumers and businesses to recognize their excess energy consumption because, if you would pardon the pun — knowledge is power. With the knowledge of the excess use of light, businesses and customers can be more knowledgeable and powerful consumers of electricity. By becoming more effective and efficient in our use of light and electricity, we can make a significant difference in our world and significantly reduce pollution.

In fact, since 2001, Orion Energy Systems’ customers have reduced their overall demand for electricity by more than 500 MW between December 2001 and December 2009. This reduction is the equivalent to a standard coal-fired generating plant, and is equivalent to reducing U.S. energy consumption by more than 10 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) over that same period.  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average U.S. home consumes approximately 11,000 kWh hours per year (936 kWh per month), one can see that reducing wasteful energy consumption whether by our homes, businesses or governments can have a significant impact.

In addition to reducing energy consumption and saving them money (over $780 million between December 2001 and December 2009), the reductions in wasteful energy use by Orion’s customers have also reduced pollution by more that 6.7 million tons of carbon dioxide, 26,000 tons of sulfur dioxide, 9,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, 130 tons of methane and over 275 pounds of mercury. These reductions are the equivalent of removing more than 1.6 million cars from the road each year, or the air-scrubbing equivalent of a 1.8 million-acres forest.

Clearly, understanding our use of electricity and its implications on economic and environmental well-being is critically important. As such, Orion encourages participation in Earth Hour 2010 on Saturday March 27, 2010, at 8:30 p.m. local time, as a way for businesses, governments and consumers to grow in their understanding of their consumption of electricity.

http://www.earthhour.org/

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Orion supports UW students, future of innovation

By Tony Bartol on February 3rd, 2010

While there are devices available to wirelessly transmit electricity at close range, some University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc physics students are exploring the idea of expanding the range of wireless electricity.

The idea of transmitting electricity through the air and over great distances is a fascinating concept and the driving force behind this project is Lorne Forsyth, a UW-Manitowoc student and U.S. Navy veteran with a strong interest in alternative energy.

Forsythe authored the proposal, which says the goal of this research is “to find new, versatile applications for wireless power transfer.”

Currently, there are devices on the market that wirelessly charge cell phones, PDA and other portable devices. This project is seeking to expand the transfer of energy for a wider application, like powering everyday devices such as computers or televisions.

At Orion, we already use wireless technology to move and use power more efficiently. Our InteLite control system utilizes wireless receivers and transceivers to turn off lights that aren’t needed, reducing our customers’ energy consumption and costs.

With that in mind, we support the UW-Manitowoc project, and have helped provide the tools they need to be successful.

“This collaboration is an excellent example of how private industry and UW-Manitowoc can engage in a joint venture of productive, long lasting value to both parties,” said campus Dean and CEO Daniel Campagna. “We appreciate their partnership in this exciting enterprise, particularly since that firm is noted internationally for its cutting-edge technology and creative solutions in the arena of renewable, affordable, clean energy systems.”

Campagna is right, this is an exciting enterprise. And not only will it help the advancement of wireless power, it will help these students learn the valuable lessons they need to be successful engineers, innovators and inventors.

Orion was founded on the premise of innovation, and we’re always looking to develop the next great energy-efficient technology. These students and their dedication can help form the next wave of great energy minds. Until then, we’re happy to provide them with our support.

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‘Tis the Season

By Linda Diedrich on December 4th, 2009

In an effort to make sure all good boys and girls have the opportunity to hand deliver their Christmas lists to the big man in red, Orion Energy Systems will make a jaunt to the North Pole Saturday, Dec. 5, to pick up jolly ‘ol Santa and bring him to Sheboygan, Wis. Santa's coming to town

Orion has donated the use of its aircraft and its pilot, Mike Voechting, who happens to be an elf working for Santa on the side, to make the trip, giving Sheboygan area boys and girls the chance to sit on Santa’s lap.

(Santa, who is good friends with Orion CEO Neal Verfuerth, said he’d gladly use the reindeer for the trip, but added Donner, Blitzen, Rudolph and the others need their rest for the big outing in a couple weeks.)

Santa is expected to land at the Sheboygan County Memorial Airport at about 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Aviation Heritage Center and will include crafts, stories, snacks and a meeting with Santa.

The donation of Orion’s aircraft — used often to bring potential customers to Orion’s state-of-the-art facilities in Manitowoc, Wis. — is one of many donations the company commits to in the area.

In November, Orion conducted a food drive that yielded barrels of food for those in need in the Manitowoc area, and the company routinely donates to charitable causes and volunteers time to area events. Earlier this year, nearly 20 Orion employees spent a weekend refurbishing a dilapidated home of an elderly woman who was unable to keep up with the upkeep.

During this holiday season, we implore everyone to help the less fortunate in their communities. A simple financial donation or a donation of time can contribute significantly to the well being of those less fortunate.

Not only will you make others happy, but you’re sure to feel a sense of pride that goes along with helping your neighbors.

In the meantime, if you’d like more information about Saturday’s event, visit www.sheboyganaviation.com.

And from all of us at Orion Energy Systems, Happy Holidays!

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Orion Energy Systems
2210 Woodland Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220 USA
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